The Twine Loft – June 2019

Passed On: Niko Clair – Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, N.S. fisherman

Clair, 29, died tragically with his cousin, Ozzy Clair, on April 8, 2019, in his home of Paqtnkek Mikmaw Nation, Antigonish County. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers and loved to teach anyone who wanted to learn. He was a prankster with a contagious laugh and smile. He often volunteered and was there for anyone in time of need, especially when the community needed a fire keeper for ceremonies or funerals. He enjoyed the water, which made his oyster farmer job that much easier. He died a hero, trying to save his crew.

Passed On: Ozzy Clair – Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, N.S. fisherman

Clair, 28, died tragically on April 8, 2019, with his cousin Niko. Family was very important to him. His children were his pride and joy, and he had a special relationship with each of his siblings. He loved fishing with his family and friends, singing and drumming, and working out at the Paqtnkek Fitness Centre.

Passed On: Rand Hartley – Mulgrave, N.S. marine engineering instructor

Hartley, 58, passed away on April 12. Born July 19, 1960 in Antigonish, he was the youngest child of the late Florence (Rand) and Donald Hartley, Hazel Hill. A red seal millwright by trade, he was employed as faculty, marine engineering, NSCC Nautical Institute, where he loved to pass on his mechanical skills to his students.

Passed On: Walter Baker – Little Liscomb, N.S. fisherman

Baker, 84, passed away on April 1. Born in Antigonish, he was a son of the late Archibald and Janette (Dingle) Baker. He was a commercial fisherman for 40 years, worked during the off-season as a pulp cutter for 35 years and worked for the Canadian Coast Guard for a short time.

Passed On: Ronald Barrett – Old Perlican, N.L. fisherman

Barrett, 92, passed away on March 1 at the Dr. A.A. Wilkinson Memorial Health Centre. He fished all his life, starting out with his brothers in a trap skiff and later in a 38-foot longliner catching cod and turbot in Trinity Bay. In 1979, he had a 35-foot longliner built by the Vokey’s of Trinity called the Trinity Queen. He fished the Trinity Queen until 1989 when he then sold it to go fishing with his two sons, Fred and Raymond. In 1992, he semi-retired but never lost the love for the water. He fished occasionally with his two sons and grandson Mitchell up until 2017, making several fishing trips a season at crab and cod until reaching the age of 90.

Passed On: Laurence Cook – Grand Manan, N.B. fisherman

Cook, 53, passed away at home on April 24 following a brief but valiant battle with cancer. Despite being born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (March 1, 1966), Laurence was a proud Grand Mananer. Returning home at the age of two, Laurence was raised on Grand Manan and after attending Dalhousie University, he returned and lived the remainder of his life on the island. He made his living as a fisherman. Starting as a deck hand, he eventually built his own business, Shadrack Fisheries. He was a dedicated fisherman. He loved the sea, the camaraderie and the industry. He turned his keen intellect to advocating for the fishery. He spent countless hours volunteering for the Grand Manan Fishermen’s Association and served in many leadership positions including on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Scientific Roundtable for Canada and was the President of the Lobster Council of Canada.

Passed On: Eric Saulnier – Melbourne, N.S. fisherman/business owner

Saulnier, 76, passed away on April 15 at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Born on July 19, 1942 in Pinkney’s Point, he was a son of the late Jeremie and Evangeline (DeViller) Saulnier. He began his career as a fisherman then became the owner/manager of Hervic Enterprises Ltd.

Passed On: John Surette – Yarmouth, N.S. fisherman

Surette, 66, passed away at the Yarmouth Regional Hospital on April 27. Born in Morris Island, he was the son of the late Luxime and Theresa (LeBlanc) Surette. He was a lobster fisherman almost all of his life, he also worked for the Department of Transportation for about 20 years.

Passed On: Vincent Boudreau – Indian Brook, N.S. fisherman

Boudreau, 56, formerly of Wedgeport, passed away suddenly on April 16. Born on August 3, 1962, he was a son of the late Abel and Elizabeth (Muise) Boudreau. Vincent was a great fisherman from a large family of fishermen. He could fish, captain and fix the boat. He was also a mechanic who did truck repairs. Vincent was a jack-of-all-trades who was good at carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.

Passed On: Ian Harris – Halifax, N.S. marine engineer

Harris, 94, passed away at the Halifax Infirmary on April 2. Born in England in 1925, he served in the Royal British Navy in active duty in various locations, including Japan. After World War II, he emigrated to Canada and lived and worked in different cities in this country. In 1990, he retired as a marine engineer working on the Saint John to Digby ferry, the Princess of Acadia.