Chester “Buddy” Jumonville

Born in Biloxi in 1950, Buddy Jumonville boasts a legacy of boatbuilding. His father was French Canadian, Marsby John Jumonville, and his mother, Margaret Covacevich Jumonville, was the granddaughter of famed boatbuilder “Jacky Jack” Covacevich.

After graduating from Notre Dame High School in Biloxi, Buddy attending the University of Southern Mississippi. Like many children of boatbuilders, one would find him working with his family in the Covacevich Shipyard as a laborer and carpenter. In 1970, he went to work for Ingall’s Shipbuilding in Pascagoula as an electrician installing lighting and permanent electrical infrastructure on numerous warships. Buddy worked for a period as an electrical inspector for the city of Biloxi but later found his niche in contract work for local companies. This led to his opening Biloxi Electrical Supply in 1988 where he served as Master Electrician installing electrical distribution systems in numerous wooden and steel hull boats at the Covacevich Shipyard and for commercial buildings in the area. It was in the year 2000 that Buddy opened “Jumonville Classic Hardwood Floors”, following in his father’s footsteps.

In the midst of all of these careers, Buddy pursued his passion of wooden boat building and

restoration. In 1988, he served as co-founder and master boatwright of the Biloxi Catboat Apprenticeship Program where the skills of framing and planking Biloxi-style, gaff-rigged catboats would be taught to future generations. This project, sponsored by the Mississippi Arts Commission, was overseen by his grandfather, master boatwright “Tony Jack” Covacevich.

With a true spirit of volunteerism, Buddy Jumonville joined forces with the Maritime & Seafood Industry in 2002. Over the years since, he has restored or assisted in restoring multiple classic wooden boats for the museum. Among these are the NYDIA, HALF SHELL, SEA BAT, FISH CLASS Nr. 7, which are all on display in the museum’s boat gallery. The FAT CAT and MAMA BEE cat boats are yearly participants in the “Billy Creel Memorial Wooden & Classic Boat Show” each year often treating visitors to a leisurely sail in the sound.

In addition to his wooden boat expertise, Buddy served on the museum’s Board of Directors and still serves on the Advisory Board. His contributions were especially valuable in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina which destroyed the original Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum. He distinguished himself with his tireless efforts in helping the museum rebuild and reopen in 2014, donating the 1930s family cat boat SEA BAT, built by “Jacky Jack” Covacevich, to be included among the permanent exhibits.

Buddy still generously donates his time and workshop to the museum and is regularly called upon for consulting on repairs to the historic Biloxi schooners, GLENN L. SWETMAN and MIKE SEKUL, the latter of which was completed by Buddy’s great uncle, Neil Covacevich. Both vessels are owned by the museum and are moored at the Biloxi Schooner Pier Complex.

Chester “Buddy” Jumonville has dedicated his life’s work to preserving the history and heritage of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s maritime and seafood industries. Whether it be through his electrical work or his mastery in wooden boat building, his contributions have had a deep impact. Buddy’s willingness to teach future generations boatwright trade has ensured that this art form will not be lost. Whether driven by his family legacy, or by his own passion for the community he calls home, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum owe a great debt of gratitude for his unending dedication and contributions.