Jacob J. Dykstra

Jacob J. Dykstra, 88, of Marine Drive, Snug Harbor, died Saturday, July 11. He most recently was the husband of the late Kathleen (Cole) Dykstra. Previously, he had been married to the late Mary (MacIntosh) Dykstra with whom he had a daughter, Trina. Born in Wakefield, he was a son of the late Cornelius and Trina (Griek) Dykstra. Mr. Dykstra worked for most of his life in the commercial fishing industry and was a leading spokesman for American fishing interests. He was an influential voice in shaping the future of New England fisheries. He served as President of the Point Judith Fishermen’s Cooperative Association for nearly thirty years and was a member of the U.S. delegation to the international Law of the Sea Conferences for the United Nations. He was instrumental in the effort to create a 200-mile limit. Jake served on a number of marine fisheries advisory committees, including Chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from URI. During WW II, he served in the US Navy and commanded a minesweeper in the Pacific. He is survived by a daughter, Trina Dykstra and grandson, Dylan Stewart of Penobscot, ME; a brother, John Dykstra of Snug Harbor and a sister, Adrianna Herreman of Hazleton, PA. He was the brother of the late William and Theodore Dykstra. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, July 21, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM, at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Wed., July 22, at the Wakefield Baptist Church, 236 Main Street, Wakefield. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Point Judith Fisherman’s Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 386, Narragansett, RI, 02882.