Friendship Village School

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Winfield Lash Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Winfield Lash, commonly known as Winnie Lash, was born on July 5, 1918, and spent the majority of his life in Friendship, Maine. He and his wife Barbara have been married for 63 years and have seven children, 17 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. After working at the Camden Shipbuilding Company and Bath Ironworks, he worked at the W. S. Carter Boat Yard, which was owned by his uncle, Scott Carter. When his uncle died in 1946, he and Charles Sylvester bought the yard. Two years later, Sylvester sold his share to Winnie’s brother Douglas, and the yard became known as Lash Brothers.

Shawn, Steven Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Stan Simmons Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Stan Simmons was born on February 6, 1917.  Now deceased, Stan Simmons was a lobster fisherman for 65 years.  When he was eleven years old, he moved to Friendship from Bremen, Long Island.  He has one adopted child and three grandchildren.  In addition, he was a pilot and spotted fish for purse and stop seiners for seven or eight years.  When he was asked what else he did, he replied, “You name it--everything but deliver babies.”  He served in the Navy for two stints during World War II in the Pacific, where he delivered guerilla fighters to Japanese Islands, and for two years, he was stati

Randall Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Joshua M. Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Joshua is a young lobster fisherman who has been involved in the trade since he was four years old. He has continued to pursue this family tradition ever since. Growing up in a fishing family, Joshua learned the ropes of lobstering from his father and now enjoys working alongside him and his little brother Daigan. His experience spans several years, making him a knowledgeable and skilled lobster fisherman.

Randall Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Caleb T. Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Caleb Thompson is a young lobsterman who has honed his lobstering skills for the past three years. Born in Friendship Village, Caleb comes from a long line of lobstermen, with his father, grandfather, and uncle all involved in the profession. At the age of nine and a half, Caleb began his lobstering journey and has since developed a passion for the trade. Despite his relatively short time in the industry, Caleb has already gained considerable knowledge and experience.

Brandon Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
William McKusic Finding Friendship Oral History Project

William McKusic, commonly known as Bill, was born on September 21, 1971, and relocated from Rockland to Friendship ten years ago. With a background in plumbing and carpentry, Bill has been actively involved in lobstering for the past two decades, primarily serving as a sternman. Alongside his lobstering profession, he is a father of three children.

Joshua Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Henry Thompson Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Henry Thompson, Sr., born on October 7, 1947, has been a lifelong resident of Friendship, Maine. His family has deep roots in the community, spanning three generations. Henry is a father of two children and a grandfather to eight grandchildren. For ten years, Henry worked as a lobster buyer, purchasing lobsters from local fishermen, before working as a lobsterman.  His hobby is metal detecting. 

Caleb Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Gordon Murphy Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Gordon Murphy, a lifelong resident of Friendship, was born on November 23, 1931, into a family deeply rooted in the town's history, spanning at least five generations. He was the only child of Wilbur and Hazel Burns Murphy. Gordon received his early education in Friendship, attending school until the 10th grade. He completed his studies in Waldoboro, graduating from Waldoboro High School in 1949. Gordon started lobster fishing in seventh grade. In 1951, Gordon joined the U.S. Army Reserves, and two years later, in 1953, he was called up for active duty during the Korean War.

Douglas Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Bernard and Marie Wallace Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Bernard Wallace, from Friendship, Maine, was born on December 3, 1929. Bernard, along with his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, worked as lobstermen. Both of his sons have also followed in the same profession. Having retired now, Bernard dedicated 60 years of his life to being a lobsterman. Marie, Bernard's wife, was born on November 9, 1932, and moved from Gardiner, Maine, to Friendship. Marie has two sisters and previously worked at Hood's, although she primarily considered herself a housewife.

Steven, Shawn Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
John Neubig Finding Friendship Oral History Project

John Neubig, also known as Johnny, was born on September 18, 1939, and has spent his entire life in Friendship. His family has lived in Friendship for two generations Johnny has one sister, two sons, and a grandson. Although he is currently disabled, he spent 31 years as a lobsterman, from 1954 to 1985.As a lobsterman, Johnny captained his own boat, and in the later years, his wife accompanied him on the fishing trips. In addition to lobstering, he worked as a mason and served in the Navy for two years.

Randall Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Harley Wallace Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Harley Wallace, born on May 21, 1951, is a lifelong resident of Friendship, Maine, where his family has deep roots for four generations.  Harley has lived in Friendship his entire life and comes from a family with a long tradition of lobstering spanning four generations. He has three sisters and one brother and is the father of two children with one grandchild. Harley began his lobstering journey at the age of six, accompanying his father on the boat.

Suzanne, Kristy Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School