Frank Drake
Frank was born October 9, 1912, the son of George and Lillias Drake of Western Cove, Haystack, Placentia Bay.
Frank was a fisherman like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His favorite place to fish was near Bread and Cheese Islands and the northern tip of Long Island. In the winter, he fished for herring out of the Barachois on the western side of Long Island.
He was fifteen when his father died, and he had to take over the fishery and look after his mother and sister until his mother remarried, and his sister married and moved away.
By late 1950's, everyone had moved out of Haystack through the Resettlement program, but Frank refused to take part in what he called the "Shiften' Racket". He lived on the island alone for 12 years and reluctantly decided to float his house to Arnold's Cove in November 1969. After that, he spent most of the year back at his cabin in Haystack and fished during the summer months until he was 80 years old.
Frank always tried to preserve things the way they were - his house, stores, wharf, stage, and boats. He didn't want things to change. He liked the simple way of life, without the modern conveniences we have today.
When he passed away in 2002, he was buried in his beloved Haystack.
