(January 29, 2021) – Craig Pardy, PC Candidate for Bonavista, is paying tribute to Henry Vokey, a giant in the province’s boatbuilding history, on behalf of the PC Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. Vokey passed away on Wednesday, January 27.

“Born in Little Harbour in 1929, Henry showed a knack for boatbuilding when he was just 12. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and uncles, Henry started with a six-foot-long model boat. By age 25, he had built his first full-size vessel and, by age 35, when his family moved to Trinity, he had dedicated himself to boatbuilding full time. With his two brothers in 1965, he opened Vokeys Shipyard, an enterprise he would proudly run for the next three decades as he produced vessel after vessel by the hundreds. Even after retiring his business, Henry continued boatbuilding at his shed at home,” said Pardy.

“Over the years, Henry used his knowledge of traditional boatbuilding to construct more than 1,000 vessels – punts and rodneys, trap boats and dorys, speed boats and sailboats, long liners and schooners – including the famous schooner J&B, named after his four daughters, and the schooner Leah Caroline, launched in 2012, as documented by CBC Land & Sea. The Wooden Boat Museum described the launch as an important cultural event, celebrating Newfoundland and Labrador’s proud boatbuilding history.”

As a master boatbuilder for more than 55 years, Henry was honoured in 2007 with the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador and described as a kind and gentle man, humble by nature, who willingly taught his trade to younger generations, says Pardy.

“It is said that no one in this province built more boats than Henry Vokey. He will be remembered as a giant of boatbuilding in Newfoundland and Labrador, connecting us to our storied past while inspiring younger generations to take up this fascinating craft.”

For more on Henry Vokey’s legacy, find his profile and stories at:

 
Boats & Builders - https://boatsandbuilders.com/oral-histories/henry-vokey
 
Order of Newfoundland and Labrador 2007 - https://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2007/exec/1207n04.htm
 
CBC: Absolutely Newfoundland and Labrador - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/one-last-schooner-the-boatbuilding-genius-of-henry-vokey-1.2719853
 
CBC Land & Sea: Wood or Nothing - https://www.cbc.ca/landandsea/2010/06/wood-or-nothing.html
 
CBC Land & Sea: One Last Schooner - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/one-last-schooner-the-boatbuilding-genius-of-henry-vokey-1.2719853
 
Obituary - https://www.vardysfuneralhome.com/obituary/henry-vokey
 
 
Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

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