To my friends, neighbors, fishermen, fishing families, and everyone who has supported my effort to bring Mark Doughty home:
Thank you.
The response over these past several weeks has meant more to me than I can put into words. People have called, written, researched, shared Mark’s story, and reminded me that I am not carrying this alone.
I especially want to thank Senator Bruce Tarr.
Senator Tarr formally asked the Fishermen’s Memorial Cenotaph Committee to reconsider Mark’s case using all available information, including facts that may not have been submitted or fully considered over the past 25 years.
Senator Tarr listened, and he acted. I am grateful for that.
I do want everyone to understand where things stand today. Since Senator Tarr made that request, I have not heard directly from the Cenotaph Committee. I do not know whether they have agreed to reconsider Mark’s case, whether they have met to discuss it, or whether a meeting is planned. I simply have not been given that information, and I don’t want to speculate about what may be happening behind the scenes.
In the meantime, Senator Tarr has also helped bring together an upcoming meeting with Mayor Paul Lundberg, Representative Andrew “Dru” Tarr, and me to discuss where we go from here. I appreciate that effort, and I see this meeting as an opportunity not only to discuss Mark, but to begin a larger conversation about the future of the Cenotaph.
During this process, I have learned that four other names are also in question. With Mark, that makes five unresolved cases spanning roughly 25 years. Those families deserve to be heard as well.
We have also studied the history of the tablets themselves. Some early tablets covered only five, six, or seven years, while the current tablet has covered more than a century. The fishing industry has changed dramatically. Our fleet has changed, where fishermen work has changed, and the rate at which names are added to the memorial has changed.
I believe it is reasonable to ask whether the process governing the Cenotaph should evolve with the industry and community it represents.
I have specific ideas I intend to bring to the meeting, including modernizing the process and giving Gloucester’s fishing industry a meaningful voice in its future. I will leave those details for our conversation rather than negotiate them publicly.
What we need to protect now is the integrity of the memorial, the families it was created to honor, and the reputation of the city it represents.
The Cenotaph says something about Gloucester. I want it to say that we embrace our fishing families, honor our history, and have the courage to make something better when circumstances change.
I believe Senator Tarr, Mayor Lundberg, and Representative Tarr can help move that conversation forward, and I am looking forward to sitting down with them.
There is still work ahead. But today I want to recognize progress and thank everyone who helped make it possible.
And Senator Tarr, thank you for listening, taking action, and helping bring the right people together.
My personal hope remains the same as when this began:
Tom. Jimmy. Mark. Together.
Someday I hope to stand in front of that tablet, see my entire crew together, and finally be able to say:
I brought my crew home.
With gratitude,
Joseph A. Marcantonio
Captain and Co-Owner, F/V Starbound
Sole Survivor
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