Newfoundlanders have such a brilliant sense of humour and outlook on life – it should be no wonder there are so many great ‘Newfie Jokes’ floating around. I know some people may find them offensive, but I take great joy from the fact that they are usually crafted by Newfoundlanders who write them in books, sell them to ‘Mainlanders’ and then laugh all the way to the bank.

Most often these jokes are born from our conversations. Just this morning I found myself engaged in such an opportunity while lobster fishing with our crew in Freshwater Bay. We have an especially hard working young man by the name of Billy Humby on our boat. Billy doesn’t say a lot and when he does its certain to either be a celebratory outburst regarding the size or number of lobster in the pot (I’ve never met anyone who loves being on the water like Billy), or some situational observation that tends to be extremely profound in nature.

This morning Billy told us that his uncle had died last night. Coincidentally, I too lost my uncle David the night before last and when I told him this he exclaimed;

“Yes boy! How old was he?”

“78”, I said.

To which Billy tossed back his head dismissively and stated;

“78? Eh boy, he never died – he lived man!”

Uncle David would have loved everything about this for he did live his life, he loved the water and he always appreciated a chuckle shared with great company. What a perfect tribute.

Please enjoy the pictures – I know my uncle would have.