TIGNISH, P.E.I. — With the feeling of loss still fresh in his mind, Dennis Gaudet was happy to haul lobster traps on Tuesday for a different reason.
"There's been a lot of people passed away while fishing. It's good for the families to have this way to remember them," said Gaudet, while taking a breaking from laying traps to help construct the lobster-trap tree in Tignish.
Gaudet's brother, Lorry, died in 1996. He drowned while fishing.
"It was devastating. And the deaths last year of Moe (Getson) and Glen (DesRoches) brought back the memories of 1996. But the community's really good to help out in times like that."
Getson and DesRoches died in September 2018, while they were fishing together on DesRoches's boat the Kyla Anne off North Cape.
Following their deaths, the community joined together at the holiday season to build a Christmas tree made of lobster traps to memorialize those who were lost while out on the water and to honour those involved in one of the Island's largest industries.
Gaudet said the thought of danger, and the lives lost, is never far from one's mind.
"I fish in the area. It's always in the back of your mind ... it's hard to explain."
On Tuesday, the tree was set up for a second year. Today, the lights will be strung, boughs hung and ornaments placed with care.
"The community enjoyed it immensely last year. It's a great way to honour those gone and the ones who are still fishing," said Tina Richard, recreation director with the Town of Tignish.
This year's tree is bigger than the first.
"It's two rows higher and made up of about 200 traps. It's probably about four metres high," said Richard.
"This year we're adding little trinkets that people can purchase. They're little wooden buoys that people can hang on the tree in honour or memory of a fisherman. They can buy them and paint them or buy them already painted and mark it with the ship's name or number."
The buoys cost about $4 to make, but Richard said the purchase is by donation.
"The tree had all the people talking, last year. It's had the guys here setting up the tree talking about their time on the water or people they've lost. (The tree) brings light for a lot of people."
But the connection to the fishing industry isn't unique to Tignish.
"There are so many fishers on the Island. And if you're not one, your friend is, or someone in your family is. The tree has taken on such a life of its own. It's a place for people to come together."
Gaudet agreed.
"It brings the community together. There's a lot of people helping out, people stopping and taking a photo. It's a good thing."
This year, members of Gaudet's family will light the tree in memory of Lorry. Lighting will be at 8 p.m. on Dec. 1. Carolling beforehand begins around 7:45 p.m.
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