James “Jimmy” Mellen, 71, the fisherman with the iconic bearded face, died at St. Luke’s Hospital on Saturday, October 29, 2011, after a short illness. Mr. Mellen is best known in Fairhaven as the man who sold lobsters and quahogs at Hoppy’s Landing in the 1990s and early 2000s.
An avid fisherman who spent both days and nights at Hoppy’s Landing as nighttime security, Mr. Mellen is credited by many in Fairhaven for teaching them how to fish and, especially, to dig quahogs. Young children from that era remember him as the man who had the cold soda.
He fished for tautog, scup, bluefish, striped bass, and often joined friends on their boats to help them increase their catches. Self-described as “the best fisherman of all those guys,” Mr. Mellen was not prone to bragging often, but did have the fisherman’s necessary penchant for telling a good story, especially to staff at Our Lady’s Haven.
Mr. Mellen was probably best known for quahogging in local waters, and was largely regarded (including by himself) as one of the best in town. During the 1990s, he dug for quahogs nearly every day.
When the media converged on Hoppy’s Landing after the Bouchard Oil Spill in 2003, Mr. Mellen’s bearded face became a favorite image of the local and regional media, appearing in newspapers and on TV stations throughout New England.
Known as a man with a gentle and generous nature, Mr. Mellen was also known for his sharp wit and humor, with an independent and rebellious side. He enjoyed dining at area restaurants, and never turned down a pizza or a properly fried fish & chips meal.
Originally from Fall River, Mr. Mellen’s early days in Fairhaven were marked by long hours at the Bayside on Sconticut Neck Road and sharing a house on West Island with friends.
In recent years, due to failing health, Mr. Mellen was not able to fish or board a boat. He did, however, spend many precious hours sitting at Hoppy’s Landing, watching the tide roll in and out. His many friends kept him abreast of the waterfront news during those visits as they loaded and unloaded their boats.
A resident of Our Lady’s Haven, Jimmy could often be seen sitting outside the OLH grounds sharing laughs and cigarettes with his many friends there.
As a young man, Mr. Mellen worked with his brother Frank running the family’s factory in Fall River.
Mr. Mellen is survived by his son, James (Jaime) Mellen of Fall River; five brothers, Thomas, William, Frank, Fred and Paul; three sisters, Jeanne Bernier, Marion Laurendeau, Marie Mellen-Thompson; and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Roger and Norman Mellen and the son of the late Flora (Brule) Mellen and Thomas J. Mellen of Fall River.
In accordance with his wishes, no formal services will be held. Donations may be made to the resident account at Our Lady’s Haven, 71 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719. Obituary online at Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, www.saundersdwyer.com/
EDITOR’S NOTE: To see an interview with Jimmy that was part of the Fathoms Oral Histories Project with the fishing community by Culture*Park of New Bedford in the summer of 2004 visit www.neighbnews.com