Friendship, ME
Interviewee | Collection Sort descending | Description | Interviewer | Date of Interview | Location of Interview | Affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wesley Lash | Finding Friendship Oral History Project |
Wesley Lash, born on August 4, 1945, has been a resident of Friendship for sixty years. Together with his wife Cynthia, they have raised three sons and have two grandchildren. Although Wesley describes his occupation as "making fiberglass dust," he is widely recognized for his skill in building fiberglass boats. Alongside his boat-building endeavors, Wesley has displayed a talent for carving miniature half-hulls and small birds during his leisure time. He currently serves as a town selectman, contributing to the local community. |
Brandon, Cooper | Friendship, ME | Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School | |
Ronald Simmons | Finding Friendship Oral History Project |
Ronald "Ronnie" Simmons, born on August 19, 1948, is a lifelong resident of Friendship, Maine. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the lobster business, Simmons developed a strong connection to the industry from an early age. Alongside his passion for hunting and riding his Harley, Simmons has dedicated his life to running his business, Simmons Lobster Wharf. Established in 1971, the wharf serves as a hub for buying lobsters directly from local fishermen and reselling them to customers. |
Carl | Friendship, ME | Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School | |
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, a |
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 |