I would be hard pressed to mention Uncle Vince and not include

his Partner Carmel who hailed from Parker’s Cove on the Burin Peninsula.

Carmel came to Trepassey in 1962 to work at the Fish Plant as a Fish Packer.

She stayed in the Staff House up the Hill from the Plant which was a female

Accommodation Centre.It did not take long before Carmel made her way over to

Vince’s Shop who had the Best Baloney,Chat and Pepsi in Town.

Vince was heavy into the Booze.I know because me and Cousin Ray would take the Beer Bottles out by the Wheel Barrow full everyday.

Did not take long before Carmel got Vince Clean from the Booze and he was Collecting and selling Empty Bottles himself. Carmel quit the Plant and started working in the Shop.She was a keen Business person wearing her Mans Hat like the One Rodney Dangerfield wore in Caddie  shack with a feather in it.Kept the Gulls from

Crapping on her head. They stayed a Couple until Uncle Vince passed away at age 90.

I sent him a Birthday Wish on his 89th Birthday and told him he did not look a day over 88!

Sadly they Closed up Shop after 35 years when The Cod Fishery Collapsed.It was a Cod Town.

Although Uncle Vince did not have any kids of his own.Both him and Carmel were kind and Patient with all the kids in the area.Our friend Ron said.

Who?Vince Brien?Sure,He reared every youngster in the Place.

Vince bought a small Punt from his friend the Fisheries Officer Brendan Paul.

My sister Pauline who is a year younger than me and were both kids at the time

got the honour of having the boat named after us.The Kenneth and Pauline.

Vince liked to fish as a hobby and a bite of fresh Salmon or Lobster for his Dinner.Cooked by Chef Carmel. I was only about 7 years Old and Vince

would take me out on sunny days wearing a heavy Plaid Shirt with Sleeves Rolled up.

The Boat was moored in the land wash before heading down to the lower Coast.

We would leave in the morning at high tide.The Shoals(Rocks) were very plentiful and at low tide you could walk almost out to the middle of the Harbour.

One of my tasks was to sit up front and lean over the side into the Clear water and guide us out between the Rocks.The Boat was powered by a 7 Hp Even rude Outboard Motor.I can still smell the fresh Salt Air.Head out of the Harbour without word or song.Head out to the Reach almost to the Light House at Powell’s Head(The Poles)as the locals say and haul a few Lobster Pots.The fishermen would tease me about being small and ask.Sure,You are awful small.Any good in the arse of a Dory Boy?The following year Uncle Vince put his boat out in the Backside.Mutton Bay we called it and we would Sail over around the Head of Cape Mutton and haul the Salmon Nets.Vince had a Winch that operated by cranking and turning it manually to haul up the Boat and a few Rollers under the boat for ease of hauling it up.

Sometimes I would get a day off and First Mate Carmel would go out with him.

I remember Carmel had a Bright Sunshine Yellow Chevy Nova and She would let me hand wash and Shine it for her.Boys and their Toys.

I remember before Calculators and Cash Machines.They had a Wooden Cash Box and the Math was done in their heads.Sometimes the Math would not be Mathing

And The Error was oddly enough not in the Customers favour.I remember one time

this Woman was home for a visit from the States and Uncle Vince made a Mistake

in her Order.Well.She started on a tangent about how it must be the New Math

Vince was using to get such wild numbers.

Kids would make Crank Calls just for fun.The Uncle did not mind and would Play along.One such one was .Hello do you have Big Ben in The Can Tobacco? Then,Let him out.Uncle would say Yes,And I have Robin Hood by the Bag and Laura Se cord by the Box.Would You like for me to let them Go? Always like to pay Vince and Carmel a visit when back home.That man would go to any length to put a smile on my face.Always left feeling better than I went in.I miss that Man who was like a Second Father to me.Even hunted me down in Renews when we were jamming with Perry Murphy and his Band.He was good like that.

See Ya!