Wesley "Geno" and JoAnne Leech
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project is an ongoing oral history project documenting the history and culture of the commercial fishing industry and other port trades. The project was begun in 2004 in conjunction with the Working Waterfront Festival, an annual, education celebration of commercial fishing culture which takes place in New Bedford, MA. Interviewees have included a wide range of individuals connected to the commercial fishing industry and/or other aspects of the port through work or familial ties. While the majority of interviewees are from the port of New Bedford, the project has also documented numerous individuals from other ports around the country. Folklorist and Festival Director Laura Orleans and Community Scholar/Associate Director Kirsten Bendiksen are Project Leaders. The original recordings reside at the National Council for the Traditional Arts in Maryland with listening copies housed at the Festival's New Bedford office.
Laura Orleans
Geno Leech is a seasoned fisherman and poet hailing from Chinook, Washington. Born in Oregon City, Oregon, Geno's early life was far removed from the sea, with his family involved in farming in the Midwest. However, a chance encounter with a merchant seaman during a hitchhiking adventure sparked his interest in seafaring. He obtained his seaman's papers and embarked on his first voyage on a T-2 Tanker in December 1969. Over the years, Geno has served on almost every type of vessel, from merchant steamers to draggers, drawing inspiration from his experiences at sea to fuel his poetry. JoAnne Leech is a successful restaurateur and children's book author. She is the co-owner of Little Ocean Annie's, a popular fish and chip and chowder house. JoAnne has also written a children's book titled "Little Ocean Annie and her Clam Dog," inspired by her restaurant and her desire to leave a legacy for her three grandchildren. Despite the challenges of being married to a seafarer, JoAnne has managed to carve out a successful career for herself, demonstrating resilience and creativity.
Scope and Content Note
This interview, conducted by Markham Starr on September 25, 2011, at the Working Waterfront Festival, provides a detailed account of the lives of Geno and JoAnne Leech. Geno shares his journey from a landlocked upbringing to a life at sea, detailing his first voyage and the subsequent experiences that inspired his poetry. JoAnne discusses her career as a restaurateur and children's book author, her experiences of being married to a seafarer, and her family's history in the fishing industry. The interview provides a unique insight into the lives of those connected to the sea, both directly and indirectly, and the ways in which these experiences shape their personal and professional lives.
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