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Harvey’s Salt Water Fishing Club - HISTORY
Harvey’s Saltwater Fishing Club was founded by Frank Locke in 1954. Frank approached the then owner of Harvey’s Wharf, George Elliott, with the idea of starting a fishing club and requested permission to hold the club meetings at Harvey’s Warf. George Elliott responded with a resounding “Yes”. A small group of local fishing enthusiasts consisting of 12 men held meetings several times at Harvey’s to establish the first Harvey’s Salt Water Club’s By Laws, elect officers, establish club dues and set up the first fishing derby rules.
The original Club Charter was lost when Harvey’s Warf was destroyed in the Blizzard of 78 but the spirit of the club carried on. Meetings continued to be held at Harvey’s Wharf until the club outgrew the space. Thanks to the generosity of Donald “Saco” Sartori, owner of Louis Cafe on Sea Street, the meeting moved to Louis Café’s function room. A typical meeting would consist of the business of the club as well as a guest speaker.
In 1994 Louis Café fell victim to a fire that destroyed the building and all the club’s records. Meetings were not held again until 1999 when Sam Miceli of Charles Street, Houghs Neck, reestablished the meetings and revived the club with the help of Cheryl and Jim Cowan. They expanded the club to include a juniors fishing program. The meetings were moved to the old Maritime Center on Bay View Ave, now demolished, for junior members and Quincy Yacht Club for adult members.
First Club Officers:
Frank Locke President and founder
Ed Current Vice President
Bob Allan Secretary
Paul Blowers Treasurer
John “Bing” Crosby
Joe Dinapoli
Ambrose Pizzano
Tom Goode
Owen McGowan
George Pooler
Emol Bellenger
Gerry Lyons
Bob Luftman
Vets Day
A day of fishing on the bay for disabled veterans was created by Club member Helge “Harry” Johnson in 1958. On the first Disabled veterans Day Harvey’s played host to 14 Veterans from the Chelsea Veterans Hospital. The event took place on Harvey’s Warf until the Warf was destroyed in the blizzard of 1978. The event was moved to Hurley’s Boat Rental located on Bay View Ave under a tent donated by Joe Divine and then moved to Quincy Yacht Club in 1981.
The Disabled Veterans Day Event was held at the Quincy Yacht Club since 1981. The upstairs hall was utilized to host the sit down lunch for the Vet’s. In February of 2012 the Quincy Yacht Club had a bad fire. The Club was closed to the public. The Board of Directors of HSWFC requested to use the Yacht Club Yard and hold the event under a large tent. The tent was donated by the City of Quincy, Mayor’s office. The outside venue was well received. Before the tent volunteers had to lift Disabled Veterans over the stairs to the second floor of the Yacht Club and the Yacht Club function room was to small to hold 200 veterans and the volunteers so the tent made since. The club utilizes the tent to this day.
For years the Disabled Veterans Day Fishing trip was made possible by raising money through individual donations and selling $1.00 fish donation cards at local establishments
In 2023 – John Urbanus and Mike Cheney stepped down and a new board was established consisting of.
Kevin Gomez – President
Liberty Schaaf = Vice President
Cheryl Cowan – Treasurer
Tina Lyons – Secretary
Keryn Gomez – Social Media Coordinator
Steve Holler – Fleet Captain
Today Harvey’s Salt Water Club provides a day of fishing and a luncheon reception for over 200 Disabled veterans from several area hospitals. Quincy Yacht Club host the event by providing the function hall floats and volunteers. Over 20 fishing and lobster boats are donated. 100 local volunteers give freely of their time to make this day special for our Disabled Veterans.