Albert Morgan (Pop) was born on Cowards Island, Bonavista Bay September 21st, 1918. His parents were James and Easter (Warren) Morgan. He had one sister named Lucy who died of typhoid fever at the age of 21. His mom died 2 weeks later of typhoid fever – leaving Albert alone with his dad at 12 years of age.

Shortly after his Mom's and sister’s early deaths, Albert started working the Labrador with his Dad on the fishing schooners. He fished on the Labrador and worked for Fishery Products in Fox Harbour, Labrador (now called St Lewis) until he retired back to the seasonal inshore fishery in Burnside at age 64.

He married his first wife Daisy (White) at the age of 21. Albert and Daisy were happily married for 55 years; they had one daughter named Lucy. In 1957 they resettled from Cowards Island to Burnside, Bonavista Bay.

From 1967 – 1990 Albert and Daisy traveled to Labrador City for the Fall and Winter seasons. While in town Albert worked as a carpenter with the Hussey’s and Pete Corcoran, building and maintaining numerous properties around Labrador West and returning to Newfoundland to fish each spring and summer.

In his spare time Pop built large model schooners and long liners to keep busy in his down time in Lab City. In 1990 he built 4 long liners and donated one of these to the local heritage society – it sits today in the lobby on top of the old piano – much to Pop’s delight. Unfortunately Daisy became sick in 1989. In 1990 pop had to retire from his fishing to look after his wife. He lovingly cared for her until her death in 1994.
After Nan’s death pop moved to the Abuchi Apartments in Glovertown and then on to Birch View Manor where he now resides.


At age 80 pop started down a new path in painting the various schooners and coves as he remembered them from his days on the Labrador. He is still painting today – and gets angry with himself because he gets tired after a few hours!


His favourite saying is that he is no longer “good for nothing but ballast” – because his body will no longer allow him to put in a full day of work. Since his visit to Lab City in June he has painted a number of schooners – and drawn 60 different boots for his daughter to transfer onto a schooner quilt. He is a remarkable “young” man who remembers the names of all the captains and many of the crew with whom he has sailed over the years. He is well read and prefers books about Newfoundland and Labrador – he has such a large collection that it is difficult to find a book he hasn’t read.

Pop LOVES the Downhomer – he reads and rereads each story. In fact he can tell you what day it will arrive – because he is waiting for it to come! Pop turns 89 this September – and the best birthday present we could think of was for him to see himself in his favourite magazine. Happy birthday Pop Morgan from your family in Labrador West, Mount Pearl and Cambridge Ontario - we are looking forward to all being together next year to celebrate your 90th birthday!
  Submitted By: Karen Oldford