Obituaries & Death Notices

HYANNIS – From Barnstable Police: It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Retired Chief of Police Neil A. Nightingale. He passed away April 22, 2025 at the age of 91 peacefully at his family home. Chief Nightingale graduated from Barnstable High School in 1951 and joined the Barnstable Police Department […] The post Barnstable Police announce passing of long time chief with 43 years of service appeared first on CapeCod.com.

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A worker in Edgartown died yesterday after falling between 20 and 30 feet from a residential construction site located on Trapps Pond Road.  On Tuesday at 2:53 pm, Edgartown Police and Fire departments were dispatched to a report of an individual who had fallen from scaffolding. Upon arrival, they located the injured male outside where he had landed, in the walk-out basement egress.  First responders provided medical care and extricated the critically injured worker…

We were treated to a beautiful Easter Sunday after another wet, windy, chilly week. Still, every day brings the appearance of another sign of spring unfolding. The three garden centers in town were filled with all the colorful pots of pansies and bulbs one could desire. They made perfect Easter gifts, or were bought to ornament one’s own porch steps. There were egg hunts everywhere. Mike showed me pictures he took of the reportedly 3,000 candy-filled plastic eggs strewn across the field outside…

TRURO – The Town of Truro says Longnook Beach has reopened. Longnook was closed last summer because officials were concerned about someone getting hurt by an erosion-related collapse on the steep coastal bank. In 1973, an 11-year-old boy died when a cliff at Longnook collapsed.  Following a permitting process with the Cape Cod National Seashore […] The post Longnook Beach Project Completed appeared first on CapeCod.com.

Michael E. Amaral, 66, of Vineyard Haven, who died in Boston on Jan. 27, 2025, the son of the late Donald and Mary Amaral, and brother of Brian and the late Stephen Amaral, will have a celebration of life at the Portuguese-American Club on Saturday, May 3, from 1 to 4 pm. The post Services for Michael E. Amaral appeared first on The Martha's Vineyard Times.

A celebration of the life of Roger Thomas, who died on Feb. 14, 2025, will be held at the Sailing Camp in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 4 pm. The post Services for Roger Thomas appeared first on The Martha's Vineyard Times.

It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Simon D. Brooks, 39.  Simon was born in Blackpool, England, on Sept. 21, 1985, and lived in Fleetwood, England, until he moved to America. He passed on April 17, 2025, in Oak Bluffs. He was an avid golfer, and was able to meet a lot of people throughout his golf journey. He loved to play disc golf on the Vineyard, even participating in a few weekly leagues. Simon learned his love of golf from his grandfather,…

David Alan Perzanowski, 67, passed away at his West Tisbury home, surrounded by family, on April 19, 2025. David was born on July 13, 1957, to Wesley and Nancy Perzanowski in the back seat of the family’s DeSoto, on the way to the hospital in Springfield. Known affectionately by friends as “the Professor,” David graduated from Westfield High School in 1975. He received a bachelor of pharmacy degree from the University of Connecticut in 1980. David moved to the…

Phyllis Marie Smith, who lived in Havenside in Vineyard Haven, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, surrounded by friends and family, at the age of 93. A full obituary will follow in a future edition of this paper. The post Phyllis Marie Smith appeared first on The Martha's Vineyard Times.

HYANNIS – Fall River Catholic Diocese Bishop Edgar da Cunha is asking all of the faithful to join him in praying for the repose of Pope Francis, and also pray for his successor. Francis, the first Pope from the Americas, died on Monday at the age of 88. Bishop da Cunha says he had the […] The post Fall River Bishop Reflects On Passing Of Pope Francis appeared first on CapeCod.com.

Barbara Dean Hatch Keeling, 84, loving mother, sister, aunt, and great-aunt, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.  She was born on Jan. 23, 1941, in Oak Bluffs. Prior to living most recently in Abingdon, Va., she was a longtime resident of Naples and West Palm Beach, Fla. Barbara had a career as a dedicated licensed practical nurse (LPN) for more than 30 years, serving at multiple hospitals and nursing facilities in the West Palm Beach area. She found joy in spending…

Easter 2025 A.D. “Anno Domini,” is the full form of the abbreviation “A.D.,” which is Medieval Latin for “in the year of our Lord.” The modern Western Christian Calendar begins measuring years “A.D.” at the traditionally reckoned time of the conception or birth of Jesus. Jesus is believed to have been crucified when he was around 30 to 33 years old, which, according to the Western Christian Calendar, brings us to our current year as being “2025 A.D.,” approximately…

Ushering in a new era in Edgartown politics, Alex Morrison, a 42-year-old, lifelong resident who campaigned on giving voice to a new generation of Islanders, won a stunning and decisive victory for a three-year seat on the select board over incumbent Michael Donaroma, who held power for more than two decades.  The final tally showed Morrison defeating Donaroma by a more than 2-1 margin, securing 469 votes over Donoroma, who had 200. Morrison was followed by a third challenger, Glen Searle, with…

Raphael Joseph Fusco, known affectionately to friends and family as Ray, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025, at the age of 86, in Danvers.  Born on Nov. 3, 1938, in Boston, Ray was a man whose generosity, kindness, and loving nature touched the lives of all who knew him. Throughout his life, Ray was a man of many talents, and an ever-present figure in his community. He dedicated many years as a custodian at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, where his…

#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { background: url [https:] 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 { background: url [https:] 0 0 no-repeat; } 1 of 2 French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich —Jeff Duarte Fire and Honey Chicken Sandwich —Jeff Duarte My wife and I have been very excited to try the new bites at…

It’s five am. My 15-year-old cat looms over me where I lie in bed, pretending I don’t see her. “Meow,” she says plaintively. I gently shrug her off. “Meee-oooooow,” she insists. She is the last of our cats. At our peak, we had seven, but they passed away, one by one. Now there is just one tiny, ancient, orange cat named Tigerlily, screaming at me to get up. l dutifully do so, following her down the stairs, which she takes slowly, favoring one hind leg. When…

James Thomas (“Jim”) peacefully passed away in his sleep at home on March 21, 2025, at the age of 86. A native of Humboldt, Tenn., Jim was a distinguished alumnus of Fisk University, where he earned his degree in history and government. His career spanned six decades of service with the American Red Cross, where he held numerous leadership positions. His work took him around the world, with leadership roles in Vietnam, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Jordan, Liberia,…

Aquinnah will be the only Island town not to vote on a phaseout of gas-powered leaf blowers at its annual spring town meeting this year. The town approved and closed its town meeting warrant at Monday’s select board meeting in preparation for its May 13 annual town meeting. Jeffrey Madison told The Times that he was not aware of any leaf blower bylaw having been submitted to the select board for discussion. Bylaws passed in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and West Tisbury…

* Defendant involved in Massachusetts State Police Commercial Driver’s License bribery scheme BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – [DOJ MEDIA STATEMENT – NO BOOKING PHOTO PROVIDED] – A former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) trooper pleaded guilty on Friday, April 11th, to his role in an alleged conspiracy to falsify records by giving passing scores to certain Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) applicants, including individuals who had failed or did not take the CDL skills test as required by…

The Vineyard’s State House representative has filed legislation that would require a motorcycle license to drive a moped anywhere in Massachusetts, which could end moped rentals on the Island.  Falmouth representative and freshman lawmaker Thomas Moakley filed H.3743 earlier this year as a way to improve the safety of drivers — moped or other vehicle drivers on the road — as well as pedestrians and bicyclists. “These are akin to driving a motorcycle,” Moakley told The Times, adding that…

There will be a celebration of life for Fred Pekari, who died on August 9, 2024, on Saturday, April 26, at the Portuguese-American Club, Vineyard Avenue in Oak Bluffs, from 1 to 4 pm. He was the husband of Mary Hart of Chappaquiddick. The post Fred Pekari appeared first on The Martha's Vineyard Times.

Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury and Edgartown are among the first towns in Massachusetts to approve a new “seasonal communities” designation, which will provide additional tools to address the Island’s housing crunch. All three towns voted the designation through at town meetings on Tuesday with overwhelming support, and they follow just Provincetown where voters approved the distinction on Monday. The passage is a significant step toward addressing housing needs on the Cape and the Islands, according…

West Tisbury voters passed a $1.6 million override to fund the upcoming fiscal year operating budget. Voters cast their ballots Thursday at the West Tisbury Public Safety Building for various, mostly uncontested candidate races, and to vote on ballot questions.  One of these ballot questions was for an override to fund its proposed, roughly $25 million budget, a reduced version that was passed during the annual town meeting on Tuesday.…

Elizabeth Brady (“Betty”) of Vineyard Haven, a lifelong community builder, mental health advocate, and dedicated executive assistant and office manager, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025. Born in New York City in 1933, she grew up in the Bronx, child of Irish immigrants William and Anna Shortall. Betty raised a family of five children, building strong, lasting relationships along the way as the family moved through several states before eventually settling…

Aquinnah select board chair Gary Haley will be facing his first electoral rival since he was elected nearly a decade ago.  Chris Manning, Gay Head Lighthouse keeper, is the challenger running for a seat on the select board.  Aquinnah town clerk Kayla Darcy told the Times that Manning is stepping back from his other role as a constable, which he was elected to last year, to run for the board seat.  Haley, who is also a master electrician by trade, was elected to the board in 2016 after running…

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Voters in Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and West Tisbury all passed a phased-in ban of gas-powered leaf blowers at their respective town meetings on Tuesday night, starting what could eventually become an Island-wide ban. The deciding vote was closest in Oak Bluffs, where the tally came out 98 in favor and 79 against. West Tisbury was overwhelmingly supportive of the measure so much so that no hand vote was required. Edgartown voted 197 in favor and 42 against. Landscapers…

Robert M. Sawyer of Tisbury passed away peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2025, at his home on Martha’s Vineyard. He was 87 years old.  Robert was born in 1937 to David and Thelma Sawyer in Brookline, where he was raised with his siblings Jerry Sawyer, Sandra Kurson, and the late Kenneth Sawyer. After graduating from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he relocated to Chicago to pursue new business ventures. Robert was a respected real estate expert,…

We are finally getting some much-needed April showers. Daffodils are blooming all over town. There are tiny green leaves showing on the earliest autumn olive and multiflora rose bushes, the first pale blossoms on magnolias and cherry trees. Don’t forget to watch the new trees that were planted on Brandy Brow and around the town center last year. I remember having invited Debby Athearn and Betty Haynes over for lunch and to see the daffodils I had planted the previous fall. They were blooming in…

Gail R. (Combra) Landers passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at home, surrounded by her family. She was 71. Born in Oak Bluffs on Oct. 11, 1953, to Philip R. and Anita E. (Rose) Combra, she was the youngest of four siblings. As a hard-working single parent, Gail devoted her life to raising her daughter, who was her pride and joy. Family and friends were everything to her. She cherished traditions, especially the holidays and large family gatherings,…

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal to re-establish federal funding for a Vineyard veterans counseling program bracing for federal spending cuts never made it to the Senate floor. According to U.S. Senate staffers who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Senate leaders of both parties — Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, and John Thune, a South Dakotan Republican — decided which amendments filed by Senators would receive a vote. Warren’s amendment that would have helped Martha’s…

Edwin J. Griggs passed away peacefully at home on April 2, after a two-month battle with cancer. He was 74.  Ed was born in Belleview, Ill. He grew up in many places, due to his father’s military service. He learned to make friends quickly; a trait that would manifest throughout his life. While in high school, he played trumpet in an amateur band. He lived his later teens and early 20s as a real hippie; he traveled across Canada by hopping trains, hitchhiked extensively,…

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Carole J. Sittard, 82, of Oak Bluffs, formerly of Chicopee. Carole passed away peacefully, with her loving husband of nearly 59 years at her side. Born to Wilbur and Irene (Mercure) Simard in Chicopee, Carole graduated from Chicopee High School and Westfield State College. She began her career as a dedicated teacher in the elementary schools of Chicopee before taking time to raise her family. Afterward, she returned…

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#tdi_4 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { background: url [https:] 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_4 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 { background: url [https:] 0 0 no-repeat; } 1 of 2 Male Colletes inaequalis, photographed in Vineyard Haven this past March 16. —Matt Pelikan Female Lasioglossum cinctipes, photographed in Vineyard Haven this…

Roger L. Thomas passed away peacefully on Feb. 14, 2025, at the age of 73, surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born on March 17, 1951, in Providence, R.I., to Ida May (“Holly”) Thomas and Edward (“Ted”) Thomas. In 1964, his family moved from East Greenwich, R.I., to Vineyard Haven, though their love for the Island began long before. Summers were spent aboard their 24-foot sailboat, where a family of five made cherished memories on the water. As a teenager,…

In the last minutes of the first day of spring, Johnny Athearn peacefully passed away. He had been patiently coping with illness for several years. During that time, he was able to enjoy the devotion of his friends, family, and caregivers, for which he would always show his gratitude. Johnny was born in 1951, in the 10th generation of his family’s residence on Martha’s Vineyard, the fourth child of Elmer (“Mike”) Athearn and Elizabeth Brehm Athearn. Growing…

James L. Harrison Jr. passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his loving family at home in Edgartown, following a long illness.  He was born on Oct. 8, 1931, in New York, N.Y., to James L. and Pauline M. Harrison. Jim was a man of many talents and interests, living a life dedicated to his family, community service, and the love of nature. He attended the Buckley School in New York City (class of 1946), graduated from St. Paul’s…

Dennis J. Beckwith of Oak Bluffs passed away peacefully early on the morning of Monday, March 24, 2025, at Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 71 years old. Dennis dedicated his life to his work, running a successful electrical business from 1987 until his retirement in 2017. Yet it was his true passion for carpentry that defined his spirit. Dennis’ dream was realized when he and Nancy purchased their island home on Martha’s Vineyard, a Victorian…

Starting next week, voters will be asked to impose limitations on one of the largest industries on the Vineyard, when town meeting attendees across the Island decide whether or not to limit and eventually phase out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers completely.  The idea is to cut down on noise and environmental pollution by transitioning to battery-powered technology. Under proposals at five town meetings — including Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, and West Tisbury on Tuesday, April 8 — gas-powered…

I was waiting for Iyla at the Chilmark School last Thursday afternoon, watching all the activity, listening to children talking and laughing. Kate was serving snacks at a table, then everyone laid yoga mats on the floor to exercise. Books, games, lots of Legos, and art supplies were all to hand. What a contrast with my own elementary school days. Miss Isabel O’Shea, the principal of Veteran’s Park Elementary School, was a tyrant. She patrolled the halls with a ruler in her hand. She wore tailored…

Gail R. (Combra) Landers, 71, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at home, surrounded by her family.  A full obituary and service announcement will follow. The post Gail R. Landers appeared first on The Martha's Vineyard Times.

The Broadway play “The Shark Is Broken,” a comedy drama based on the making of the movie “Jaws,” is coming to the Vineyard this summer in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary. The play is currently touring the U.K. and Ireland, after showing from August to November 2023 on Broadway in New York’s John Golden Theatre. It will be on the Vineyard amid the height of events commemorating the premiere anniversary of “Jaws” on June 20. “The Shark is Broken” is based on real…

#tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { background: url [https:] 0 0 no-repeat; } #tdi_1 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 { background: url [https:] 0 0 no-repeat; } 1 of 2 Left to right: Gail Barmakian, Benjamin Robert Clark, and Amy Lee Del Torto are running to be Oak Bluffs town clerk. —Eunki Seonwoo Sean DeBettencourt is running…

HYANNIS – A campaign is being launched to provide a new sanctuary on Cape Cod for families who are grieving the death of their child. Nine-year-old William Shaw died in a tragic skiing accident in Big Sky, Montana in 2019. His family is looking to raise two-million dollars to purchase a property which will be […] The post Family Campaigning For House On Cape To Serve Grieving Families appeared first on CapeCod.com.

As the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival enters its 25th year, it will host its first-ever head of state — former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who held office from 2017–2023 and rose to prominence for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Right Honorable Dame will appear for a Friday evening showing of the documentary “Prime Minister,” which tells the story of her two terms with recordings including home videos taken by her husband. “Prime Minister,” directed…