Gloucester community mourns loss of Lily Jean and its crew

As the oldest seaport in the country, fishing is the backbone of Gloucester’s economy, history, and sense of community. Last week the city suffered a terrible loss as the F/V Lily Jean sank off the coast Friday morning. 

The Coast Guard responded to a signal from the boat’s Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) on Friday morning. A couple dozen miles off the coast of Cape Ann, search and rescue efforts were conducted via helicopter and boat. During recovery efforts, officials discovered a body, a debris field, and a life raft. By Saturday, officials halted remaining search efforts, recognizing that all reasonable methods had been expended. 

“Gloucester and its people are close to both of our hearts,” Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said in a statement over the weekend. “The loss of the Lily Jean now ripples through this community and brings up the hardest memories for so many fishing families. Please know, you are not alone. Today and in the weeks and months to come, Massachusetts will stand with you, not just in words but in actions.” 

Not only known locally, the F/V Lily Jean and its crew were featured on an episode of “Nor’Easter Men”, a show on the History Channel which followed the obstacles and dangers that New England fishermen faced. 

Although the names of seven people aboard the Lily Jean were not released until a few days ago, family members came forward shortly after the accident to identify their loved ones onboard. 

The seven victims aboard the Lily Jean were Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, crew members Paul Beal Sr., Paul Beal Jr., John Rousanidis, Freeman Short, Sean Therrien, and NOAA fisheries observer Jada Samitt. 

In the wake of this tragedy, the community has come together to try and support the families of the victims through donations. 

For those looking to send money directly to the families, the Lily Jean Fund has been created with the Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund as the fiscal sponsor. Contributors can donate via check or online. 

People can also donate to the Fishing Partnership Support Services to help families receive counseling, food, housing, and healthcare assistance. 

There are also some GoFundMe pages for the families of individual victims.

In addition to financial support, community members have also spent the past week trying to honor the victims’ memories, with a memorial mass held on Sunday at St. Ann’s Church.

Students at GHS had a moment of silence on Monday morning to honor the seven victims. 

“If you need additional support please reach out to your school counselor, administrator, or teacher,” Assistant Principal Allison Alves and Dean of Students Samantha Meier said in an email to students. “In our schools and across our community we will come together to support those who may be struggling.”  

Flowers now cover the base of the Fisherman’s Memorial on the boulevard, as friends, family, and citizens alike have stopped by to look out on Gloucester Harbor and pay their respects.