July 11, 1910
Death of Capt. John B. Duguo
Capt. John B. Duguo, one of
the best known master mariners sailing from this port, died at his home, 19 Friend street,
last evening after an illness lasting about a week, in the 70th year of his age.
He was a native of West Arichat, N. S., born
September 25, 1840, and being the son of Abram and Joanna
(Gerrior) Duguo. Coming to this country when a young man, he engaged in the
fisheries, taking command of vessels and was very successful, accumulating a considerable
property. He was twice married, his first wife dying some years ago and later he
married Miss Maria Terrio, who survives him. He also leaves two
sisters, Mrs. Basil Comeau of Haverhill and Mrs. James Ehler
of East Gloucester, and three sons, John A. of Alaska, Farrell J.
and Abram of this city, and four daughters, Winnifred J., Mary
E., Armanda A. and Gladys M.
Mr. Duguo was one of the most
prominent master mariners at this port for years. Of a quiet, unassuming character,
yet with all self assertive and keen, of excellent judgment he gained friends and held
them and commanded the respect of all who knew him. His loss will be keenly felt in
the community.
Capt. Duguo was one of the
pioneer skippers in the Iceland halibut fisheries
and made many voyages to those distant waters in search of halibut.
While he has not been in very good health for
about a year, having actively retired from his vocation, the immediate illness which
caused his death was of only a few days duration.
[Additional information provided August 1999 by Gary Burke, great-great-grandson of Capt. Duguo:
John Baptiste (Dugas) Duguo was born in
Arichat Nova Scotia 9/25/1840 the son of Abraham Dugas and Justine
Giroir. Baptized 9/26/1840 in Arichat. In May 1856 at the age of 16 John Baptiste
arrived in Boston MA and soon afterwards moved to Gloucester where he became engaged in
the fishing industry. It wasn't long afterwards that he gained the status of master
mariner and was known from that time on as Captain Duguo. On 5/5/1860 at
the age of 21 he married Elizabeth Carpenter at St. Ann's. Elizabeth was
also from Arichat N.S. John and Elizabeth had one son.
Soon after the birth of their son, Elizabeth died.
11/22/1864 John remarried ( also at St. Ann's) to Bridget Conlon
from Sligo Ireland. They had six children. His second wife died 1/22/1887.
On 1/16/1866 John became a citizen of the United States, naturalization cert. issued by
U.S. Circuit Court MA District located in Boston MA. At some point after 1887 John
married for the third time to Maria Terrio and they had two children.
Throughout John's career as a fishing schooner captain he skippered several different
vessels. One was the CLARA D SWEET home ported in Gloucester and
owned by Thomas Douglas. Another was the CONCORD
of which Capt. Duguo was also a half owner of. The Concord
was built in Gloucester. in 1875. The funeral for Capt. Duguo was held at
St. Ann's. He is buried in the Duguo family lot at Oak Hill Cemetery,
which he purchased on 7/5/1882 from Father D.S. Healy. |
