The Twine Loft – January 2019

Passed On: Ralph Atkinson – Yarmouth, N.S. fisherman

Atkinson, 52, passed away on November 21 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Born on May 15, 1966 in Everett, Mass., he was a son of the late Janice (Malone) and Peter Atkinson. He was a skilled carpenter, working on many projects including boats, houses and barns. He was at home on the water and was a fisherman most of his life.

Passed On: Loretta Carroll – Griquet, N.L. fisher

Carroll, 77, passed away on November 7. Born in Conche to Patrick and Mary Ellen Byrne, she moved to Fortune Arm where she married William Carroll. Together they had 10 children. Later in life, they uprooted again and moved to Alcock’s Point in Griquet. She worked at the fish plant for many years then later went fishing with her husband.

Passed On: Blanchard Smith – Sandy Point, N.S. fisherman

Smith, 75, formerly of Indian Fields, passed away at the Roseway Manor on November 21. Born in Stoney Island, he was a son of the late Rupert and Marguerite (Quinlan) Smith. He was a fisherman all his working life.

Passed On: Joseph Rideout – Canso, N.S. fisherman

Rideout, 82, passed away on November 17 at the Eastern Memorial Hospital, Canso. Born in St. Pierre and Miquelon, he was a son of the late George Eugene Aguste and Adele Loise Marguerite (Leclavier) Rideout Sr. At the age of six, he moved to Terrenceville, N.L. after the death of his mother. His fishing career started in his early teens, working his way up to captain. His lengthy career took him to many ports, including Denmark, Greenland and more. He worked at various companies until his retirement with Mercy Seafood’s, as Captain of the Mercy Venture. He was also a successful tuna fisherman.

Passed On: Donald Zwicker – Yarmouth, N.S. fisherman

Zwicker, 90, passed away on November 16 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Born January 7, 1928 in Lunenburg, he was a son of the late Edwin and Hazel Marie (Keizer) Zwicker. Donald was a veteran of the second World War having served with the Merchant Marine. Aside from serving in the military, he also worked as a fisherman.

Passed On: Kenneth Ehler – Peas Brook, N.S. mariner and DFO employee

Ehler, 73, passed away on November 19. Born and raised in Peas Brook, he was a son of the late Fred and Marion (Ehler) Ehler. He began his career in the fisheries as a shore skipper at Canso Seafreeze, continuing on with 25 years of service with Fisheries and Oceans.

Passed On: Frank Greenham – Comfort Cove-Newstead, N.L. fisherman

Greenham, 88, passed away on October 29 at the  James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander. He started out at very young age fishing on schooners along the Labrador Coast with his father and brothers. They landed loads of salt cod annually and most years they also fished for salmon. In addition to fishing, Frank also took a keen interest in engines and anything mechanical. From those very humble beginnings, his love of the sea, as well as engines and machinery, shaped his entire career. As the fishery declined in the early 1950s, he spent several years in Toronto, but the draw of the sea was far too great. He returned home in 1957 where he first became employed as an engineer on various small coastal vessels such as the Roundhill and Tweedsmiur with his brother Wilbur. His exceptional aptitude for numerous trades led him into several business ventures, up until 1978. Then, along with his sons, Bill and Jack, he returned to his fishing roots, including annual trips to Labrador each summer for cod. He was forced to begin scaling back from going to sea in 1985 due to a serious illness, but since then he has always remained as the patriarch of the family fishing business and steadfast supporter and mentor to many.

Passed On: Frank Earle – St. Lunaire-Griquet, N.L. fisherman

Earle, 79, passed away on November 13 at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony. He was born on April 18, 1939 to Alice and William Earle. He worked as a bus driver, construction worker, hydro diesel operator and maintenance equipment operator for the town of St. Lunaire-Griquet. However, his favourite career was fishing with his sons.

Passed On: Benoit Melanson – Meteghan Centre, N.S. fishing supply businessman

Melanson, 85, passed away on November 13 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Born in Little Brook, he was a son of the late Ulysse and Elizabeth (Comeau) Melanson. His passion was designing and fabricating fishing nets and he enjoyed spending time with fishermen and giving advice.

Appointed: Ross Wetmore – New Brunswick Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries

Ross Wetmore was re-elected on September 24, 2018 to represent the riding of Gagetwon-Petitcodiac. He was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries on November 9, 2018. Born in Campbellton, New Brunswick in 1953, Ross is the son of Mary Jane (MacKenzie) and the late James Beverly Wetmore. Wetmore was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the 2010 provincial election to represent the riding of Grand Lake-Gagetown. He was re-elected in 2014 to represent the new riding of Gagetown-Petitcodiac. During his time in the Legislative Assembly, he has served as the Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Opposition critic for Tourism, Heritage and Culture, Opposition critic for Natural Resources, and on various committees, most notably the Standing Committee on Crown Corporations and the Select Committee on Cannabis. His political experience started in 1970 with Horace Smith, a former provincial cabinet minister. It continued with executive positions for local riding associations and sitting as a regional vice-president on the provincial executive. After attending Oromocto High School (OHS), he pursued his passion in retail and meat cutting with Mulder’s Meat Market. Recognizing the value of education, he completed his GED in 1987. While at OHS, he was a standout goaltender on the New Brunswick high school championship winning 1970-71 Blues varsity hockey team. Wetmore is a lifelong entrepreneur, starting at the young age of 10. He sold Christmas cards in Germany, peddled farm fresh eggs door-to-door in Oromocto, owned with his family K&W Quality Meats and the Gagetown Marina in the Village of Gagetown, and has assisted family members with running their businesses in Gagetown. Over the years he has received several awards for business excellence. Active in his community, Mr. Wetmore is a member of Ducks Unlimited, The Royal Canadian Legion, Gagetown Branch, OTEC, Alexander Lodge #33, St. John’s Anglican Church and the Gagetown Rotary Club where he received the prestigious recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow.