As Families Of 2 MA Fishermen Grieve, Public Tries To Help

PROVINCETOWN, MA — A week after fishing vessel Yankee Rose sank off Race Point Beach, generous donors are trying to help the families of the two men killed.

And the fundraising is picking up.

The body of crew member Angel Nieves, 37, of New Bedford, was recovered soon after the boat capsized around noon on March 5. His sister, Makayla Nieves, launched a GoFundMe campaign in his honor and by the afternoon of March 12 had collected $11,850 toward a $13,000 goal.

More recently, a GoFundMe drive has launched to help family members of Truitt Holcomb, who was missing after the Yankee Rose went down. A 21-hour search for Holcomb was unsuccessful and he is presumed dead.

Holcomb, 61, also of the New Bedford area, was “selfless, lighthearted and always willing to lend a hand,” according to the crowdsourcing page. “He had a way of keeping spirits up even on the long, hard days that come with life at sea.”

The deaths of the two fishermen mean not only heartache for family members, but financial headaches.

The GoFundMe page for Holcomb reads: “Right now, his family and loved ones are facing the unimaginable. This fundraiser is meant to help ease some of the burden during an incredibly difficult time. All donations will go toward funeral expenses and helping his family manage day-to-day living costs in the weeks and months ahead.”

On Thursday afternoon, fundraising for Holcomb’s family had received $2,830 toward its $8,000 goal.