Twine Loft – February 2015

Passed On: Mike Maynard — Northern Lights VP and Northeast Branch Manager

Maynard passed away, peacefully at his home on September 20, after a long battle with cancer. He was 62. Maynard had worked for Northern Lights since the 1980s, when he was hired to start up the company’s Northeast branch office. His colleagues say he worked ‘tirelessly’ to build the NL and Lugger brands in the Northeast, as well as working closely with several prestigious East Coast boatbuilders. A veteran of the United States Coast Guard, Maynard was originally known for his work in developing systems to protect and assist US Military personnel in the field, including the SATS and ELAM land based generator systems. But more recently he had proved instrumental in spearheading the development of the Hybrid Marine system.

Passed On: Caroline Marshall-Hobbs — Aboriginal Rights Activist

Caroline Marshall-Hobbs died on Christmas Eve at the age of 86 in Sydney, N.S.

She was the mother of the late Donald Marshall Jr., whose wrongful conviction as a 17-year-old for a murder he didn’t commit brought scrutiny to Nova Scotia’s justice system. He was exonerated in 1990. Marshall-Hobbs helped guide Donald Marshall Jr. when he launched a legal challenge after being charged in 1993 with fishing eels out of season. The resulting Supreme Court of Canada decision in his favour found that the Mi’kmaq have the right to harvest and sell fish to sustain a moderate livelihood for their families. Marshall-Hobbs was a recipient of the Membertou Citizen of the Year Award and the Atlantic Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award.

Passed On: Gary Richard Masson Sr. — Regional Business Manager, Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary

Masson Sr. passed away peacefully at his home on January 1, 2015 surrounded by his loving family.  Born 1949, in Saint John, he was the son of the late Henry and Edna (Chipman) Masson.  Gary worked for the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary for over 16 years.  He was a former CCGA president and an active volunteer member for over 35 years.  Prior to being employed with the CCGA, he was shop foreman at Downey Ford for over 20 years. Gary enjoyed boating and search and rescue.

Appointed: Martin Sullivan — President and CEO of Ocean Choice International.

In late December, Sullivan was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Bank of Canada. His appointment is for a term ending on February 28, 2017. Sullivan is the co-founder, President and CEO of Ocean Choice International, based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. OCI has become one of the largest and most diversified seafood companies in Atlantic Canada, employing more than 1,600 people. It has received various prestigious awards and certifications, including the Newfoundland Export Award for International Marketing, the Canada Export Award, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Export & Innovation Award. He has participated in numerous organizations and associations, including as Chair of the Fisheries Council of Canada (2011–2012) and as Advisor to the Government of Canada’s Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization.

He was also Founding Director of the NL Association of Seafood Producers and has also participated as a speaker and presenter at a variety of industry events including the Chief Negotiator for the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Bank of Canada’s Board of Directors. Sullivan is from Calvert, Newfoundland and Labrador. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Running for Office — Earle McCurdy and Gail Shea

Former Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW-Unifor) president Earle McCurdy announced in January he will be seeking the leadership of the Newfoundland and Labrador NDP party. The vacancy came about after current leader Lorriane Michael announced she would be stepping down. McCurdy, who had guided the powerful union since 1993, announced his retirement on November 3. But three days later, McCurdy was back on the union payroll in a special projects and advisory role.

Gail Shea, Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced January 15 she will run for re-election in the federal riding of Egmont, P.E.I. Shea has been in provincial and federal cabinet positions for 14 years. Shea was first elected as Egmont MP in 2008 and again in 2011.