CHARLIE PITTMAN:

Charlie was born in Red Island on July 4, 1908 and moved to Merasheen when he was an infant. His father died when Charlie was 11 years old and Charlie became the man of the house, responsible for the support of his mother and sister. At his mother’s request, he was put in care of Mr. Bill Pomroy (Leo's and Pat’s grandfather), where he was allowed to sell his own catch in order to support the family. With his mother earning only $5 every quarter, Charlie spent the next few years fishing with such notable Merasheen men as Jer Moore, Dinny Walsh, Michael Pittman and Austin Pomroy. Charlie spent 14 years on the boats making his maiden voyage on the "May King" with George Wilson. At the age of 19, he experienced the great August Gale while fishing off Cape St. Mary’s. At the age of 21, he married Liz McHugh from Fox Harbour, and from then on fished out of Merasheen and carried on the task of raising a fine family. Charlie always played an active role in community affairs in Merasheen and was President of the Merasheen Co-operative Society, as well as a committee member of the Ophelia Credit Society. Charlie left Merasheen in 1967 to settle in Placentia. On December 26, 1979, Charlie and Liz celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with over 200 residents of Merasheen in attendance. Charlie along with his son, Eugene, continue to fish from Merasheen each year, and today at the age of 72 is just as spry as a 40 year old, with absolutely no plans for retirement.

TOM HOULIHAN:

Tom was born in Merasheen on December 15, 1902 on Houlihan’s Point. His father died when he was 2 years old, leaving his mother to care for 10 youngsters on an allowance of $5 every 3 months from the government. The family, perhaps more than others, depended on raising cows, sheep and hens, as well as growing their own vegetables to survive. Tom started fishing with Sylv Connors at the age of 13. At the age of 15, Tom went on the boats with his older brother Pad, and spent the next several years fishing at the Kays with different skippers. Tom married Sis on January 1, 1928 and from then on fished on his own from Houlihan‘s Point until he bought Vic Mulrooney’s house and shop and moved off the Point. Sis’ shop did a good business with the householders of the area, and as well became a favourite gathering place for all the young people on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as Sunday afternoons. Tom joined up with Jack Ennis in 1967, and since then, they have gone back to the island each year to prosecute the fishery. It is no longer a necessity for Tom or Jack, which makes one appreciate all the more, the character of men like these, and how deeply the fishery is entrenched in their blood.