14. Théodore (Ted) Arsenault

Born on 18 December 1907, Théodore was given the name of his older brother who died in infancy. When he was in his early teens, he was irresistibly drawn by the call of the sea. Although he did work briefly as a lumberman and a trucker -- he trucked fish to Boston and New York from the Island -- he spent the major part of his life getting his lobster traps ready, repairing his nets, fishing and telling fishing yarns. He indeed trapped lobster but also fished herring, mackerel, cod, sole, and scallops, and he even fished salmon out of Escuminac, New Brunswick. A real jack tar, bad weather rarely kept him from going out to sea, according to his younger brother, Pete.

Like all good fishermen, Théodore worked hard but the inevitable deceptions of the trade eventually overcame his innate optimism. He eventually abandoned his traps and nets and was given the contract as ferryman between the Island and the Micmac reserve of Lennox Island. This explains why this native community was represented at his funeral by friends whom he had made there.

The Theodore and Irene Family in 1980. Standing, left to right: Edouard, Alan, Louis, Benoit, Ted (Sonny), Marie, Paul. Sitting: Diane, Irene, Theodore, Lucille.

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