Portraits of a Working Waterfront: Photographs by Jim Hooper

Today, Gloucester’s fishing industry is smaller than it has ever been, employing fewer people at sea and ashore and witnessing an ever shrinking number of commercial fishing vessels coming in and out of the harbor. Yet, the industry hangs on, a central part of many people’s lives and an important part of our cultural identity. Since 2013, many of the people shown in Jim’s photographs have passed away including Dominic Nicastro, Grace Favazza and most recently James Santapaola, Jr. Others have moved out of the fishing industry, finding work in other fields or retiring to spend time with grandchildren.

Richard “Ricky” Beal has been fishing for 48 years and is a fifth generation fishermen. He has skippered the Explorer II and the Horizon, and owned and skippered the Misty Ann, Tub Trawler and the Eastern rigged dragger Gannet.

Left to right:
Joseph “Joe Razz” Randazzo has been fishing for 32 years and is the third generation in his family to work as a commercial fisherman. He is currently owner and captain of the trawler Razzo.
Vincenzo Taormina is a fourth generation fisherman employed in the industry for 39 years. He is owner and captain of the Miss Sandy.

Salvatore “Sal” Sanfilippo has been fishing for 35 years and is owner, captain and engineer of the Janaya & Joseph. He represents the fifth generation of his family to fish and is shown here with his fishing companion, Chow.

Seated left to right:
Vito Giacalone, Sr. and his father, Joseph Giacalone. Vito is a third generation fisherman and has worked on many vessels. Joseph is a past owner and captain of the St. Peter.
Standing left to right:
Vito Giacalone, Jr. has fished on the trawler Jenny G. and is a co-owner of Fishermen’s Wharf Gloucester. Nicholas “Nick” Giacalone has fished on the Jenny G. and is a co-owner Fishermen’s Wharf Gloucester. Marc Giacalone has fished on the Jenny G. and is an employee at Fishermen’s Wharf. Christopher “Chris” Giacalone had fished on the Jenny G., and is a co-owner of Fishermen’s Wharf Gloucester.

Top row, left to right:
Marco LoGrasso is a third generation fisherman. Sebastian “Busty” Noto is the owner and captain of the fishing trawler Grace Marie. He is a fourth generation fisherman. John Prudenzi is a crew member and a welder. He is a second generation fisherman.

Kneeling, left to right:
Vito Noto is a son of Sebastian and is a crew member on the Grace Marie. He is a fifth generation fisherman. Giuseppe Cusenza is a third generation fisherman and a crew member on the Grace Marie. Kirk Wonson is a crew member on the Grace Marie.

Standing left to right:
Scott Memhard, president and general manager of the Ice Company. Steve Scatterday was plant manager. Jeff Scatterday is Steve’s son, worked for eight summers with the firm.
Seated and kneeling left to right:
Sam Gale is an employee and assistant plant manager. Carlos Hernandez has worked in the ice house for 16 years. Greg Ortiz worked with the firm for five years.
Jason Erwin is a summer employee.

Cape Pond Ice was founded in 1848 and has provided ice to the fishing industry since that time.

Mark “Smash” Carroll has been fishing for 35 years and is the former owner and skipper of the Perigee, a commercial rod and reel vessel and tuna fisherman. Currently, Mark owns and captains the trawler Harvest Moon and fishes for groundfish, tuna, squid and scallop.

Left to right:
Silvestro Maniscalco has been fishing for 35 years. He is uncle to Accursio Sanfilippo, standing on the right.
Antonino “Nino” Sanfilippo, father of Accursio, fished for 55 years and now provides shore side support.
Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo is a fourth generation fisherman and a former vessel owner and captain. He recently sold the trawler Lily Jean and is no longer actively fishing but still owns his permit.

Left to right:
Salvatore Lupo has worked as a crew member for his father Thomas for seven years. He represents the fourth generation of the family to fish commercially.
Steve Ragusa, Jr. has fished as a crewman for 33 years.
Fred Carter has fished for 22 years.
Thomas “Tom” Lupo has fished for 37 years and is captain and owner of the long-liner and lobster boat Jennie C.

Paul “Sasquatch” Cohan has fished for 38 years and is owner and skipper of the Sasquatch II. He also owns Sasquatch Smoke House in Gloucester.

Left to right:
Joseph “Joe” Sanfilippo has fished for 17 years and represents the fifth generation of fishermen in the family. He is a son of Ignazio “Naz” Sanfilippo.
Accursio “Gus” Alba has fished for 71 years. A retired captain, he is father-in-law of “Naz” and grandfather of Joseph.
Ignazio “Naz” Sanfilippo is owner and captain of the Cat Eyes. He has fished for 45 years.

Robert “Bob” Koeller is owner of Seatronics, a marine electronics business in Gloucester. Bob has been in business for 41 years. He previously worked with the Marine Division of Raytheon.

Joseph “Joe” Sava fished for 50 years and is now retired. He previously owned and skippered the Hunter and was a long-line and tuna fisherman.

Standing left to right:
Nathan Williams is a son of David Williams and son-in-law of Joseph Testaverde.
David Williams is captain and owner of the Katherine W., a gillnetter and lobster boat. Louis Perry III has fished for two years. Joseph Testaverde fished full time for 50 years as the owner and skipper of the Peter & Linda and the Nina T., both trawlers. He also fished on his father’s boat, the Linda B., from the age six to 12.
Sitting:
Andrew Trefry is shown here with Rue, the captain’s fishing companion.

Left to right:
Paul Beal, Vito Seniti and Anthony Augustine, all crew members on the trawler Sea Farmer.
Clark Sandler, owner and captain.

Left to right:
Grace Favazza has been a member of the Fisherman’s Wives since 1969. Raffaela Terzo, member since 1999. Mariella Cannavo, member since 2004. Angela Sanfilippo, president of the Association and a member since 1969. Rosalie Vitale, member since 1977. Donna Marshall, member since 2010.

Founded in 1969, the Gloucester Fisherman’s Wives Association is an advocacy group which speaks out on issues related to the fishing industry here in Gloucester and throughout New England.

Samuel “Sam” (or) “8 Ball” Favazza worked at the Cape Ann Seafood Exchange (the fish auction) for 17 years as a grader and buyer. He is now retired.

Richard Taylor fished for 32 years and was the owner and captain of the fishing vessel My Marie. Over the years he crewed on many vessels. Richard now does research work funded through the scallop industry of New Bedford.

Left to right:
Peter Russo is a fourth generation fisherman. Lenny Russo is a fifth generation fisherman.
Leonardo Russo was 90 years old when this photograph was taken; he passed away on January 26, 2014. Leonard began fishing in 1936 in Sicily and retired 52 year later to work shore side with his sons. He was a third generation fisherman.
Vincenzo “Enzo” Russo was co-owner and captain of Miss Trish and the Mary & Josephine. He is a fourth generation fisherman. Nicolo “Nick” Vitale has been fishing as a crewman for 15 years.

William Glover “BG” Brown V has fished for 30 years and is a second generation fisherman in his family. He is owner and captain of the Kathryn Leigh which long-lines, gillnets and lobsters.

John Sanfilippo has been fishing for 60 years and is a fourth generation fisherman in his family. John previously owned and captained the trawler Giovanna and now crews on fishing charter boats. He is the husband of Angela Sanfilippo, president of the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association.

Bonnie Akerley fished for 12 years. She was owner, skipper and engineer on the swordfishing vessel Patrol and also worked on the Ocean Bell, a long-liner. Bonnie previously owned the trawler Corey Pride and currently owns the Explorer II. She is now retired from fishing but still works as shore side support.

Nicolo “Nick” Sanfilippo fished for 70 years and is a fourth generation fisherman. He was the owner and captain of trawlers Enza Rosa, Capt. Dominic and Capt. Gus. He is now retired.

William Muniz has fished for 33 years and is a second generation fisherman in his family. Among the boats he has owned were the Lady Shannon, Scotia Boat, Hollywood and Never Satisfied – all of which were gillnetters. His boat Lily, a tuna and gillnet boat, fishes on the National Geographic television series Wicked Tuna.

Left to right:
Leo Vitale worked 45 years in the fishing industry and was a vessel owner and captain. He is now retired.
Paul Vitale is Leo’s son, who has been fishing for 20 years; he currently skippers the Angela & Rose on a part-time basis. Paul is also captain of the tug boat Invader that works out of Portland, Oregon. Paul represents the third generation of the family engaged in the commercial fisheries.

Left to right:
Frank Cottone, now retired, fished for 60 years and was a vessel owner and captain.
Albert “Al” Cottone is his son and the fourth generation of the family to fish. He is the current owner and captain of the trawler Sabrina Maria.

Thomas Hill has been fishing for 35 years and is currently owner and skipper of the Karoline Marie. Previously he owned the following vessels: Stephanie Lynn and Christy Lynn.

Left to right:
Sebastian “Bikie” Scola fished for 46 years and was co-owner of the St. Peter. Other vessels he fished on were the Maryanne & Vince and the Hunter. Now retired, Bikie is a second generation fisherman.
Gus Balbo fished for 40 years and was owner and skipper of the Hunter. He also fished on the Vince N. and the St. Peter. Gus is a second generation fishermen and has two sons, Joe and Danny.
Paul Parisi fished for 13 years as a crewman aboard family vessels June Bride and Nancy F. He is a second generation fisherman.

Peter Shoares, Jr. fished for 43 years and is a fourth generation fisherman. He previously owned the gillnetters Whispering Wind and the Emmanuel. He also was skipper of his father’s boat the Naomi Bruce III, also a gillnetter.

Left to right:
John Chamberlain is deckhand on the gillnetter Ryan Zachery.
Donald “Don” Smith has been fishing 36 years and traces his roots back to New Brunswick, Canada. Don is an eighth generation fisherman and captain of the Ryan Zachery.

Left to right:
John DelTorchio has been fishing for 51 years and in addition to being John Jr.’s father, is owner and captain of the Amber & John which fishes for lobster. He previously owned the lobster boat Judy P. and the Ruth D. which gillnetted, trawled and fished for tuna.
John DelTorchio, Jr. has been crewing for his father for two years.

Left to right:
Thomas Joseph Testaverde has fished full time for 13 years, and part time for another five. He currently skippers the fishing vessel Midnight Sun half of the year.
Joseph “Turk” Curcuru fished for 40 years. He is now retired working shore side, unloading fish and mending nets.
Thomas Testaverde, Sr. has fished for 50 years and is currently captain of the Midnight Sun fishing half of the year for whiting. He also works shore side all year.

Standing left to right top row:
Leonard “Lenny” Parco, CEO for both companies, has worked in the business for 43 years.
Anthony R. Parco is maintenance man and has worked with the firm for 15 years.
Nicholas “Nick” Parco oversees internet technology and has worked with the company for four years.
Ann (Parco) Molloy is sales and marketing director for Neptune’s Harvest and has worked 24 years with the firm.

Charles “Charlie” Williams has been fishing for 12 years and is a second generation fisherman. He has crewed on the following trawlers: Lady Jane, Kathryn Leigh, Terminator, Rumboogie and Special K. Charlie is currently owner and captain of the Pisces which fishes for lobster.

David Goetemann has been commercially fishing for 35 years and is currently owner and captain of the Black Sheep which fishes for lobster. In the past, he worked on the Ruth D., Soul Train and the Lady Jane.

William “Bill” Murphy and his son Daniel “Dan” Murphy work on the Bantry Bay, a trawler that fishes for groundfish, scallops and tuna. Bill has fished for 70 years; Daniel, a third generation fisherman, has fished for 33 years.

Left to right:
Ethan Newman has been working on boats for 13 years as a sign painter.
Cheryl Newman is owner of Cheryl’s Signs and Ethan’s mother. She has worked on fishing vessels for 35 years.

Lou Williams has fished for 42 years and is a second generation fisherman. He is owner and captain of the gillnetter Pretty Girl. He fishes for groundfish, lobster and scallops.

Left to right:
Alex Theriault has fished with his father for two years and is a second generation fisherman.
Paul Theriault has been in the industry for 36 years and is owner, captain and engineer of the trawler Terminator. He fishes for groundfish, scallops and shrimp.

Left to right:
Matteo LoGrande fished for 35 years and was a vessel owner and crew member. He represents the fourth generation of fishermen in his family.
Michael LoGrande, father of Matteo and Thomas, fished for 65 years as a vessel captain.
Thomas LoGrande fished for 28 years. He and his brother Matteo now work as firemen in Gloucester.

Philip “Phil” Powell has been fishing for 33 years and is currently the owner and captain of the gillnetter Foxy Lady. His previous vessels were the Foxy Lady Too, Miss Emily and Mariam Gail, all gillnetters.

Left to right:
Camden Smith has been fishing for eight years and is a second generation fisherman.
Edward “Ed” Smith is owner, captain and engineer of the gillnetter and lobster boat Claudia Marie – and father of Camden. He has been fishing for 38 years.

Left to right:
Kevin Platthy is a crew member and a nephew of Peter Mondello.
Peter Mondello is the owner and captain of the lobster boat Allison Carol.
Jonathan Mondello is a crew member on the F/V Donna Marie and nephew of Peter Mondello.
Frank Mondello is a cousin of Peter Mondello and a crew member.

Guy Crudele is a mechanic, specializing in Caterpillar engines. He has owned his business working on fishing vessels for 36 years.

Mark Favaloro has fished for six years and was skipper and engineer on the trawler Explorer II.

Mario Orlando fished for 15 years and was crew on the trawler Padre Pio. The son of Joseph Orlando and a third generation fisherman, Mario has now retired from fishing.

Left to right:
Robert “Bob” Gross fished for 35 years as a deckhand working on the St. Jude, the Linda B., the Peter & Linda, the Midnight Sun (I & II) and the Melon III. Mark Byard has been fishing for 39 years and is a second generation fisherman. He is owner and captain of the Melon III, a gillnetter and a tuna boat. Michael “Mike” Flaherty is a second generation fishermen, and has worked in the industry for 22 years. He is owner and captain of the lobster boat Nellie and also works on the Melon III as a deckhand.

Left to right:
Anthony “T.J.” Orlando worked for ten years as a deckhand with his father, Joseph, and is a third generation fisherman.
Joseph Orlando, has fished for 40 years and is the owner and captain of the Padre Pio.

Mathew “Matt” Cooney has fished for 28 years and is currently owner and captain of the Miss Meredith. He is the former owner of the Dempist Toss’d. On both vessels Matt worked long-lining and fishing for lobster and tuna.

Frank Catania, a retired crew member and cook, worked on the fishing trawler Capt. Dutch and the Lady Jane.

Left to right:
Nina Randazzo currently works with Stavis Seafoods in Boston as an assistant seafood buyer. Formerly with Gloucester Fish Display Auction, and its successor, the Cape Ann Seafood Exchange. Carlo Randazzo is the retired owner and captain of the trawler Sacred Heart. He is the father of Nina and John, a first generation fisherman and still works on the waterfront as crewman, engineer and captain. John Randazzo skippered the Sacred Heart and the Osprey. He is a second generation fisherman and still works on the waterfront as crewman, engineer and captain.

Left to right:
Ray “Monk” Brien has fished for 43 years.
Christian “Chris” Chadwick has fished for 25 years and is the owner and captain of the Native Son.
Jim Rowan has fished for 31 years and is now serving as crew on the Fair Winds.
Salvatore “Sam” Novello fished for 61 years, was a vessel owner and captain and is now retired.

Left to right:
Giuseppe Joe Dimaio, fishing vessel owner and provider of shore side support for multiple vessels.
Accursio Gus Margiotta fishes on the trawler Capt. Joe and provides shore side support.

Left to right:
John Brancaleone represents the fifth generation of his family to work in the industry and has been fishing as a deck hand on the Tina & Tom. Sebastian Carlo Busty Brancaleone has fished on the Joseph & Lucia I, II, & III, all family owned vessels. He was captain of the Joseph & Lucia III. In 1998, Busty purchased the trawler Tina & Tom. Betsy Brancaleone has fished summers as a deck hand. When not fishing, she works at Herrick Dairy Farm, milking cows six days a week. Sebastian Leo “Busty” Brancaleone, older brother of John, has fished as a deck hand for five years.

Richard “Rich” Burgess has been fishing for 50 years and is the third generation of fishermen in this family. He currently owns the gillnetters Ryan Zachary and Lori B., both of which are operated by family members. He previously owned the Scotia Boat Too, the Heidi & Heather and the Julie Ann. Burgess is owner and skipper of Rock On, a charter boat that fishes for tuna and bass.

Douglas “Doug” Grimes has worked with Cape Ann Oil for 19 years, loading fuel onto fishing vessels.

Left to right:
Giuseppe Cusenza has worked as a fisherman for 30 years and is cook, crew member and engineer on the Grace Marie.
Carlo Cusenza fished for 62 years and is Giuseppe’s older brother. The Cusenza brothers are both third generation fishermen.

Salvatore “Salvi” Benson fished for 35 years and was owner and captain of the Sea Wife, the Sea Buddy and the Peggy Bell. He is owner of North Star Salvage and after 50 years diving, Salvi is still hard at work.

Jay VanDerpool has been fishing for 29 years, currently on the trawler and lobster boat Alyssa & Andrew which he owns and skippers.

Left to right:
Dustin “Dusty” Ketchopolus is a third generation fisherman, a captain, a welder and uncle of his crewmate Cameron. He has fished for 15 years. Dusty’s father, Jack, previously owned the Special K.
Cameron Ketchopolus has fished for one year as a crewman and a cook on the trawler Special K.

Left to right:
Antonino “Nino” Cannavo has fished for 50 years. He previously owned the Maria Giovanna and now crews on the Christina Elena. He is the fourth generation in his family to fish.
Frank Sciortino is owner and skipper of the trawler Christina Elena. He has been fishing for 36 years and is the third generation of his family to be involved in the industry.

Viking Gustafson is manager of the Gloucester Marine Railways and shipyard boss. She has been working on the waterfront for 16 years.

David Leveille has been fishing for 35 years and is a third generation fisherman. He was owner and captain of the trawler Vicky L. and currently the Angler which fishes commercially for striped bass. David is currently the Manager for Northeast Groundfish Sector II based in Gloucester.

Left to right:
Jonathan Mondello, Peter Plachowicz, Mark Plachowicz, Luke Plachowicz and Gaelyn Plachowicz.

Left to right:
Adam Novello has fished as a crewman for 12 years. He is a son of Sam Novello and represents the fifth generation of fishermen in his family.

Standing: James Orlando fished for 50 years and now works shore side support. Gerald “Jerry” Chianciola served as a crew member and a cook. Center: Russell Sherman is the oldest working skipper in Gloucester. While visiting Gloucester after graduation from Harvard, he was asked to go on a fishing trip. Loving the freedom and the lifestyle so much, he made fishing his career. Kneeling: Shawn Grasso has worked as crew on many vessels. John Aiello was 54 years old when this photograph was taken and was retired after 36 years in the business. John passed away in October 2013. He was a fifth generation fisherman.

Left to right:
Michael Buscaino has fished for 40 years and is a third generation fisherman. He is co-owner and a crewman on the trawler Caterina G.
Antonio Giacalone has fished for 48 years and is co-owner and captain of the Caterina G. He is a fifth generation fisherman.

Peter “Pete” Fadden has been fishing for 45 years and is currently owner and captain of the Catherine F., fishing for lobster.
Previously, Pete owned the following fishing vessels: Rebecca Anne, Becky & Ben, Betsy Joe, and Ellie B.

Left to right:
James “Jimmy” Santapaola, Jr. is captain of the Amanda Leigh and owner and skipper of the Shear Water. He has been fishing for 23 years.
James “Jim” Santapaola, Sr. owns the gillnetters Amanda Leigh and Amanda & Andy II, and the dragger Amanda & Andy III. He is captain of the Amanda & Andy II and III. Jim is the father of Jim and Andy.
Andrew “Andy” Santapaola is owner and captain of the lobster vessel Gannet. Along with his brother James, represents the fourth generation of fishermen in the family.

Standing: Nicolas Brancaleone previously worked for Northeast Fishery Sector III. Vito Giacalone is a founding member of the Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund (GFCPF) and NSC. Christine Sherman is a founding member of NSC and has served on the Board of Directors for Northeast Fishery Sector II. John Bell has been chairman of NSC for 12 years and is one of its founding members. He served three terms as mayor of the City of Gloucester.
Sitting: Paula Sullivan works at GFCPF.
Jacqueline “Jackie” Odell is executive director of NSC and was a founding member of GFCPF.

Jim Hooper's photographs of the men and women involved in today's in-shore and off-shore fishing industries and the shore-side businesses which support them, offer a new perspective on the face of Gloucester's fishing industry.

An outsider unencumbered by the history and politics of the working waterfront, Jim had an unbridled enthusiasm which moved the project ahead swiftly. Lists were drawn up, calls were made, and people began showing up to have their pictures taken.

Rather than portraying the individuals in their work places, Jim posed them against a draped canvas sail with a wooden spool introduced as a prop and for seating. In doing this, the viewer is left to focus solely on the individual rather than their surroundings, to consider the story each person brings to the table. Many images are intergenerational—showing a father, son, and grandson. The familial similarities are strong in those pictures. Other images capture a group cast together purely by the need to work. The dignity of each person is consistent throughout.