Saving Seafood

MASSACHUSETTS: North Shore mourns father and son killed on sunken Gloucester fishing boat

February 17, 2025 — A father and son who were killed when a fishing boat sank off the coast of Gloucester late last month are being remembered for their love of the ocean.

Gloucester residents Paul Beal Sr., 70, and Paul Beal Jr., 34, were among the seven crew members of the Lily Jean who died when it sank while returning from a fishing trip on Jan. 30.

Remembering Paul Beal Sr.

Paul Austin Beal Sr. was born in Rockport to the late Lloyd and Marilyn Beal on Oct. 11, 1955, according to his obituary. He grew up in Rockport with his two brothers and graduated from Rockport High School in 1974.

“After graduation, Paul followed his heart to the Ocean. It was a way of life for the Beal Family, dating back to ancestors in Beals Island, Maine,” his obituary reads.

Remembering Paul Beal Jr.

Paul Austin “PJ” Beal Jr., was born in Gloucester on June 22, 1991, to his mother, Denee, and father, Paul Austin Beal Sr., according to his obituary. He was raised in Gloucester and attended Gloucester Public Schools.

“As a child growing up, PJ instantly took a love to the ocean,” his obituary reads.

Read the full article at MassLive

Fundraisers collect money for families of sunken Gloucester fishing boat’s crew

February 2, 2026 — As the Gloucester community mourns the loss of the seven people who were aboard a fishing boat that sank Friday off the coast of Cape Ann, fundraisers are collecting money for the families of two of vessel’s crew members.

Remembering Sean Therrien

Peabody resident Sean Therrien, 45, was identified as one of the people aboard the 72-foot vessel known as the “Lily Jean” by his partner, Rebecca Carp, and in a GoFundMe campaign. In a Friday Facebook post, Carp said she was heartbroken, and that she and Therrien had been together for 22 years.

“He was my best friend and love of my life,” she wrote.

Therrien was a Lynn native who graduated from Lynn Technical High School, according to the GoFundMe campaign. When he wasn’t working, he loved riding dirt bikes, four-wheeling, building and racing RC cars and spending time with his sons, 23-year-old Justin and 17-year-old Tyler.

“He was a hardworking family man whose life revolved around the people he loved most,” the campaign page reads. “ … Those who knew Sean will remember his great sense of humor, his generous heart, and the pride he took in providing for his family.”

In addition to his partner and sons, Therrien leaves behind his father, brother, two sisters and many other beloved family members and friends, according to the campaign. The GoFundMe campaign had raised just over $7,000 of its $9,000 goal as of Sunday afternoon.

“This fundraiser has been created to support Rebecca and Sean’s family as they face the unimaginable — helping with funeral arrangements, household needs, and the financial challenges that follow such a sudden loss,“ the campaign page reads. ”More than anything, it is meant to honor Sean’s life and surround his loved ones with the care and compassion he so freely gave to others.”

Read the full article at MassLive