The Twine Loft – January 2020

Passed On: Malcolm MacEachern – Antigonish, N.S. fish plant worker

MacEachern, 91, passed away on November 11 at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. In his early life, when his two brothers went overseas, he stayed at home to look after the family farm for his mother who was a widower. He began his working career as a fisherman’s helper and went to work in the woods with his friend, Johnny Adams, in Economy hauling logs where he worked his way up to teamster. He had his own truck hauling logs and gravel and worked as a heavy equipment operator during the construction of the Canso Causeway. He then went to Knob Lake, Quebec to work on the construction of the airport and runway. Upon completion of this project, he worked for Coca Cola, became manager of Irving Oil in Antigonish and also drove a school bus. He was a member of the Antigonish Town Police Force for many years, eventually holding the position of police chief. He then managed St. George’s Grocery and Fisheries Co-op and was supervisor with National Sea Products. As well, he had his own trucks for hauling seafood for National Sea. At the age of 65, he was still employed, working with Silverwood Construction and Anderson Seafoods. He continued to work in to his mid-80s working at his wood lot.

Passed On: George Hopkins – Jordan Bay, N.S. fisherman

Hopkins, 92, passed away on November 23 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. He was a son of the late Stanford and Sarah (Nickerson) Hopkins of Swimms Point. He earned his living on the water as a fisherman and lobsterman, captained his own boats and built one, as well as having repaired many.

Passed On: Galen Stewart – Clam Point, N.S. fisherman

Stewart, 56, passed away on November 22 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. He was born May 21, 1963, to Albert and Violet (Waybret) Stewart of Clam Point. He was a fisherman all his life and at the age of 16 he left school to follow in his father and brother’s footsteps and loved being on the water.

Passed On: Toby Perry – Clyde River, N.S. fisherman

Perry, 51, passed away on November 17. He was born on September 27, 1968 to Tony and the late Eileen Perry of Clyde River. He was a fisherman all of his working life. He loved being on the water and being surrounded by his family.

Passed On: Brian Nickerson – Lockeport, N.S. fisherman

Nickerson, 74, passed away on November 6 at the Roseway Hospital, Shelburne. Born on March 26, 1945 in Douglas, Isle of Man, U.K., he was the son of the late Douglas P. and Kathleen M. (O’Shaughnessy)Nickerson. He joined the Navy in 1963 and after a few years returned to Lockeport and headed for the high seas once again as a cook/fisherman. He worked on the oil rigs in the mid-1980s and returned to fishing until his retirement in 2006.

Passed On: Paul Comeau – Belliveau Cove, N.S. fisherman

Comeau, 88, passed away on November 21 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Born in Comeauville, he was a son of the late Fred “à Natalie” and Marguerite Comeau. He was a lobster fisherman for over 51 years, starting at the early age of 17.

Passed On: Robert Jordan – Culloden, N.S. fisherman

Jordan, 73, passed away on November 9 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Born in New Germany, he was the adopted son of the late Reg and Thelma Jordan. He was a fisherman all his working life.

Passed On: Anthony Jacquard – Wedgeport, N.S. fisherman

Jacquard, 76, passed away on November 23 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. He was a son of the late Dennis and Isabelle (Fitzgerald) Jacquard. He was a lobster and scallop fisherman all his working career. He loved fishing, especially with his son on the boat in the summer, helping to band lobsters with him.

Passed On: Rose Karnes – Ottawa, ON Department of Fisheries and Oceans negotiator

Karnes, 66, formerly of Woodstock, N.B. passed away on November 11 in Ottawa, Ontario. She was the daughter of the late Kenneth J., and Gertrude Mary (Donovan) Karnes. She was born in Woodstock, N.B. on Feb 13, 1953. During her undergrad, she volunteered with the Xplore-X community outreach program, until she proudly graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1975. After graduation, she took the bus to Calgary where she secured a job with Dome Petroleum. This opportunity landed her on drillships on the Beaufort Sea off the coast of the Northwest Territories. Dome brought her from Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik, conducting meetings with high-level executives and politicians, while making friends and lasting impressions along the way. In 1988, she moved to Toronto and worked at Queens Park for Christine Hart. Her reputation preceded her and was sought out to work for MP Ethal Blondin on Parliament Hill. She eventually joined the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, where she was instrumental in negotiating fishing treaties with the aboriginals. Chiefs would specifically request for her to head negotiations, demonstrating how exemplary she was at this role.

Passed On: Paul Roach – Cheticamp, N.S. boat builder

Roach, 91, passed away on November 16 at the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre, Cheticamp. He was the son of the late Patrick (Padé) and the late Marianne (LeFort) Roach. He worked at Fraser and Chiasson Building Supplies as a carpenter for many years and later was employed by Cheticamp Boatbuilders as a master boatbuilder until he retired.

Re-appointed: Members of the N.L. Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel

Wayne Follet (chairperson) and William Carter (regular member) have been re-appointed for three-year terms, effective January 10, 2020. Established in 2006, the Standing Fish Price-Setting Panel is responsible for annually identifying, in consultation with stakeholders, particular fish species for collective bargaining; collecting and disseminating market information; establishing parameters for negotiations; facilitating collective bargaining; setting hearings; and where necessary, acting as an arbitration panel in setting fish prices when the parties have been unable to agree.

William Carter grew up on the south coast of Newfoundland and has been involved in the fishing industry for most of his working career. After graduating from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, he began working in the private sector with Fishery Products International Limited. He later entered the public service and worked with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture for nine years before moving to the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation. Returning to the south coast in 2002, Carter worked in senior plant management positions with Ocean Choice International and Cooke Aquaculture Incorporated. He currently lives in Harbour Breton where he manages and operates his own small business.

Wayne Follett is a part-time consultant offering services in business management and planning, fisheries management and public policy. Follett is the former President and CEO of Marine Atlantic Inc. Prior to this he worked for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans including time as a Regional Director of Fisheries Management, Regional Director of the Canadian Coast Guard and seven years as a Regional Director General for the Newfoundland Region. In 2007, Follett co-chaired a Task Force on the Renewal of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fishery reporting to the Premier and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. In 2016, he served as a member of the Ministerial Panel on Last In, First Out in the Northern shrimp fishery. Follett has been a member of numerous boards including One Ocean, the Marine Institute and the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation. He recently served as the Public Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Surveyors Council. Follett attended Memorial University and is a chartered professional accountant.

Awarded: Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Winterton-based museum was recently presented with the Community Leadership Award at the Canadian Tourism Awards in Ottawa. The museum is a living-library of irreplaceable Newfoundland and Labrador boat building skills and knowledge, as well as a cultural tourism experience.