Passed on: Emery White
Yarmouth, N.S. fisherman
White, 79, passed away on December 7. He was born on November 8, 1946 to the late Albert and Mary (Nickerson) White. Fueled by his love of the sea and salt air, Emery was a fisherman most of his life. He owned several boats named the Dot & Dick and his last one is still on the water today. After his retirement from fishing, he sold boats for TriNav Marine Brokerage for several years. He loved being outside mowing his lawn, whether needed or not, and it was one of his most recent hobbies. His garage is where he liked to spend his later days puttering and listening to music. He would then get the itch for a cruise and in the passenger seat he would go with the country music pumping. His outings shopping and socializing made him very happy.
Passed on: Roger Stirling
Lower Sackville, N.S. former president of Seafood Producers Association of Nova Scotia (SPANS)
Stirling, 80, passed away on December 9. Born on August 12, 1945, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Roger was the loving son of Clarence Hedley Stirling and Florence Stirling (née Sheppard) and the older brother of Charles Howard Stirling. In the summer of 1970, he began what would become a remarkable five decade career as president of Seafood Producers Association of Nova Scotia (SPANS), where he worked until his retirement in March 2022. His work with SPANS took him around the world and into rooms where his sharp mind and unshakable confidence made him a force with which to be reckoned and he took advantage of every opportunity it had to offer. He often said it was the best job he could ever imagine and he never thought it felt like work. While he was an icon in the world of seafood, the entrepreneur in him could not be contained. He spent over 40 years investing in real estate. He saw promise where others did not, had the patience to wait for the right moment, and would never pass up a good deal, and no one dared try to stop him.
Passed on: Richard Conrad
Liverpool, N.S. fish plant worker
Conrad, 90, passed away on December 13. Born in Milton, Richard was a son of the late Mary Conrad.
Richard worked for C.W. McLeod’s Fisheries as a fish processor and for Nova Scotia Power cutting out transmission lines.
Passed on: Jonathan Grist
North Sydney, N.S. fisherman
Grist, 41, passed away on December 6. Born on June 27, 1984, Jonathan was on the move from the moment he could walk. He had an adventurous spirit and deep love for the water and the outdoors. Hunting brought him joy, but fishing was his true passion. Whether he was out on the water hauling and setting traps, long lining, or casting a lure along the shores of the Bras d’Or, Jonathan was never happier than when he was surrounded by nature.
Passed on: Richard King
Belleville, N.S. fisherman
King, 69, passed away on December 13. Born in Sandy Point, Shelburne County, he was the son of the late Winslow and Mildred (Devine) King. A welder by trade, but chose a life as a fisher, deeply connected to the sea, to family, and to the simple joys that made every day worth celebrating. Ricky spent the first 23 years of his life in Shelburne County, where his bond with the water began at an early age. He later moved to Yarmouth for several years before eventually settling in Tusket, Nova Scotia, where he and his family made their home. Tusket remained his place of comfort and pride until 2021, when he moved to Queens County, continuing to enjoy the lifestyle he loved most, close to family, nature and the water.
Ricky’s life’s work was more than a career — it was a calling. At 17, working the backs of many boats, fishing for lobster and groundfish with determination and grit well beyond his years, fishing from the coldest waters of the Flemish Cap to the ripping tides of Briar Island. Through hard work and dedication, he earned his way into the captain’s chair of his own lobster boat at the age of 29. From there, he continued fishing with pride and passion until his retirement at the age of 65. The sea was where he felt most at home, and it shaped the man and loving husband and father he became.
Passed on: Paul Creamer
L’Ardoise, N.S. fisherman and fish plant worker
Creamer, 78, passed away on December 5. He was born on May 3, 1947 in Philips Harbour, Guysborough County to the late Percy and Margaret Creamer. Paul worked a variety of jobs throughout his lifetime. He was a lobster fisherman, a construction worker, general labourer, fish plant employee and jack of all trades in several counties throughout Nova Scotia.
Passed on: Joseph Hanrahan
Lunenburg, N.S. fisheries observer
Hanrahan, 68, passed away on December 15. Born in Little Bay, Marystown, N.L., he was the son of the late Philip and Mary Ann (Kelly) Hanrahan. Joe grew up with salt air in his lungs and the sea in his soul. His life was spent by the ocean, earning respect for his kindness, steadfastness and dependability. His career included time aboard foreign vessels as a fisheries observer, where he delivered training and took pride in creating its official manual. In later years, Joe continued his commitment to the maritime world through his work with Fisheries and Aquaculture, always striving to support fishermen and freshwater hobbyists.
Passed on: Ralph Hartlen
Saint John, N.B. Canadian Coast Guard
Hartlen, 76, passed away on December 11. Ralph was born on June 30, 1949 in Halifax, N.S. to the late Kenneth and Marie Hartlen. After obtaining his engineering degree from Dalhousie University and Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS), he moved to Saint John and started his job with the federal government. Ralph loved his job with the Canadian Coast Guard. He oversaw all construction projects for wharves and lighthouses on the Bay of Fundy and P.E.I., often flying by helicopter to remote locations, befriending the locals and lighthouse keepers along the way.
Passed on: David Duckworth
Yarmouth, N.S. fisherman
Duckworth, 69, passed way on December 15. Born on December 2, 1956 in Yarmouth, he was a son of Barbara Emily (Clive) Duckworth and the late Frank Joseph Duckworth. David was a fisherman all his life.
Passed on: Donald Baker
Gaetz Brook, N.S. fisherman
Baker, 68, passed away on November 30. From a young age, Donnie followed in his father’s footsteps as a fisherman. He became a business owner and proud Captain of the Chelsea Daniel before retiring early to explore other paths, including work as an offshore at-sea observer, dockside monitor, carpenter’s helper and handyman. Though his career shifted, Donnie remained a fisherman in heart and soul. In his later years, he found joy in selling fish, staying connected to the industry he loved and making new friends.
Passed on: Gerald Sears
Barrington, N.S. fisherman
Sears, 78, passed away on December 17. Born on December 22, 1946, Gerald lived a life rooted in family, hard work and a deep love for the outdoors. A fisherman at heart, he found joy on the water and peace in nature. He also loved hunting and, above all else, spending time with his family.
Passed on: James Harris
Yarmouth, N.S. fisherman
Harris, 89, passed away on November 26. Born on April 7, 1936 in Little River Harbour, he was a son of the late Alfred and Hilda (Doucette) Harris. James will be remembered for his strong work ethic. A fisherman most of his life, he also worked construction helping to build the Yarmouth ferry terminal and nurses’ residence. He was a wealth of traditional knowledge, always willing to share everything he knew about fishing, hunting, gardening, wildlife, nature and local history. The highlight of his hunting career was a Canada moose with antlers scoring 226⅞, making him a Big Game Society of Nova Scotia champion.
Passed on: Ross Malloch
Campobello Island., N.B. fisherman
Malloch, 69, passed away on December 2. Born in Eastport Maine, he was the son of the late Witman and Isabelle (Henderson) Malloch. A hard worker, Ross enjoyed his career as a fisherman. He will be remembered for his loving and caring personality. Ross loved to golf and play darts and cribbage at the Legion with friends. He will be fondly remembered by the fishing community of Campobello Island.
Passed on: Neil MacDonald
Miramichi, N.B. DFO fisheries officer
MacDonald, 75, passed away on December 16. Born in Campbellton, he was the son of the late Allan and Etta (Brown) MacDonald. Neil worked for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as a Fisheries Officer and enjoyed fishing, boating and drives in the woods.
