Selden Kenneth “Ken” Griffen III, 69, of Kensington, husband of Donna (Carter) Griffen, died on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018, at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain.

Born in Hartford on June 29, 1948, the son of the late Selden K. Griffen Jr. and Vera Mae (Nystrup) Griffen, he was a former resident of New Britain, Conn., moving to Kensington, Conn., in 1996. Ken was a graduate of the Mooreland Hill School, New Britain High School, and the University of Connecticut.

After college graduation he joined his dad in the world of finance, at Advest in New Britain. Ken went on to become a senior vice president at both Merrill Lynch and Janney Montgomery Scott, where he was a senior member of the Seaport Wealth Management Financial Advisory Team. Ken had a passion for music, and he was a working musician from his teenage years until his death. His high school band, the Ogres, spent a memorable summer in 1966 on Martha’s Vineyard. Thrilling for a bunch of teenagers from New Britain! Ken started out as a guitarist, but found his place as a stellar piano player/keyboardist, harmonica player, and singer. He was a founding member of the legendary Connecticut rock band Fountainhead, which started in 1974 and is still going strong. Ken shared his love of playing in the band with his daughter Virginia, and they performed together over many decades.

Enchanted by the Vineyard, years later Ken and his wife Donna bought a home there, and during his summer stays, Ken performed at many venues on the island. Music was elemental in Ken’s life; his joy, his freedom, his means of expression.

Community was very important to Ken. He was generous and put service to others above himself. Ken was the current vice president of the New Britain–Meriden YMCA, past president and member of the New Britain–Berlin Rotary Club, and was on the boards of many philanthropic organizations. He was on the vestry of St Mark’s Episcopal Church, and a longtime member of the Shuttle Meadow Country Club Round Table. He was a board member of the East Chop Beach Club, and active in many organizations on Martha’s Vineyard.

Ken’s family knew him as the keeper of memories and photographs. He was the family historian and the go-to guy if you were researching anything about the past. He was also the one who brought everyone together. Above all, family was everything to him.

Besides his wife Donna, he leaves a son, Selden K. Griffen IV of Kensington; three daughters, Virginia Griffen of Rocky Hill, Conn., Laura Brazeil of New Rochelle, N.Y., and Rebecca Griffen of Kensington; a brother, Thomas Griffen and his wife Anna of Ellijay, Ga.; two grandchildren, Silas Griffen-Sullivan and Zara Griffen-Sullivan; a nephew, Gus Griffen; and many dear cousins.

Funeral services were held Saturday, March 3, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Britain. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery at the convenience of the family. There was a celebration of Ken’s life at Shuttle Meadow Country Club following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rotary Club Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693, or to the New Britain–Meriden YMCA, 50 High Street, New Britain, CT 06051. Please share a memory or note of sympathy at carlsonfuneralhome.com.

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Gerald (“Jerry”) Kagan of Vineyard Haven died on March 1, 2018, at the age of 81.

Jerry lived an eclectic life. A graduate of Syracuse University, his career path included working as a Fidelity Investments stock analyst, lawyer, judge and “Today” show credit expert. After retiring from a successful legal career, Jerry worked as an administrator at Yale New Haven Hospital. Some of his most memorable times were living in St. John, USVI, and Key West, assisting his sons Rob and Andy in their retail business, and finally as an enthusiastic Uber driver. Jerry loved talking to people, telling “Jerry” stories, and was always available to help out friends. He was very much intertwined in his sons’ and family’s lives, and was always on hand with support and advice.

Jerry was an ubiquitous figure all over town; whether on a moped or sitting on the dock or wharf watching the boats move through the harbor. Usually, the first words out of someone’s mouth when Jerry’s name came up was, “He is a character.” And that is just how he liked it.

Rob and Andy would like to thank the following organizations that made Jerry’s final years on Martha’s Vineyard enjoyable. Elder Services, with their many services that made it possible for Jerry to continue to live independently in his own apartment, on his own terms. Barbara and the staff at Dukes County Regional Housing Authority, who provided him a home. The staff at the Dialysis Center at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, as well his doctors and staff in Hyannis. They were all rock stars in Jerry’s eyes, and made every effort to make his treatments go smoothly. And finally, the McCarthy House, a hospice facility in East Sandwich, which was an oasis in an otherwise difficult time. A private on-demand kitchen, visiting piano players, service dogs, and other caring volunteers along with a dedicated staff created an ambiance where life was celebrated. Jerry’s final days at the McCarthy House were happy ones, and he left this world with a smile on his face and strawberry shortcake in his stomach. Memorial donations in memory of Jerry can be made to any of these organizations.

Jerry was the beloved father of Andrew Kagan, his wife Wendy, Robert Kagan, his wife Melissa, and adored grandfather of Zachary, Ilana, Olivia, and Sasha.

There will be a private memorial service on Chappaquiddick in the Spring, where his ashes will be put to rest. He will be missed.

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Lillian F. Fusco, 74, wife of Raphael J. (Ray) Fusco, died on Thursday morning, March 8, 2018, at her home in Edgartown.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 12, at 11 am in St. Augustine’s Church, Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven. Visitation will be held in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, prior to the funeral, beginning at 10 am. Burial will be in the New Westside Cemetery on Robinson Road in Edgartown.

A complete obituary will appear in another edition of this paper. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information.

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The Rev. Robert Charles Day, a West Tisbury resident for the past 23 years, died peacefully on Jan. 23, 2018, in Sarasota, Fla. He had lived a full life of service, teaching, and community involvement in Boston and on the Vineyard. He was 90 years old.

Bob Day was born in Hackensack, N.J., on July 29, 1927, a son of Harvey Carter Day and Sophie Therese (Bausback) Day. He was graduated from high school in Delaware, and in 1945-46 served in the Army on Governors Island in New York City. He went on to graduate from the University of Delaware in 1949. Then, with the aid of a Fulbright scholarship, he taught English in in 1955-56 in Kavala, Greece. He earned a master’s degree in English language and literature at Oxford University’s Corpus Christi College in England in 1959.

Upon returning to the United States, he taught English at several preparatory schools, including Groton School in Groton, and St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H., before heeding his call to become an Episcopal minister.

Bob earned his master of divinity degree at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge in 1965, after marrying Barbara Blackwell Whidden, whom he had met while she worked in development at Lincoln Center. In 1966, he was ordained a minister at the Advent Church. He performed many wedding ceremonies, baptisms, and memorial services, and each one was meaningful to him.

In the summer of 1964, Bob and Barbara volunteered at Mills College in Birmingham, Ala., a historic African American college where Bob taught English to freshmen. Bob explained later that both he and Barbara realized then “that elementary school is where we need to start; this foundation is the most important part.” The Advent School, which had been founded in 1961 in Boston, was the place, he said, where he believed “we could do something meaningful and enact what the nation has been trying so hard to do.”

So it was that shortly thereafter, in 1965, he became Head of School of the Advent School and remained there for 30 years. Building an elementary school that offered a progressive, integrated education was of paramount importance to Father Day, and the pupils, their families, faculty, and staff were very important to him. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino declared May 5, 1995, Robert C. Day Day in gratitude for Bob’s contributions to the city. Karen Cord Taylor included him in her book “Legendary Locals of Beacon Hill.”

In 1995, he and Barbara, an artist who loved painting Island landscapes, became year-round residents of the Vineyard. Barbara had a longtime relationship with the Island, going back six generations to early Blackwell family members.

In the Days’ summer Island years, Bob Day was frequently a substitute and assistant minister at Grace Church. After decades of summers in Vineyard Haven, the Days retired to West Tisbury, where they would have good terrain for Bob’s gardening enthusiasm. And he did, planting peonies, catmint, and hydrangeas in the yard on Willow Tree Hollow.

In no time at all, the Days became active in town and Island affairs. Bob volunteered as a counselor at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, and became a board member of the Council on Aging at Howes House. He was president of the Grace Church preschool board, and a member of the West Tisbury Conservation Commission. He also served on the West Tisbury Parks and Recreation Committee and the M.V. Chamber Music Society Board. He led a book group, and enjoyed the First and Third Men’s luncheons at the Harbor View Hotel. He and Barbara also ventured on exciting trips with friends and family around the world.

Bob savored long strolls and dips at Stonewall Beach and Quitsa Pond. Evenings, when children and grandchildren were on the Island, he liked playing charades and board games. He enjoyed classical music, good books, and holding Barbara’s hand while enjoying a cup of tea. A person of integrity, dedication, serenity, optimism, and quiet spirituality, Bob Day planted seeds in many gardens; these gardens will continue to bloom and honor his service to others.

In addition to his wife of 54 years, Barbara, Bob Day is survived by daughter Catherine Day-Carlson and husband Dave, of New York City, daughter Elizabeth Churchill of Menlo Park, Calif., and son Matthew and wife Tracy of Sarasota, Fla.; plus loving grandchildren Jessica, Luke, Scott; Fred, Bob, Lucy; and Jackson, Garrett, and Caroline. He was predeceased by his son-in-law John Churchill. A small family gathering was held in Sarasota, where Bob and Barbara had moved in October to be near their son and his family.

Bob Day will be buried at Abel’s Hill Cemetery in Chilmark. A celebration of his life will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven in July, at a time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Robert C. Day Financial Aid Fund at the Advent School, 15 Brimmer Street, Boston, MA 02108.

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Constance May (Collier) Shanor of Edgartown and Chappaquiddick, writer, health worker, and traveler, died on Feb. 19, 2018, at her home on Pierce Lane after a long illness. She was 88. She and her husband of 66 years, Donald, had been year-round Edgartown residents since 1985, and seasonal residents since 1973. In 1975 they also — with their own hands — built themselves a summer home on Chappaquiddick.

Constance was born in New York City on Oct. 9, 1929, a daughter of Raymond and Elsie (Crain) Collier, but soon moved to Lakewood, Ohio, where she graduated from high school. She was a 1951 graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., but had spent her junior year abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. It was at Medill that she met her husband, and they were married a few months after their graduation. A few months after that, eager to travel, they had taken a freight boat carrying passengers from Boston to Liverpool, England. For the next 16 years, they lived abroad, in London and Wimbledon, England, where Don worked for United Press International, and in Vienna, Austria, and Frankfurt and Bonn, Germany, where he served as a foreign correspondent covering Eastern Europe for the Chicago Daily News. Connie, in addition to having three children, edited an English-language magazine in Germany, and worked for a radio station there providing information about the West to Communist Eastern Europe.

In 1959, they returned to the United States and lived in Demarest, N.J., and then in Manhattan, where Don taught at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Connie worked as an editor and writer for American Heart Association publications and for the National Kidney Foundation Newsletter. In 1981, she received her master’s degree in public health from Columbia’s Graduate School of Public Health.

In 1983, the couple went abroad again — this time to China, where Don was invited to teach journalism in Beijing and Connie was a consultant to the Chinese National News Agency. When they returned to the United States, they collaborated on the book “China Today: How Population Control, Human Rights, Government Repression, Hong Kong and Democratic Reform Affect Life in China and Will Shape World Events into the Next Century.” In 2004, she and Don collaborated on another book, “After the Russians: Eastern Europe Joins the West,” based on their time in Europe. Work on a biography of an early women’s rights advocate was interrupted by her illness.

A devotee of the outdoors, Connie was an enthusiastic cyclist, tennis player, Katama Bay swimmer, and Chappaquiddick canoeist, as well as a devoted bird watcher and gardener at her Pierce Lane and Chappaquiddick homes.

She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Rebecca Shanor of New York City and Lisa Shanor of Oak Bluffs; a granddaughter, Zoe Shanor, of Oak Bluffs; a sister, Marguerite Leavy of Clearwater, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Donald Jr., and a sister, Virginia Barkdull.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Massachusetts Audubon at the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 494, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

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Lillian F. (Worob) Fusco of Edgartown died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving husband, daughter, and beloved caregiver, Emelia, on March 8, 2018, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

Lillian was born in the West End of Boston, on Sep. 18, 1943, to Sophie and Lawrence Worob. She attended Girl’s High School in Boston. A few years after graduating from high school, Lillian met Raphael (Ray) Fusco at Moseley’s on the Charles [River] Dance Centre in 1963, where the dance of their life began. Lillian and Ray were engaged just a few months later, and married in October 1965. Lillian and Ray had two children, Christine and Stephen. Lillian was a meticulous homemaker and a mother. She loved keeping up with her children’s activities and interests, keeping beautiful journals of her family’s activities, including birthdays and vacations, which are giving them great joy now.

Once Lillian’s children were through school, she started work at the “Tip O’Neill Building” in Boston as an administrative assistant at the National Labor Relations Board for 15 years. Lillian graduated in 1995 from the National Education Center with a medical assistant certificate, thinking she would like to work in the medical field. However, in the end she loved her job at the National Labor Relations Board, and remained there until she moved to Martha’s Vineyard permanently.

Lillian and Ray vacationed on the Vineyard with their children for many summers, and grew to love the Vineyard, and planned to call it home in retirement. Once her children were grown, they purchased a home on Jernegan Avenue in Edgartown. Lillian moved full-time to their new home in the year 2000. Once settled on the island, Lillian returned to the workforce at Martha’s Vineyard Insurance Co. as an administrative assistant in Vineyard Haven until her retirement in 2007.

Lillian loved being a traditional wife and mother. She created a beautiful home and lovely meals for her family. She was an avid reader, she enjoyed sewing, shopping, visiting local restaurants, and decorating her home.

Lillian leaves behind her loving husband, Ray, of 53 years; her daughter Christine and son Stephen, both of Malden; her brother Richard Worob of Nashua, N.H.; and several nephews and one niece.

Lillian’s family is eternally grateful for the help of Hope Hospice and Horizons Geriatric Care Management, which provided support and guidance in Lillian’s last years. Lillian adored her caregiver, Emelia from Sostek Home Care, who was by her side for the past 18 months, seeing to her every need and comfort. Her family is also grateful for the kindness of Gary Williams, who provided amazing support to Lillian and Ray as their neighbor since the day they moved to Edgartown. Lillian was a lovely lady, and will be greatly missed by family and friends. May she rest in peace.

Memorial donations may be made to the Red Stocking Fund of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 600, Edgartown, MA 02539, or the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, March 12, in St. Augustine’s Church, Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven, and burial was in the New Westside Cemetery in Edgartown.

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Dorothy Ellen Krikorian (née Worden), born on Dec. 11, 1949, in Oak Bluffs to Hudson and Dorothy Stuhler Worden, died and left this world for a better place on March 11, 2018, in Conroe, Texas, at the age of 68. (Although she would prefer to say that she was 48, thank you.)

She is survived by her children, Pamela Krikorian, Edward Krikorian IV and wife Jennifer, Gloria Adams and husband Shane; grandchildren Justin Ringo, Bailey Ringo, Demi Krikorian; brother Jim Worden and wife Margo; and by her sisters, Cheryl Pinkham, Brenda Lynch and husband Bob, Paula Stone and husband Kenny; all of whom knew her to be full of laughter, with a penchant for chatting and a voracious appetite for reading. Her heartfelt willingness to help anyone in need, regardless of the sacrifice required, will never be forgotten. Our hearts will always hold her close and look forward to the day we get to hear her laugh again. She will be missed beyond words.

She was never one to say goodbye, but instead, “I’ll see you again soon.” Without a doubt, she will be the first to greet us with open arms when one day we see her again.

A private memorial will be held on Martha’s Vineyard at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we encourage a book donation to be made in her name to a favorite school library.

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William A. Merry of Woodside Village in Oak Bluffs died on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was 81.

He is survived by his daughter, Lynn Merry, his son, Dana Merry, his stepdaughter, Sheila Woods, and the rest of the extended Merry family. A

graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 24, at 1 pm in the Lambert’s Cove Cemetery on Lambert’s Cove Road in West Tisbury.

A complete obituary will follow in another edition of this paper. Donations in his memory may be made to the Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information.

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Mary “Schatzie” Gibbon Clarke, of Gloucester and Vineyard Haven, died peacefully, surrounded by her beloved children, on March 8, 2018. She was 86 and had battled Parkinson’s disease for 10 years. She never lost her enthusiasm for life and never allowed her illness to define her; her strength and determination were an inspiration to everyone she knew.

Mary was born in Philadelphia on Feb. 28, 1932, and attended Oberlin College, graduating with a major in sociology in 1953. She received a master’s degree in social work from Boston University in 1955, and developed a private practice at the Enon Center in Beverly from 1980 to 1990. She also worked as a therapist at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Mental Health Department in Hanover, N.H.; the North Shore Counseling Center in Beverly; the Associated Family Counselors in Wenham; Martha’s Vineyard Community Services; and the Epilepsy Foundation in Sarasota, Fla.

After her retirement, Mary volunteered at HAWC (Help for Abused Women and Their Children) in Salem and Beacon Hospice in Charlestown. Both as a professional and a volunteer, she practiced in many capacities, working with individuals and couples and facilitating groups.

She married John Murdoch Clarke in 1955. Their first child, Martha, was born in Boston in 1958. As a young family, propelled by a sense of adventure and commitment, they made the first of many moves: to Athens, Greece, in 1960, where John taught at Athens College for three years, and their daughter Annie and their son Eric were born. John then accepted a position as principal of the International School in Kabul, Afghanistan. Through a USIS (United States Information Service) project, Mary taught English to Afghan midwives and also helped organize cottage industries that produced silk shifts and beautiful embroidered cloth. Their last child, Mark, was born in Kabul in 1965.

The Clarkes returned to the United States, and lived in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Mary became very politically active in the Vietnam antiwar movement. In the spirit of the times, they moved to Acworth, N.H., and founded an alternative school with several other families. Mary also operated a cross-country ski lodge, cooking and baking all the meals — and raising her four children at the same time. From there they traveled to Hanover, N.H., and started the Moose Mountain Cross-Country Ski Lodge. Finally, John and Mary moved to Martha’s Vineyard and bought the Lothrop Merry House on Vineyard Haven Harbor. Here they welcomed bed and breakfast guests for the next 25 years. They also ran a sailboat charter business, first with the Friendship sloop Irene and then with their Alden ketch Laissez Faire (which they were able to sail to the Caribbean and charter there in the winter).

Their final move was to Gloucester, where Mary cared for John until his death in 2000. She spent the next years playing tennis and tending her garden. Her annual Poppy Party in May was legendary. She took sculpture classes and wrote poetry. She read extensively, and started a book group that lasted for many years. She was a woman of both adventure and compassion. Everyone will remember her sense of humor as well as her ability to listen with respect and kindness. She was a caring and loving mother, deeply committed to her family above all else.

And she cherished her special cat, Baby.

Mary was predeceased by her husband John; her sister Marjorie Gibbon Masek of Vineyard Haven; and her brother John Gibbon of Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. She is survived by her sister Alice Saltzman of Costa Mesa, Calif.; her daughters Martha Clarke of Newburyport and Annie Clarke Margetson of Gloucester; her sons Eric of Middleton and Mark of Vineyard Haven; a daughter-in-law, Nya Clarke; three grandchildren, Rose Margetson, and Ella and Xavier Clarke; and a niece and many nephews.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at the Sharksmouth Estate in Manchester-by-the-Sea on June 16 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Women for Women International, Global Support Center, P.O. Box 9224, Islip, NY 11722.

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Margaret Anne “Peggy” Goodale, 71, died on Saturday, March 17, 2018, at her home in Vineyard Haven. She was the wife of Jeremy T. “Jerry” Goodale.

Her memorial service will be held at a later date, to be announced. Donations in her memory may be made to the Grace Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1197, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or to Hope Health, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.

A complete obituary will appear in another edition of this paper.

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Robert Francis Marie, 83, died peacefully in his Oak Bluffs home on Jan. 4, 2018. Known as Bob, he was the son of Frank W. and Anna K. (Donahue) Marie, born and raised in Lynn along with his sisters Dorothy, Irene, and Frances.

After attending Lynn public schools and the Newman Preparatory School, Bob earned his mechanical engineering degree at Northeastern University in Boston. He took graduate studies in electrical engineering at the Lowell Institute at MIT and nuclear engineering at the University of Lowell. His career-long affiliation with New England Electric System companies began while he was attending Northeastern. His initial employment was at the Salem Harbor power plant. In the 1960s, Bob moved to Yankee Atomic Electric Co., and worked at nuclear power plants throughout New England until retiring in 1992.

Bob and his family lived in Northborough for 25 years. He was active in that community for several years, coaching youth baseball, hockey, and bowling. After retiring, his passion for fishing was a factor in the decision to move to Martha’s Vineyard, where he and Lois have lived for 20 years. His favorite days on the Vineyard were when his children and grandchildren were visiting. And over the years he spent countless hours and days pursuing the next big bonito, albacore, or other fine specimen.

Bob leaves his wife Lois (Flanagan) Marie, daughters Beth and her husband David Cocola, and Christine and her husband Paul Molloy; son Robert and his wife Kelly Marie. He also leaves six grandchildren, Ryan and Travis Marie, Morgan and Dylan Molloy, Emily Cocola, Rachel (Cocola) and her husband Tyler Tupper, and his great-grandson, Clay Tupper. He is survived by his sisters Dorothy (Marie) Macdonald and Frances (Marie) Laubner, his brother-in-law and good friend Thomas Howard, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Irene (Marie) Howard.

An April memorial service will be held in Lynn, where Bob will be laid to rest at Saint Mary Cemetery. Suggested for those who want to donate in memory of Robert: Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or online at hospiceofmv.org.

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William Joseph Hall Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and treasured friend to many, died peacefully at his home in Vineyard Haven on March 20, 2018, from natural causes. He was 89 years young.

Referred to by many as “Mr. Positivity,” Bill lived his life with one purpose: to spread love wherever he went. Bill was always ready with a hug, a kind word, or words of wisdom for all who crossed his path, especially here on the Island he loved so much.

Bill was an avid golfer, and considered the fourth hole at Farm Neck his “church.” He loved working with his hands and gardening, and especially enjoyed growing his beautiful, awardwinning dahlias, and the many blue ribbons they took home from the Agricultural Society Fair. He was a very proud member of the Island’s infamous Barnacle Club, and was a self-taught expert and appraiser of oriental carpets, which he enjoyed for their intricate beauty. He loved music of all kinds, from Bach to Billie Holiday. He had deep, lifelong interests in the ocean, boats, marine history, archaeology, genealogy, Vineyard history, and astronomy, as well as a tireless desire to learn. Bill believed very deeply that the universe is “infinite,” and once wrote to Stephen Hawking to tell him so. He always treasured the note that Professor Hawking sent back, respectfully letting him know that while he appreciated his note, he was in fact wrong!

After the death of his wife in 1999, he reached out to friends to start a poker group on Wednesday nights, which has continued to this day, and will continue after this death. As a nod to his love for astronomy, he called the group “Intuitive Cosmology and Poker Society,” or ICAPS. He was a devoted Hospice volunteer, and was grateful to have Martha’s Vineyard Hospice care for him as he recently neared death.

It was at the Marine Hospital in Vineyard Haven (future home of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum), where he was admitted while in the Coast Guard after becoming ill, where he fell in love with the medical secretary and local island girl Joanne Finnegan. For him it was love at first sight, and they were married at Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs in 1951. Bill deeply loved his Vineyard bride and Martha’s Vineyard all the days of his life.

Bill was a true entrepreneur in every way, so it made sense that after a successful career in Boston selling diesel ship engines, he would start his own firm. In 1976 he left his job and started his own marine brokerage firm, Hall Associates. With a dream, desk, and phone in his home, he sold ocean tugs and barges from every corner of the world, and rapidly became one of the most notable marine brokers of his time. He ran his company with his son Christopher from the Vineyard until 2007. After living on the South Shore of Boston and raising four children, Bill and Joan moved home to Martha’s Vineyard in 1982, where they spent the “best years of their lives” in their William Street home.

Bill was born on Oct. 5, 1928, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Medford, and grew up in Arlington, an only child. He enjoyed a blissful early life with many neighborhood friends, and loved boating, fishing, hunting, playing ice hockey, and woodworking. After graduating from Arlington High School, Bill was accepted at Northeastern University, but decided to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard and serve his country instead. It was because of the Coast Guard that he met and fell in love with his wife and the Island of Martha’s Vineyard.

Bill is survived by and will be dearly missed by his three daughters, Martha Hall Kelly of Litchfield, Conn., Sally Hatcher of Downers Grove, Ill., and Polly Simpkins of Vineyard Haven, and is predeceased by his wife, Joanne Finnegan Hall of Vineyard Haven, and his son, Christopher Hall of Seattle. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, two sons-in-law, and so many friends and family, all of whom have been inspired by Bill’s joie de vivre. His love for those around him, belief in unconditional love and forgiveness, his delight in the beauty of life, and his continued positive attitude even in times of strife will be forever missed. Until his last day of life, and in the face of adversity, he woke every day with a true passion for making each day the best it could be, and even in his last words he spoke of “surrendering to love.”

A celebration of his life will be held on the Vineyard on June 16, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum at mvmuseum.org; and/or please perform a random act of kindness for someone who may not be expecting it, or reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to for a long time, or who may need some support. That was the way William J. Hall lived his life, and inspired others to do the same.

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Carroll Buress died peacefully, with his wife of 30 years, Deborah Buress, and family around him at their home in Vineyard Haven on the evening of Saturday, March 17, 2018. He enjoyed celebrating his 90th birthday just a few months prior.

Carroll was born in Baltimore on Dec. 22, 1927, the only child of Roy and Katherine Buress. He studied engineering at Johns Hopkins University before joining the Army and becoming a sergeant first class medical inspector at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C. His white-glove treatment was infamous, a fact he reminded his children of, much to their dismay, during each morning’s bedroom inspection. After his honorable discharge in 1953, he found his stride selling electrical equipment, and eventually took over the whole company, renaming it Downey, Turner & Buress.

But everyone who knew and loved Carroll understood that sailing was his great passion. As a young man, he competed in and won countless races in the Chesapeake Bay, Bermuda, and beyond. He started racing with Lightnings, then moved on to a 26-foot Ranger, then his 33-foot Allegra, 42-foot Vitesse, 52-foot Liberté, and finally 54-foot Chessie. Naturally, he met his third wife Deborah at Singles on Sailboats. Many of his friends and family remember the joy of drinking a rum and Coke, or a can of Tab, and eating potato chips on one his beloved sailboats and watching Carroll work his magic. (His children mostly remember having to clean and varnish the boats nonstop.)

He and Deborah married on Feb. 12, 1988; he retired in 1990, and they moved from Annapolis, Md., to Martha’s Vineyard in 1995. In retirement he sailed up and down the East Coast, all the way to the Keys, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Belize. Later in life, when sailing became more difficult, Carroll turned to racing Soling remote-control boats in Vineyard Haven Harbor every Sunday. It wasn’t long before he was spending more time in his workshop meticulously building the boats for himself and his Martha’s Vineyard Model Yacht Club buddies than he did sailing them. Indeed, his family and friends cherished (and took full advantage of) his natural ability to build and fix pretty much anything.

He is dearly missed and survived by his wife, Deborah Buress, and their dog Bob; his children and their spouses Mary Katherine and Mark Kohler, Lee and Armelle Buress, and Bill and Kathy Buress; his stepdaughters Cameron, Kylie, and Makenzie, and their spouses Brandon, Carlos, and Christopher; his grandchildren Alex, Elizabeth, Nicole, Katelyn, Jeff, Tristan, Nicholas, Charlie, Daniel, March, Brookes, and Hartwin; and his great-grandchildren Bridget, Jack, and Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Island Housing Trust, ihtmv.org.

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Robert J. Francis, 79, of Oak Bluffs died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

His memorial service will be held at a later date, to be announced. Donations in his memory may be made to the P.A. Club Benevolent Society, P.O. Box 2203, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for more information.

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Fred Coleman Croft, a Renaissance man of Lincolnville Beach, Maine, and Martha’s Vineyard, after 24,568 sunsets, died on Feb. 27, 2018, in Lincolnville Beach from complications of prostate cancer.

However, Fred did not go “gently into that good night.” It was with grace and as a true gentleman he died in the bed he built and shared with his longtime, steadfast companion, Kristie Scott. Fres was not alone. The room filled with his family: Kristie, his son Felix, sister Caroline, his seven stepchildren, 16 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Fred, Freddy, Fredels, Faux-Pa (to his stepchildren) was a Southern boy. Born to Mary Elizabeth McDonald and Isadore Coleman Croft in Durham, N.C., he was the middle child, and only boy, flanked by his sisters Caroline and Ann.

After finishing his education, both primary and secondary, in Chapel Hill, and attending the University of North Carolina, Fred left the South for all points on the compass. And though he left the South, the South (and the Tar Heels) never left him, as he maintained his Southern charm and his unique je ne sais quoi.

Fred was a mariner, a sailor. His travels, adventures, his wit, and the winds taking him single-handed around the Bermuda Triangle. He transported caches of herbs to New England, hopped islands from the Caribbean to the Azores. Then on to Nice, France, where he anchored and had his son, Felix.

It was there, in the South of France where Fred met Kristie and what would soon become his adopted family, who were compelling enough to lure him from the Mediterranean back across the Atlantic to Penobscot Bay.

Martha’s Vineyard was a continual draw for Fred, and he spent several happy summers at his proclaimed “favorite job,” captaining the Menemsha bike ferry. A salty and memorable character, he regaled his passengers with stories, charm, and quick wit.

Fred and Kristie returned to their farm in Maine, where he was able to finally root himself and pursue his passion for all things agrarian. Together they worked on the gardens — tomatoes his favorite crop. But he had a special kinship with the centuries-old apple and peach trees in the back gardens, coaxing them to again produce fruit.

In the short summer months, and into fall, he and Kristie sailed Penobscot Bay aboard the beloved Paper Moon, Fred’s Sparkman & Stephens sailboat. When the inevitable snow and cold Maine winds came, and Paper Moon was tucked away safely for winter, Fred’s attention turned to another of his passions — furnituremaking.

Fred established a corner of the barn as his woodshop. Anyone coming to the farm would often be detoured by the warmth of the wood stove, and Fred’s humor and social charm. If he weren’t working on a project, you would find him stooped over the New York Times crossword puzzle (using a black ink pen, of course), though he could easily be distracted from his work with a game of backgammon.

Faux-Pa and Oma (Fred and Kristie) together at Fantasy Farm were the heart of a big and multifarious group. He was Pa to Felix, Faux-Pa to seven stepchildren and 11 grandchildren, and Foam-Pa to two great-grandchildren. This kith and kin will forever and ever miss him. Goodbye for now.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, P.O. Box 1552, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

A celebration will be held on Memorial Day weekend, with the exact time and place to be announced.

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Janet O. Bates is a beautiful soul who left us way too soon. She is a much-loved daughter, sister, and aunt, and all who knew her were touched by her captivating personality. She died on Feb. 12, 2018, in Brattleboro, Vt. She was born on July 20, 1959, in Summit, N.J., to William and Nancy Bates.

Janet’s early years were spent in Westfield and Sparta, N.J., and Edgartown. Summer vacations were spent in Menemsha with her family. She graduated from U-32 High School in Montpelier, Vt., and continued her education at Boston University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. degree in broadcast journalism.

During Janet’s high school and college years, she was on the air as a local DJ. Upon graduation she was known as “Janet from Another Planet,” working on WXKS and WVBF in Boston and WMMR in Philadelphia. On several of these stations she also held promotion and newswriting positions. In New York City, Janet drove the WNBC “N” Car, on the air with Howard Stern and Imus, as well as hosting weekend talk shows on WNBC. She also became the morning drive time DJ for radio Z100.

In later years, Janet studied at Keene State College in New Hampshire, and became a counselor at the Brattleboro Retreat in Brattleboro, Vt. She volunteered at the Brattleboro Community Center, Big Brothers and Sisters, and Women’s Crisis Services. Always known as an excellent cook, her favorite hobbies included writing, acting, skiing, and swimming.

Janet is survived by her mother, Nancy Wood, her sisters Lesley Tripp, Jill Gardner, Sally Bates, Jennifer Bates, and Sandra Varno. Her sister Susan Bates predeceased her in 2015. She leaves behind 12 nieces and nephews who enjoyed and appreciated her presence in their lives, and her beloved cat, Lulu. A gathering is planned to celebrate her life later this year.

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Larry Levine, well-known Vineyard businessman and the retired owner of Vineyard Dry Goods, died peacefully at his home in Henderson, Nev., on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018. He was 84.

He was born on August 18, 1933, to David and Ida (Brickman) Levine. The Levines owned and operated the Vineyard Dry Goods store in Vineyard Haven for more than 60 years, beginning in 1931. It was formerly H.L. Tilton’s dry goods store.

He attended Boston University and graduated from the college of business administration in 1955. He served in the Army during the Korean War.

Larry was known on the Island as an avid bridge player and teacher, who also enjoyed playing tennis. In 1985 he was honored by Martha’s Vineyard Community Services for his contributions to the organization.

He was a southern Nevada resident for over 15 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepdaughter, Cindy DiPietro. He is survived by Helen, his beloved wife of 38 years; two daughters, Amy Levine Roberts and Sarah Levine; son Jimmy Levine; stepson Larry Scherzer; two sons-in-law, Scott Roberts and Dr. Neal Foman; brother Robert Levine, D.D.S., and his wife Barbara; and six grandchildren, Matthew, Alexa, Mark, Jake, Michael, and Robin.

Funeral services were held in Las Vegas, Nev.

A memorial will be held on Sunday, April 8, at 1:30 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven. Light refreshments will follow.

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Betty Jane Immelt, 93, died on Monday, March 26, 2018, at Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oak Bluffs. She was predeceased by her husband, the Rev. Robert J. Immelt, in January 2009.

Her funeral service will be celebrated in the Trinity United Methodist Church in the Campgrounds of Oak Bluffs on Wednesday, March 28, at 3 pm, and burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Pacific Avenue, Oak Bluffs.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. A complete obituary will appear in another edition of this paper. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information.

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Margaret A. Goodale was a loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt. She died on Saturday morning, March 17, 2018. She was born on August 15, 1946, in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Frederick and Gwendolen Brewster. Peggy grew up in Murry Hill, N.J., and graduated from New Providence high school.

She continued her education at Vermont College, where she studied nursing with the desire to become a flight attendant. It was there that she met her husband of 50 years, Jerry. After briefly living in New Jersey, they returned to Jerry’s hometown of Vineyard Haven in 1970. For years she was a full-time mother of three, and active at Grace Church and in the community. She advocated for our hospital to allow natural childbirths and fathers to be allowed in the birthing room. She was a charter member of the Island Alamanders square-dancing club, and participated in community plays. She assumed the bookkeeper’s role at Goodale Construction in the mid-’80s.

After the death of her youngest son Jeffrey, she started the Vineyard chapter of Compassionate Friends. In 1994 she was diagnosed with cancer. After a devastating yearlong battle with the disease, she was pronounced cancer-free. She struggled for the following 24 years to regain the life she had before, enjoying travels when she could. Her hobbies included quilting, knitting, latchhook rugs, and skiing. She enjoyed her summers on the beaches of the Vineyard with family and friends.

Margaret is survived by her husband Jerry; her brothers Robert, Alan, and David Brewster; her children Marston and Peter. She leaves behind six grandchildren.

A reception will be held at Grace Church this Saturday after the funeral service, at approximately 12 pm.

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Nancy Dunleavy Kenney Burton, 87, of Oak Bluffs and Naples, Fla., died on March 27, 2018. Nancy was born in Springfield, and later moved to Wallingford and West Haven, Conn. She was predeceased by her parents, Lawrence W. and Anna D. Kenney.

She was a graduate of Classical high school in Springfield, received a bachelor’s in elementary education from Fitchburg State Teachers College, and received a master’s in education as a reading specialist along with a sixth-year degree in education. She taught first and second grade at Forest School in West Haven, Conn., where she maintained lifelong special friendships with her teaching friends and the admiration of students and parents in the community. She retired from teaching in 1996, and moved to Martha’s Vineyard to become best friend and teacher to her infant granddaughter, Annie.

Nancy’s favorite memories were of times spent at the family cottage at Crescent Lake in Enfield. In her youth she played tennis and softball, and later in life enjoyed a good round of golf. She loved her pet poodle, Katie, and had many lovely walks with her both on Martha’s Vineyard and in Naples.

Survivors include daughter Kathleen A. Burton; daughter-in-law Nancy Phillips; granddaughter Annie K. Burton; brother Lawrence J. Kenney and sister-in-law Marilyn; nieces Karen Conway, Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Martha Godfroy, and Patricia Welch; nephew Christopher Kenney; and grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.

A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 7, at 10 am at St Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven, with burial to follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Pacific Avenue in Oak Bluffs. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown MA 02539, or the Good Shepherd Parish of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information.

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