Freddy Maugatai’s claim to fame can be traced back to the year 2008, when he first appeared on captain Murray Gamrath’s F/V (Fishing Vessel) Cornelia Marie in one of the world’s all-time most popular TV series, entitled “Deadliest Catch.” Hunting king crab and gathering walrus tusks in the frigid waters of the Bering Sea is no easy task, but Freddy proved to be the right man for most of those jobs, known for his hot-bloodedness and inextinguishable energy.

The Samoan native quickly gained the attention of most viewers, mostly thanks to the difference between his personality and that of most other cast members. He was like a breath of fresh air to those wishing to witness more aggressive men take part in the freezing grind, but that trait had less-than-desired effects for Maugatai over the course of the show.

Discovery Channel itself loved showing off just how unpredictable and wild Freddy can be at times, often taking video clips out of the series to post on YouTube in an attempt to grow the series’ audience even more. One such example is the video entitled “Deadliest Catch – Savage Freddy,” which shows Maugatai in rather unexpected circumstances.

Hailing from a rather small island in the Pacific Ocean, Freddy certainly brings a degree of unfiltered savagery to the show, as he is more than proud to show off the ancient ways of his people whenever given the chance.

In this case, he was seen performing a ritual alongside another deckhand on the F/V Wizard, captained by Keith Colburn, with whom he started working in the seventh season in 2011. Specifically, Freddy spread the sides of a freshly caught fish and let the innards as well as blood flow into his mouth, some of which he drank while spitting out the rest.

The appalled crew members watched with morbid curiosity and an uncomfortable smile as Maugatai proceeded to widen the fish even more, to the point where it could pretty much wrap around his face. He then pressed it hard against his forehead and rotated it around his head, smearing its entirety in the blood.

Captain Colburn himself had seen things most people haven’t, but Freddy’s macabre tendencies were always something to behold for everyone on board. Keith chuckled and looked Freddy’s way, asking him through the radio to turn around and show his face. After seeing the blood-soaked joyful expression on his deckhand’s face, the captain couldn’t help but laugh.

Another crew member said ‘Freddy has a good luck ritual of eating the blood from a cod and turning it into warrior paint. That’s too hardcore for me. Freddy’s a savage man.’ Maugatai didn’t stop there though, instead offering another fresh cod carcass to a crewmate named Kevin, saying ‘Do it!’

The man reluctantly accepted, managing to chug a significant amount of fresh blood before choking on it and beginning to cough heavily. Freddy proudly explained that ‘It’s what we used to do when we go hunting back home. It’s our tradition. Cut the bait, drink the blood, paint your face.’

Understandably, it’s actions like these that instantly had everyone’s eyes glued to the screen, which benefitted the entire cast and crew of the series in the long run. That said, while it was indeed profitable to display rather unconventional behavior for the whole world to see, the personality and temperament that enabled these stunts would end up being Freddy’s gradual downfall.

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Ritual perpetratora

Part of what made any crew that Freddy was involved in stand out from the rest was his tendency to incorporate various Samoan customs into the crew’s day-to-day, which always made for interesting television. Of course, not everyone would always be in the mood for such trivialities, but the greenhorns didn’t really have much of a choice, as it was customary to disregard their arguments simply due to a lack of experience on the open sea.

Such was the case in late June 2013, when a brand new member of the Wizard was just performing his duties on the upper deck, and Freddy decided that the rookie simply had to join in on the ritual he recently came up with.

At the time, some of the crew members were randomly opting to get mohawk-style haircuts, the idea of it being to symbolize that one is part of the crew. According to Samoan customs, most of the warriors and sailors had very similar haircuts, and tribes would often sport a particular hairstyle as a sort of social signature.

Wishing Freddie Maugatai a very #HappyBirthday today. #Deckhand #DeadliestCatch #Wizard pic.twitter.com/h7NOCU8oMR

— Capt Keith Colburn (@crabwizard) February 4, 2015

Maugatai obviously thought it was a good idea to bring this practice to the deck, and it looks like most of the other shipmen loved it, which naturally resulted in mass approval from the viewers as well.

Freddy just had the idea as they were on the way to a fishing spot, saying ‘About that time for the Wizard’s mohawk kinda style, so I hope it’ll give us a little luck.’ Captain Keith was immediately on board with the idea, ordering him to go ask greenhorn Dane whether he’s ‘interested in helping [their] cause.’

Freddy’s vocabulary was always rather unique too, which was clearly heard when he called for the less-experienced sailor, yelling ‘Hey, horndog! Horndog! Big bossman is calling us for the Wizard haircut special. Bring us some luck. Come on. You have no choice anyways.’

Shocked at what he was hearing, but still thinking it’s just an innocent joke, Dane casually explained ‘Nah, I don’t want a haircut.’ Maugatai was already getting visibly agitated, saying ‘No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Don’t even f***ing say that.’ It was clear to everyone watching that Freddy wasn’t leaving without the greenhorn, telling him this while hosing him down.

Keith admitted to the camera ‘I know if I was a greenhorn on the boat, and Freddy was on the boat, and said ‘Hey, we’re givin’ the rabble mohawks for good luck,’ I’d just say ‘When, sir?’ ‘Where do I donate my hair, sir?’’

The rookie was still in disbelief at what was happening, becoming visibly more confused and appalled as the cameras kept rolling. Freddy decided to make it easier for the rookie and explained ‘Hey, if you wanna f***ing keep a job on here, you do exactly what the captain asks you to do.’

As Dane just stared blankly at the floor while listening to the orders, Freddy added ‘Or I’ll just f***ing slap your ass all the way to that dock. Throw all your s**t over the side.’ Dane said ‘This is some frat-boy stuff. I’m not joining a cult.’ Maugatai simply responded with ‘You’re not joining? Damn, this is gonna be your last season, trust me. Tellin’ ya. You’re not gonna get a haircut – you get ready to head off.’

The greenhorn felt the need to defend himself, hoping to evade this strange ritual at any cost, saying ‘I work hard. I don’t have to get a f***ing haircut.’ It was all for naught though, as the crew indeed believed in the supposed magical power of this seemingly worthless gesture, and now Dane was seen as someone refusing to afford this blessing to the rest.

Another deckhand spoke with great conviction, explaining ‘Reason we do our haircuts, ‘cause it brings luck to this little girl. Freddy started it a long time ago on the Cornelia Marie, they had a bunch of downtimes, all got mohawks, things turned around.’

The shipmate turned out to be pretty serious about this, as both Dane and the audience would soon come to find out. He also added ‘Ever since we’ve done it on here, turns around. Get these tanks full, get off-loaded. What’s the worst that’s gonna happen? You’re gonna look goofy? You already do.’

As the rookie had no words left to state and simply exited the cabin, Maugatai followed suit. The crewmate who had just spoke then just said to the camera that ‘Freddy can make your life miserable, certified.’ Sure enough, there he was, ordering the greenhorn to come back and talk to him.

The conversation became rather violent at that point, with Freddy asking ‘You wanna work on here for a long period of time? You wanna keep your job for a long period of time on here?’ Dane immediately said ‘Yeah, but it shouldn’t matter about a haircut.’

He was immediately interrupted by Maugatai yelling ‘F**k that! We f**king ask you something to do, you f**king do it. Show your f**king price, show you’re a f**king part of the team. You don’t get that f**king haircut – you’ll make your life miserable if you bein’ around here, I’m serious.’

Trouble with authority

In spite of rather frequent bouts of berating other crewmates with the mouth of a true sailor, Freddy had a pretty solid standing with his ship’s captains Keith and Monte Colburn for most of the time there, but even that ended up hanging by a thread as the series developed further.

His presence in the series suddenly came into question mid-season seven in 2011, as Monte decided he’d just had enough of Freddy’s fickle and unpredictable mentality, owing to a literal refusal of direct orders.

The crew were all set to depart for a fishing trip, except for Maugatai, who had his feet on the table in a local tavern and refused to stop drinking and join the others. Not willing to even dignify the situation, Monte simply ordered the men to take all of Freddy’s belongings out and leave them on the dock, after which they set about their business.

Many fans who appreciated the Samoan’s presence were outraged to see this happen, but their plight wouldn’t last too long, as the eighth season would continue to showcase the sailor, who appeared to have fixed things with the captains. Everything seemed great again in the latter half of 2011, but another incident then took place.

Clashing with the law

The issue with Maugatai, whose real name is Feleti, is that this persona wasn’t just a stunt for the audiences around the globe – it was who he genuinely was. As expected, not every place is as tolerant as a ship full of testosterone-charged crab hunters risking their lives in open waters, and he learned this the hard way.

In December 2011 Freddy faced a misdemeanor assault charge after being reported by a local wedded couple who stayed at the Grand Aleutian hotel in Alaska on the same night as he did. The wife saw her husband and Maugatai engage in a heated discussion, potentially under the influence of alcohol.

Pressure mounted to the point of a physical altercation, with the two men fisticuffing their way into the hotel’s bathroom. The woman rushed inside and reportedly saw Freddy holding her husband in a headlock. Upon attempting to intervene, she was grabbed and pushed away by the sailor.

The force of this gesture seems to have been so significant that there was visible swelling and bruising on the woman’s arm, which is evidence that Freddy completely ignored in his statement to the police. He said that his actions were completely justified as self-defense, claiming that the man began hitting him first, and completely denying ever touching his wife.

Maugatai’s arguments didn’t hold up too well in court, and he was ordered not to approach the couple or the hotel. Some began to speculate that legal trouble spelled the true end of Freddy’s on-screen career, but it was quite the contrary, with 2012 being another productive year at sea for him.

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Freddy’s last 10 years in the business

2013 saw him appear in seven more episodes of the series, still sailing under the captains of the F/V Wizard. In 2014 he appeared in only four episodes, while 2015 was the year of his last five episodes on the vessel. In 2016’s Season 12 he finally switched over to the ship that would carry him the rest of his career – F/V Time Bandit, headed by captains Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand.

This time, the crew looked to be made-up just according to his standards, and there were even less issues than before. Up until the end of 2022, he had appeared in every season except 16, which was aired in 2020. The reason for this random skip is yet to be made public, but according to everything that the fans have seen, it looks like this stormy sea veteran still has a secure future in show business – he’s set to appear in the 19^th season in 2023.

Enoch Foster first rose to fame in 2017, at which point he and his unusual family were featured in the second season of Channel 4’s “Three Wives, One Husband” – a documentary TV series whose name offers more than a hint regarding its subject of narration. Its events are situated in the birthplace of one of the most unique groups of people in modern society.

Rockland Ranch, also known as ‘The Rock,’ is a fundamentalist Mormon polygamous community nestled in the rugged terrain near Moab, Utah. According to records, the community was founded in 1977, which some would say was done out of revenge.

Specifically, it was founded by Robert Dean ‘Bob’ Foster, an excommunicated polygamist Mormon, as a haven for fundamentalist Mormons to live and practice plural marriage out of the public eye. He was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1972 for marrying a second wife, which was illegal in Utah at the time.

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Foster’s vision was to create a sanctuary for his family to survive the impending world chaos that he believed was imminent. Today, the community consists of approximately 15 families and 100 people who live in around Moab. Robert’s son Enoch, is the exemplification of his father’s beliefs, which makes him a prime candidate for television.

The Rock’s unique geography plays a central role in the community’s history and creation. It’s located on a sandstone formation near Canyonlands National Park, and the homes are built into the rock wall, making them almost invisible from the surrounding area. The community’s original name was Rockdale Ranch, and consisted of 82 acres of land leased from the government for roughly $6,400 per year.

This segregated group now includes both polygamist and monogamist families. Foster, who has two wives and 13 children, is one of the leaders of the community, responsible for overseeing the construction of new homes and other buildings in the area.

The community has faced criticism and scrutiny over the years due to their practice of polygamy, which is illegal in the US. There is fame in infamy, though, and thus the community has managed to attract all manner of television producers and journalists, becoming the topic of various documentaries and news reports.

The people of Rockland Ranch live a unique and isolated lifestyle, in modern homes that have literally been carved into the face of a mountain. This unconventional living arrangement provides them with a certain level of protection and privacy from the outside world, but it also means that they are responsible for their own water and power supply.

The community operates largely independently, providing for their own needs through agriculture, ranching, and other means of self-sustenance. The main reason for this need, aside from being located in the middle of nowhere, is the group’s integral belief that the world is about to end, which they are doing their absolute best to be ready for.

While Rockland Ranch is often associated with polygamy, many of its members live in monogamous relationships. The community is tight-knit and family-oriented, with members often working together on various projects and activities. Despite their unconventional lifestyle, the members seem to value tradition, community and family above all else, much like their conservative critics.

Their isolation has also presented significant issues over the years, such as in 2018, when a house fire claimed the life of Enoch Foster’s two-year-old son Adonijah Jahiah John Foster. The community rallied around the family in their time of grief, but the incident brought attention to the risks associated with living in such a remote and isolated area.

In spite of constantly being criticized and rejected by their fellow Americans, the people of Rockland Ranch seem more committed than ever to living on their own terms. They’ve created a unique and well-sustained community in a harsh and unforgiving environment, and seem to take pride in their ability to thrive in such challenging circumstances.

Go inside the community of Rockland Ranch on Three Wives, One Husband. Get a first look at the new series! #3Wives1Husband https://t.co/XnnBUwW843 pic.twitter.com/nBec8z2HVu

— TLC Network (@TLC) February 15, 2018

It’s important to note that while polygamy is illegal in the US, the people of Rockland Ranch practice their lifestyle openly and without fear of prosecution. They believe that their way of life is protected under the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom, and they argue that the government has no right to interfere in their personal relationships.

It’s difficult to ascertain whether their plea of the first is enough to permanently shield them from the law, with the core of its protection being the fact that having multiple wives is ordained by their faith, in which case the state would be at fault for suppressing their religious freedom if it were to charge them with polygamy.

The juice of “Three Wives, One Husband”

The show captures the complexities of Foster’s life, as he navigates his multiple relationships and tries to keep his family together. Despite the looming prospect of prison time brought on by the practice of polygamy, Foster is determined to live his life according to his beliefs, even if it means surviving on the fringes of society. His story highlights the tensions that can arise between individual beliefs and societal norms, but which in turn makes for great television.

Enoch grew up in the community as the seventh of ten children of his father and just his mother, with another two of his father’s wives and 28 siblings in total. As a given, he followed in his father’s footsteps, and sought to have multiple wives of his own, with only the community’s ideals in mind for the future.

He fell in love with a local named Catrina at an early age, eventually marrying his childhood sweetheart in 1997, when he was 21 years old; the couple has 10 children together. Their first, a son named Isaiah, was born in 1998, and their youngest, a daughter named Kaela, in 2016.

Enoch’s second wife is Lillian, who joined the family after Enoch and Catrina had already been together for eight years. Enoch and Lillian were married in 2005, and they have seven children together – Lillian was pregnant with their seventh child when the show began filming. Their first child, a son named Isaiah, was born in 2006, and their youngest, daughter Layla, in 2019.

Foster was also eager to take a certain Lydia Rose into the family as his third wife, whom he indeed married sometime after the show was filmed, either in late 2017 or early 2018. She was a widow with two children who had expressed great interest in spending the rest of her life with Enoch. Lydia’s inclusion into the family brought the total number of children to 19.

Probably one of the most fascinating aspects of Foster’s life is that his relationships with all three wives are unique, with each woman having their own home on the property. Enoch rotates his time between the homes, spending a few days with one wife before moving on to another. This arrangement allows for each wife to have their own space and privacy, while still being a part of the family.

The Fosters’ many trials and tribulations

Beginning with the very premise on which they base everything they do, it’s indeed quite challenging to live some semblance of an ordinary and peaceful life as a Foster. Aside from the aforementioned house fire, whose casualty could’ve been avoided with the appropriate response of relevant authorities, the family has faced additional tragedy, and subsequently prosecution.

Lydia Compton Foster’s life changed forever on 21 March 2019, when she was involved in an horrific car accident on US Highway 191 between Moab and the Foster family enclave. The TV star was driving with her son Arrhen in the back seat when the car was hit by a semitruck, causing severe injuries that left her in critical condition. She was pregnant at the time of the accident, and her unborn child of 23 weeks didn’t survive.

The accident was a devastating blow to the Foster family, who were already grappling with the loss of a child from not even a year prior to the car crash. Lydia’s injuries were severe, including five broken bones in her pelvis, nine broken ribs, and general internal trauma. She required multiple surgeries and spent weeks in the hospital recovering from the incident. It’s unclear what caused the accident, as investigations are still ongoing.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help cover Lydia’s medical bills, which quickly reached its goal thanks to the outpouring of support from 185 fans and well-wishers. Her recovery was a long and difficult journey, but she eventually regained her strength and returned to her family, who were overjoyed to have her back home.

Enoch frequently provided updates to the situation in the hospital as it unfolded, informing the public on 23 March 2019 that the doctors had discovered an injury on Lydia’s kidney, but that it was going to heal on its own. Her broken pelvis required surgery, with screws being permanently inserted into it.

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Their unborn daughter was named Lilly Rose in the aftermath, and promptly buried with most inhabitants of Rockland Ranch attending the funeral to pay their respects. As for the driver whose vehicle smashed into Lydia’s, he is yet to be identified. In spite of his immediate departure from the scene, however, it hasn’t been determined that he is at fault for the accident.

It’s been theorized by Enoch himself that the collision might’ve occurred due to a semi-truck that was parked in the turn lane from which the vehicle sped towards Lydia, which could’ve easily obscured her view of oncoming traffic.

Trouble with the law

Legal issues with the Fosters’ lifestyle began when Utah passed a new law in 2017, which reclassified polygamy from a third-degree to a second-degree felony. Accordingly, cohabitation with multiple partners is considered illegal, even if the individuals are not legally married. Enoch’s family is one of several polygamist families in Utah who are now facing potential legal consequences as a result.

Almost as a response to the booming popularity of “Sister Wives” (a reality TV series with the same premise as “Three Wives, One Husband”), the state also passed an anti-bigamy law not long after the show’s release, which made anyone living with a purported spouse while legally married to another, liable for criminal prosecution.

Although Enoch has not yet been sentenced for polygamy, he and his family are facing the prospect of being charged as criminals. That said, they’re far from being a unique case, especially over where they live.

Polygamy has a long history in Utah, and there are estimated to be around 30,000 people living in polygamous communities all over the state. The topic of polygamy and its legality has remained a complex and controversial issue in the state, with many arguing both for and against.

Regardless of how many supporters of the practice there may be, the state intends to charge each of its residents individually, if they are found to be engaging in precisely what brought fame to Enoch and the Fosters.

Consequently, many fans have been worried sick about the fate of the family, with some pointing out that Enoch pretty much put a target on his forehead by agreeing to partake in the show, while all he really wanted to do was help normalize the lifestyle of his community.

As the charges of bigamy and polygamy carry a minimum sentence of five to ten years in prison in the state of Utah, if Enoch is found to be in violation these new laws, it could be up to a decade before he’s seen again.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the Foster couples have immensely proliferated, and each of their 20 children could incur additional time in prison for all four of them, with the law primarily focused on protecting the rights of children in such marriage arrangements. With no official news on what’s happening to the family, it remains to be seen whether they’ll still be able to evade prison by pleading the First Amendment.

Richard Trethewey first rose to fame in 1979, by appearing alongside his father Ron and uncle John in the world-famous home improvement TV series entitled “This Old House,” and then in its spin-offs “Inside This Old House” and “Ask This Old House.” In early 2023, he’s the very face of the franchise, having partaken in as many as 960 episodes to date, alongside the second longest-recurring crew member Norm Abram, with 945 episodes.

The media brand “This Old House” provides home improvement content through a variety of channels such as television shows, a magazine, and a website. The company is based in Stamford, Connecticut, and the TV series is shown on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the US, documenting the progress of remodeling projects undertaken by homeowners over a series of weekly episodes, in which Trethewey and the rest of the crew are instrumental.

“This Old House” was originally created by the Boston-based PBS station WGBH-TV, and produced by them from its inception in 1979 until 2001. Time Inc. then acquired the television assets, and formed a new entity called “This Old House Ventures”. WGBH continued to distribute episodes to PBS until 2019, but from the first episode of Season 41, the responsibility of distribution was passed to WETA-TV. Warner Bros. Domestic Television is in charge of distributing the series to commercial TV stations through broadcast syndication.

“This Old House” magazine was launched in 1995 by Time Inc., and is centered on offering helpful tips and advice for home improvement, renovation and decoration, which helped the franchise expand onto another medium, and subsequently attract a greater audience.

In 2016, Time Inc. sold the franchise to an executive named Eric Thorkilsen and private equity firm called TZP Growth Partners, but retained a unique partnership contract with its former owner. “This Old House Ventures” was ultimately acquired by Roku – a popular streaming service – on 19 March 2021.

“This Old House Ventures” has gained a reputation as a reliable and informative resource for homeowners looking to enhance their homes, and owing to its comprehensive coverage of home improvement topics and advice from experts, the brand has now been providing quality content to homeowners for over four decades.

The television series is particularly popular due to its engaging format, which documents the entirety of the remodeling process, with educated opinions of home improvement veterans such as Trethewey. This meter provides viewers with inspiration and ideas for their own home projects, as well as knowledge crucial to undertaking one’s own home improvement projects. Additionally, the magazine offers a more in-depth look at the topics covered in the show, with detailed how-to guides and expert analysis.

“This Old House” pioneered the home improvement genre, with a staggering 20 Emmy awards under its belt. It has helped build an unmatched reputation in its field over more than four decades as a trusted and respected brand that provides high-quality content to homeowners through various media.

With its long history and reputation for excellence, it’s no surprise that the company has been able to maintain its popularity over the years, and that it continues to be a go-to resource for homeowners looking get that extra bang for their buck when giving their residence a makeover. Richard, of course, is the man most people think of when the franchise is brought up.

The makings of a legend

Growing up with a versatile handyman to look up to, Richard pretty much had his future cut out for him from the get-go – all he had to do was reach out and grab it. Naturally, he took great interest in carpentry and other types of handiwork that made up his father’s day-to-day obligations, learning the ropes of home improvement before his peers even understood what those words meant.

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Richard Trethewey was born in 1956, in Dedham, Massachusetts USA, and at a suitable age, joined his father and uncle’s plumbing company Trethewey Brothers. He eventually became registered as a master plumber in his state, following a string of successes over the years in his father’s employ.

The brothers were eventually invited to lend their expertise to the production of “This Old House” – at the time just a peculiar young TV series that held some promise. As the show skyrocketed towards international fame, Richard appeared to have found his true calling, choosing to remain with the crew and build his career on television instead.

Richard was interviewed about the extensive history of his family in the plumbing business, and fans were elated to learn just how embedded this profession is in his bloodline. Talking about the company, he revealed that he’s a fourth-generation plumber, explaining how ‘it was started in 1902 by my great grandfather and his brother, hence Trethewey Brothers.’

The great grandson wasn’t going to fall far from the tree either, which was evident from a very early age. He revealed that ‘back in the third grade, when the teacher asked us to draw what we wanted to be when we grew up, I drew myself as a plumber.’

Remarking at how the drawing depicts him with an unrealistic height, he said ‘clearly, I thought I was gonna be much taller.’ His father fully supported this career choice, allowing young Richard to accompany him to work and learn the craft early on. Specifically, Richard explained ‘every summer, from when I was like 11, maybe 12, I would go with my dad to work, and sweep or cut pipe, this was always part of my life.’

As for the TV series that cemented his name in the industry, he said that it ‘came about so serendipitously. We had the established plumbing and heating company in Boston, and we got a phone call from Public Television Boston.’

The woman on the phone asked for Trethewey Brothers to partake in their brand-new TV show, but with the caveat that ‘we have no money, we’re Public Television, so you’d have to work for nothing.’ This didn’t seem to bother Trethewey Sr., however, with Richard saying that ‘my dad got on line and goes ‘You know what, it sounds great. Yeah. We’d love to.’ He hangs up and I say ‘Why’d you say yes to that?’’

His father’s reasoning was that, because they were having a good year, it’s not like the business would go down the drain if they tried out something new. The only issue with the plan was that Ron couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera, so the thought of being filmed every day gave him anxiety that rendered his nights sleepless.

It was soon decided that Richard should be the face of the company instead, which turned out to fit him like a glove. ‘There’s something really magic about looking at a building, figuring out what to put in there, fighting it into the building, getting it to go in there perfectly,’ he said, explaining what it’s really all about for him.

The main pleasure for Richard is that ‘you know that these people will be comfortable in every season, night and day, 24/7, 365, because you did the right thing for that building, so that juices me.’ His sons Evan and Ross also followed these footsteps, which he mentioned as well, saying ‘and I think that’s what triggered both of my boys to get into the game, because it’s an industry where there’s always gonna be new stuff coming.’

A little business, mostly pleasure

He also gave away a public secret, which apparently not many fans were aware of, as his name is generally only associated with home renovation. He said ‘I don’t know if people know that I’m also a long-distance sailor. I’ve sailed a race to Bermuda, which is 600 miles (965 kilometers) straight out to sea, about six or eight times.’

Understandably, Richard enjoys sailing because it has a similar concept to what he does for a living, which he explained as an ‘unbelievable engineering challenge, which I love. You gotta make sure every system keeps working. It sort of changes my view. It raises my horizon a little bit.’

Finally, what this plumbing legend enjoys more than anything is spending time with his extensive family. He said ‘For me, the next joy in my life is grandchildren. ‘Cause it connects me right back to my father, you know, it keeps that line going, so it’s really fun to see the next generation. It’s pretty cool.’

It has to stop raining someday.#CaptainPeachFuzz #Sailing pic.twitter.com/Hvj6ZJSuMo

— Richard Trethewey (@thisoldplumber) May 21, 2019

Aside from that, Richard has a rather active Twitter account, on which he posts all kinds of helpful advice, and even uses the platform to promote various non-profit undertakings that strive to improve the living standards of those less fortunate.

For example, he retweeted a post from the “This Old House” official Twitter page, which promotes the rehousing of former US soldiers who find themselves in financial trouble. Called Homes For Our Troops, and it operates all over the country, being one of the most successful veteran aid programs active today.

The post read ‘To our Veterans, we thank you for your service and for your sacrifice. But words are never enough. Homes For Our Troops rebuilds the lives of injured vets. On this #VeteransDay, learn more: http://hfotusa.org’

Richard also takes the time to show gratitude towards those he spends time working with, and often retweets praise for his coworkers. One such post reads ‘Simply, the best. Always bringing great attitude with aptitude….’, which is a retweet of Kevin O’Connor’s post about Charlie Silva – one of their beloved colleagues.

Kevin stated ‘As we wrap another #TOH project let’s take a moment to recognize this guy – @charliesilvatoh. He has done so much more than just keep this project going. He has kept another handful of projects going and most importantly he’s keeping the Silva Bros. legacy alive. Thanks Charlie.’

Some of the most popular articles related to home improvement on the entire web are either directly inspired by Richard, or they contain his advice verbatim. Such is the case with this BuzzFeed article entitled “19 Helpful Tips And Tricks From The Experts At “This Old House” That Will Blow Your Mind,” in which Trethewey is mentioned as one of ‘TOH legends.’

Richard’s most recent year in show business

On 26 April 2022, it was revealed by Roku that the series would be receiving its to-date most prestigious prize – the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Up until that point, it had accumulated 117 Emmy award nominations, of which they’d won 20. Richard Trethewey is one of the few honorary cast and crew members who got to receive this truly rare honor, including his sons.

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The Tretheweys of 2023 take their success to even higher levels than those before, with RST Thermal operating at full force. This company was formed by Richard himself after he left Trethewey Brothers in 1990, and the seat of president has since been passed to his son Evan, while the legend himself is the vice president.

Today they operate in the New England area, around Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, providing technical and sales support to various manufacturers of heating and cooling products.

Richard himself remains fully committed to “This Old House,” even after almost a full 45 years. The show’s audience has literally never stopped growing, and in 2023 Richard’s fanbase rivals that of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.