Passed on: Gail Shea
Tignish, P.E.I. former Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Shea, 66, passed away on August 21. Born in 1959 in Prince Edward Island, Gail was known for her unwavering passion for politics and her tireless work in advocating for the interests of her constituents. She was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 2000 to 2007, representing District 27 Tignish-Deblois. During her time in the provincial legislature, she served as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Status of Women as well as Minister of Transportation and Public Works. Her most proud accomplishment was advocating and pushing to have Route 2 designated as part of the Trans Canada Highway system. Gail’s dedication and leadership in provincial politics laid the groundwork for her later success at the federal level. Gail served as a Member of Parliament for the riding of Egmont from 2008 to 2015, representing the Conservative Party. During her time in office, she held various important roles, including Minister of National Revenue, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Gail was instrumental in shaping policies that affected rural communities, particularly in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and taxation. Her dedication to her work earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and constituents alike.
Passed on: Albert Hynes
Canada Harbour, N.L. fisherman
Hynes, 79, passed away on August 26. Albert was born in 1945 in Canada Harbour and always called it home. Up until a couple of months before his death, he could be found early mornings down in the Gut with Verg on the water fishing.
Passed on: Catherine O’Brien
St. John’s, N.L. DFO fisheries consultant
O’Brien, 85, passed away on August 13. The youngest of fourteen children, she was the last surviving member of her generation. Born to Michael J. and Catherine O’Brien (nee Cantwell). Kitty lived her entire life in St. John’s. She was educated at Mercy Convent School and continued post-secondary studies in nutrition and dietetics at Mount St. Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her career with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans spanned over thirty years. In her capacity as consumer consultant, she was afforded the opportunity to travel to world-wide destinations as an ambassador to promote Newfoundland fish products. It was a role she embraced and a job she loved.
Passed on: Rex Crowly
Grand Bank, N.L. mechanical engineer
Crowly, 72, passed away on August 16. As a mechanical engineer at the fish plant in Grand Bank, he worked long hours with unwavering dedication. He was a true work horse but always made time for the things he loved. Rex rarely kept still — unless it was to eat, have a beverage, enjoy a game of crib, or listen to Emily sing and play guitar. Having volunteered with the Canadian Rangers for years, Rex will be remembered for his love of nature.
Passed on: Charlie Oates
Renews, N.L. mariner
Oates, 93, passed away on July 31. A hardworking man of the sea, Charlie spent many years on boats, retiring after 30 years with CN Marine.
Passed on: Cyril Penney
Stag Harbour, N.L. fisherman and boatbuilder
Penney, 94, passed away on August 6. Cyril leaves behind a legacy of love, quiet strength and ingenuity. A devoted husband to Bernice, their bond was truly something special. Side-by-side through life, they even fished together in their small open boat when Cyril worked as a fisherman — a testament to their deep companionship and shared life. In 1958, they moved from Indian Islands to Stag Harbour, Fogo Island, where Cyril built their family home with his own hands — a lasting symbol of his determination, resourcefulness and deep care for those he loved. A craftsman, Cyril not only built his own boat but built and sold over 40 inshore fishing boats. Cyril was a quiet and unassuming man, known for his inventive spirit. Whether it was designing a block and tackle system to haul his boat from the water or crafting tools to ease his daily work in the garden or on the sea, he always found practical and clever ways to make life more efficient. He took great pride in being able to do so much with so little.
Passed on: Guy Hackett
Marystown, N.L. mariner
Hackett, 77, passed away on July 20. He was born on August 19, 1947, in English Harbour East, N.L. to Clayton and Winnifred Hackett. He was raised in English Harbour East where he was the fourth child and first-born son of a family of nine children. Guy realized at the age of 15 when he joined his dad, Clayton, on a fishing schooner that he would make his living on the water. Shortly thereafter he secured his first job as a deckhand on the Blue Haze. He transitioned to deep-sea trawlers some time later and completed his training to become an engineer where he stayed until the fishery closed with the cod moratorium in 1992. No stranger to hard work or a challenge, Guy completed training in his mid-forties to become an engine room assistant. His first position on a vessel outside the fishery was on the John Cabot, which he secured with an agreement to go to Korea to bring the vessel back to Canadian waters to lay fibreoptic cable on the ocean floor. His last position on the water was as an engine room assistant on the Kometik, a large oil tanker. In addition to his career on the water, Guy was an organizer for the fishermen’s union in both Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. He was an advocate and strong supporter for the rights of fishermen and played a valuable role in the formation and continuation of the fishermen’s union, a contribution he was very proud of.
Passed on: Margaret Cunningham
Liverpool, N.S. fish plant worker
Cunningham, 88, passed away on August 11. Born in Southwest Port Mouton, Queens County, N.S.,Margaret was a daughter of the late Charles L. and Nina R. (Huphman) Williams. She was a former fish packer and cutter for C. W. MacLeod’s Fisheries in Port Mouton.
Passed on: David Taggart
Yarmouth, N.S. mariner
Taggart, 84, passed away on August 5. His working career started at the age of 13 years old in a local fish plant. In 1960, he went fishing and in 1968 joined the crew of the M.V. Bluenose ferry where he worked as seaman, chief officer and relief captain until 1997 when they discontinued the service of the Bluenose operated by Marine Atlantic. He worked for two more years under Bay Ferries. In January 1999, he went to work for Transport Canada as a Marine Surveyor where he continued to work until he retired on February 10, 2006, at age of 65.
Passed on: Lawrence Woods
Clark’s Harbour, N.S. fisherman
Woods, 60, passed away on August 22. Born in Stephenville Crossing, N.L., he was the son of Eunice Young and the late Larry Woods. He was a fisherman all of his working life.
Passed on: William Kean
Shelburne, N.S. fisherman
Kean, 47, passed away on August 4. He was the proud captain of the fishing vessel Surf & Turf. He wore many hats throughout his full, but far too short life. The ones he wore most proudly were partner, captain, friend, uncle and gramp. He was also a proud member of the Freemasons of Nova Scotia, Albert Lodge No. 30.
Passed on: Dana Green
Grand Manan, N.B. fisherman
Green, 72, passed away on August 23. Born in North Head on Grand Manan Island, he was the son of the late Walter and Roberta (Smith) Green. He began purse seining with his father at a young age before beginning to lobster fish, first with his father, then with his brother Tracy until he was 65.
Passed on: Thomas Baker
Northeast Point, Cape Sable Island, N.S. maintenance engineer
Baker, 75, passed away on August 4. Born on June 21, 1950, in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Jean (Crowell) and William Harrison Baker, Tommy moved to Cape Sable Island when he was just three months old. He was a retired maintenance engineer. He worked on filleting and skinning machines (trained by Baader) at both Connor Bros and Cape Breeze Seafoods for many years. After he retired, he was a dockside monitor in the community and he was well known by many.
Passed on: Mervin Brannen
Clam Point, N.S. fisherman
Brannen, 86, passed away on August 1. Born on March 29, 1939, he was a son of the late Clayton and Evelyn (Fox) Brannen. Mervin spent the majority of his life on the water, spending many years on long hauling trawl boats and also spent many years lobstering until he was unable due to health at 77 years old. His biggest pride was spending time mossing with his oldest grandson Christopher.
Passed on: Cleverly Smith
Baccaro, N.S. fisherman
Smith, 84, passed away on July 28. He was the son of the late Gerald and Mina Smith of Baccaro, N.S. Cleverly was a self-taught man of many talents, including carpentry, music, making beautiful crafts that have gone to places far and wide and so much more. He was a fisherman most of his life, but enjoyed being a light keeper, avid duck and deer hunter, going to the camp and in later years bass fishing, sailing and hand lining with his sons.
Passed on: Frank Mood
Upper Woods Harbour, N.S. fisherman
Mood, 73, passed away on July 23. Born on December 3, 1951, he was a son of the late Frank Sr. and Mary (Etherington) Mood. He spent the majority of his working life rock weeding.
Passed on: Malcolm Wright
Rothesay, N.B. fisherman
Wright, 80, passed away on August 6. Born on January 28, 1945, in Saint John, he was a son of the late Albert and Phyllis (Smith) Wright. Malcolm was a fisherman by trade, enjoying the open waters.
