My good friend Max Short was born on Dec. 24, 1936 and recently passed away on Oct. 25, 2025.
I was born the same year as Max and first got to know him in 1977, the first year I returned to the fishery. I was fishing out of St. Anthony and Max was working with the Provincial Dept. of Fisheries.
He started off in life as an inshore fisherman and later became one of the leaders of the Fisherman’s Union. Max and I were founding members of the Canadian Sealers Association and worked together for 16 months.
He later became a senior advisor to the federal Minister of Fisheries and worked closely with the Prime Minister.
Max was also a Member of the Fisheries Resource Council (FRCC), member of the Harris Panel reviewing the state of Northern cod and served on the Salt Fish Corporation. He also received the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and the King Charles III Coronation medal.
Max spent his life working at fisheries issues in an effort to make things better for the rural parts of this great province. His knowledge of the fishing industry was second to none and he did it well. But he never forgot his roots.
Through it all Max remained my friend, one I will never forget.
Bon voyage dear friend until we meet again.
Wilfred Bartlett
Conception Bay South, N.L.
