Obituaries & Death Notices

CHATHAM – Andrew “Fitzy” Fitzgerald, the last surviving member of the Coast Guard crew that famously rescued 32 men from a sinking oil tanker during a 1952 nor’easter, passed away at age of 86 on Thursday. The historic rescue, known as “the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history,” was documented by Casey Sherman... .

  TRURO – Truro voters passed a zoning by law this week that sets limits on the size and location of marijuana farms. The move didn’t come without some back and forth between farmers and town officials. The Planning board proposed a marijuana land use by-law that restricts the farms to a specific area of town... .

CHATHAM — The last surviving member of the Coast Guard crew aboard the motor lifeboat 36500 during the historic 1952 rescue of 32 seamen off the stricken oil tanker Pendleton rescue has died.Andrew Fitzgerald — known as a funny, brave and reluctant hero — was 86.“It was a dark and stormy night,” Fitzgerald would say at the start of the story about the harrowing night of Feb. 18. 1952, which forever changed his life.As a [...]

SAGAMORE BEACH — Blue, green, red, and orange children’s hand prints lined a barren hallway above empty coat hooks, used by the generations of students who attended the Ella F. Hoxie Elementary School.The building, which was built in 1909, has been lying dormant since the last class passed through its doors in 2010.“It meant a lot to the people in the village here,” said Peter Meier, chairman of the Bourne Board of Selectmen. “They…

Thursday, November 15, 2018 - 2:31pm Harriet Hickie Harriet D. (Greene) Hickie of Kingston, formerly of Martha’s Vineyard, died on Nov. 11. Born in North Tisbury on July 15, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Louis M. and Zelma (Adams) Greene. She was educated in Tisbury and was a graduate of Tisbury High School. She was a lifelong resident of the Vineyard where she enjoyed bird watching and gardening. She was the wife of the late William Wesley Hickie and the…

Thursday, November 15, 2018 - 2:25pm Edmund C. Cottle Sr. died early Friday early morning, Nov. 9, at his home in West Tisbury. He was 87. He was the husband of Elizabeth G. (Betty) Cottle and father of Edmund Cottle Jr, Alan Cottle, Janet Johnson, Jill Walpole and Amy Look. A graveside service for the interment of his cremains will be held on Sat., Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lambert’s Cove Cemetery in West Tisbury. The Rev. Vicky Hanjian will officiate. Donations…

Thursday, November 15, 2018 - 2:18pm Margaret Steinberg died on Sunday, Nov. 4 at the age of 69. Peggy was born in Concord, N.H. and moved to Boston to train at the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene. After working briefly, she put herself through nursing school at the Massachusetts General Hospital and then completed her bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Northeastern University. With additional training, she subsequently became a nurse practitioner in adult medicine.…

Thursday, November 15, 2018 - 2:09pm Don Macdonald died at Mass General Hospital in Boston on Nov. 6 as a result of a stroke he suffered on Oct. 24. Donald Earle Sherburne was born in Woburn on February 16, 1943 to Ginnie Farnham and Earle Sherburne. In 1950, Don moved to Martha’s Vineyard with his mother and younger brother, Jon. While on the Island, his mother met and married Herb Combra Sr. Don adopted his stepfather’s last name and was known as Don Combra through…

Thursday, November 15, 2018 - 1:36pm Dr. Patricia Veronica Symonds, 86, of Providence, R.I., Cuttyhunk and Useppa Island, Fla. died on Nov. 6 at St. Elizabeth’s Manor in Bristol, R.I. with her husband Alan at her side. She had been in declining health for several months. Patricia was the first of three children born in Liverpool, England to Walter and Anita (Stenberg) Heard on March 21, 1932. After high school, she married before emigrating to the United States in…

Thursday, November 15, 2018 - 1:34pm Laurence Michie, former television editor of Variety and a former editor at the Vineyard Gazette, died Nov. 7 at an assisted living facility in Hadley. He was 77 and had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Larry Michie was known to many on the Island where he and his wife Virginia lived and worked for about 10 years beginning in the early 1990s. Born in Chicago, he was raised by a pair of aunts in Racine, Wis. He attended…

Publicist Jeremy Westby said Clark died Thursday due to complications from pneumonia at home in Tulsa, Okla.

William J. (“Bill”) Stafursky, 70, died unexpectedly and peacefully at home on Nov. 1, 2018. He was born in Greenfield on March 28, 1948, to Bill and Norma (Whalen) Stafursky, and attended junior college until 1967. When he realized that he would be drafted, he enlisted in the Army. He was wounded within months of... ...

The 14th annual 5K for KJ is set for Saturday, Nov. 24, at 10 am on the cross-country course at MVRHS. The race through the Manuel Correllus State Forest was established in honor of former MVRHS student and cross-country runner Kevin H. Johnson, who died in an automobile accident on Martha’s Vineyard in 2004 at... ...

HARWICH – The town of Harwich is hoping the creation of accessory dwelling units could help alleviate some of its affordable housing issues. An Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaw is being written with hopes of presenting it to voters at the next town meeting. If passed, it would allow for an accessory apartment within an... .

As we celebrated memories of those who served, suffered and died for freedom on Veterans Day, my disappointment in a U.S. president who would not attend an international commemoration of soldiers who died in World War I because of a light rain could not be greater.Scheduled to pay tribute at a ceremony at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, the White House indicated the trip was canceled because of “scheduling…

HARWICH — Caroline “Gracie” Horvath was a caring, loving, intelligent, loyal friend known to brighten every room she walked into, according to friends and family.She died early Saturday morning in a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Long Pond Drive and Oak Street. She was 24.“Gracie was a real light in our lives,” her mother, Sarah Grant of Orleans, said Tuesday. “She was happy, she was funny, she loved us deeply,…

Don Macdonald died at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on Nov. 6, 2018, as a result of a stroke he suffered on Oct. 24. Donald Earle Sherburne was born in Woburn on Feb. 16, 1943, to Ginnie Farnham and Earle Sherburne. In 1950, Don moved to Martha’s Vineyard with his mother and younger brother, Jon.... ...

HARWICH — Police have identified the 24-year-old woman who died early Saturday morning in a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Long Pond Drive and Oak Street as Caroline Horvath.The vehicle Horvath, 24, of Harwich, was driving struck a utility pole and she died as a result of her injuries, according to Harwich police Sgt. Aram Goshgarian.The crash occurred at roughly 1:55 a.m. Saturday. Police and fire officials…

Deck: Sea turtle was rescued in Eastham...Towns: EasthamWellfleetTopic: NewsHub Category: OutdoorsAuthor: CapeCodToday StaffTeaser: Sea turtle was rescued in Eastham...Main Image: Main Image Credit: Rescuers work with a leatherback sea turtle in Eastham Sunday. Mass. Audubon reports the turtle did not survive. (Mass Audubon photo by Heather Pilchard)Thumbnail Image: Body:  From the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary... Sad news to...

Those of us who are not of the Jewish faith may have failed to see the signs before a crazed gunman recently opened fire in a Pittsburgh synagogue, but prominent Jews throughout the United States report that anti-Semitic acts and rhetoric have been steadily on the rise since the 2016 presidential election cycle.Now, however, no one, either Jew or Gentile, can ignore the fact that the hot coals of hatred that most of us hoped had long ago died out in this country remain…

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Comic book genius Stan Lee, the architect of the contemporary comic book, has died. He was 95. The creative dynamo who revolutionized the comics by introducing human frailties in superheroes such as Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk, was declared dead Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center... .

LOS ANGELES — Comic book genius Stan Lee, the architect of the contemporary comic book, has died. He was 95.The creative dynamo who revolutionized the comics by introducing human frailties in superheroes such as Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk, was declared dead Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to Kirk Schenck, an attorney for Lee's daughter, J.C. Lee.As the top writer at Marvel Comics and later as its [...]

David Terasconi, 64 Nantucket Island Inquirer SOUTH DENNIS - David Terasconi, 64, passed away on November 2, 2018 at Brigham and Women's Hospital after a long courageous battle with Leukemia. David was the beloved husband of Carol (Whalen) Terasconi and loving father to Nicole C.

Nantucket Island InquirerGrace M. Conley, 100 Nantucket Island Inquirer HYANNIS - Grace M. Conley, 100, died peacefully on Friday, November 9, 2018. She was the beloved wife of the late George E. Conley with whom she shared 47 years of marriage. Grace was born in Worcester on February 20, 1918 to the late Joseph and ...

Nantucket Island InquirerRichard John Tremblay, 70 Nantucket Island Inquirer FALMOUTH - Richard John Tremblay, 70, of Falmouth, formerly of Clearwater, FL, passed away unexpectedly at home on November 5, 2018. He was the beloved son of the late Julius and Christine Tremblay. Richard grew up in Boston. He worked as an ...

Robert Philip Coyne Nantucket Island Inquirer OSTERVILLE - Mr. Robert (Bob) Philip Coyne, of Longboat Key, Florida and Osterville, Massachusetts, born on November 28, 1941 in Boston, Massachusetts, to the late Eleanor Scully Coyne and the late George Kermit Coyne, Sr., passed away at age 76 on ...

PROVINCETOWN – From U.S. Attorney’s office Providence, RI: A Provincetown, MA, man found passed out in a vehicle in Warwick, RI, by police, and to be in possession of more than 230 grams of methamphetamine, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Providence to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Gregory Lee, 49, […] The post Provincetown man pleads guilty to trafficking in meth appeared first on CapeCod.com.

HARWICH — A female driver who struck a utility pole at the intersection of Long Pond Drive and Oak Street died as a result of her injuries, according to a Harwich Police Department Facebook post.The crash occurred at roughly 1:55 a.m. Saturday. Police and fire officials responded to the scene and found that the vehicle had struck the poll and rolled onto its side, the post says.The driver suffered fatal injuries, according to the post.Harwich police and the Cape…

Saturday, November 10, 2018 - 7:08am Edmund C. Cottle Sr. died early Friday morning, Nov. 9, at his home in West Tisbury. He was 87. He was the husband of Elizabeth G. (Betty) Cottle and father of Edmund Cottle Jr, Alan Cottle, Janet Johnson, Jill Walpole and Amy Look. A graveside service for the interment of his cremains will be held on Sat., Nov. 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Lambert’s Cove Cemetery in West Tisbury. The Rev. Vicky Hanjian will officiate. Donations in his…

Fred Bommer of Centerville died Oct. 31. This extraordinary man was a math enrichment volunteer in the Barnstable Public Schools for over 20 years, and I had the privilege of working alongside him for 12 of those years.Fred was the great-grandparent of the several thousand fourth- and fifth-grade students he taught over the years, but to the children, he was a rock star! Fred chose to teach four full days per week, his creativity capturing the imagination of the students.…

On the wall of my study is a bronze plaque and scroll from the King of England honoring my uncle Bertie of the Scottish Highland Light Infantry, who died in the First World War in Flanders Fields.On Sept. 23, 1917, the early morning ground fog concealed Bertie’s battalion as it attacked German troops on the lowlands near the Menin Road Bridge in Belgium. The new “leap-frog” tactic devised by the British generals seemed to be working for the Highland…

William “Jack” Harrison, 68, — an avid cyclist, poet, and native Cape Codder who was considered a go-to guy and Renaissance man — died earlier this week after being struck while riding his bicycle in Venice, Florida.“He has left a really wide swath of devastated people because of this ridiculous tragedy,” said Lansdale Patterson a longtime family friend. “He was a thoughtful, bright, lovely guy.”On Oct. 30,…

Edmund C. Cottle, Sr., 87, died on Friday early morning, Nov. 9,  2018, at his home in West Tisbury. He was married to Elizabeth G. ‘Betty’ Cottle and was father of Edmund Cottle, Jr, Alan Cottle, Janet Johnson, Jill Walpole and Amy Look. Ed’s graveside service for the burial of his cremains will be held... ...

David William McDonald Nantucket Island Inquirer HYANNIS - David William McDonald, U.S. Army 63rd ordinance Veteran passed away after a gallant battle with cancer October 13, 2018 at the age of 58. Son of the late Edward J. and Alice P. (Murphy) McDonald of Centerville. Brother of Edward J. and his ...

Roger W. Vose, 63 Nantucket Island Inquirer ORLEANS - Roger Williams Vose, 63, a retired teacher and mediator, died on October 30, 2018 at the Cape Cod Hospital from complications due to diabetes. He was the son of Amelia Cutler (Thompson) Vose and Herbert Phelps Vose. Mr. Vose was born in ...

William "Jack" Harrison, 68 - an avid cyclist, poet, and native Cape Codder who was considered a go-to-guy and renaissance man - died earlier this week after being struck while riding his bicycle in Venice Florida."He has left a really wide swath of devastated people because of this ridiculous tragedy," said Lansdale Patterson a long-time family friend. "He was a thoughtful, bright, lovely guy."On Oct. 30, Harrison was one of four cyclists hit on Center Road…

Samuel W. Keavy, 93 Nantucket Island Inquirer BARNSTABLE - Samuel W. Keavy, 93 of Barnstable, MA died peacefully on November 4, 2018. He was born October 13, 1925 on Nantucket, MA to Vincent and Lisa Keavy. He enlisted in the Navy and served honorably in WWII, in the Pacific theatre and was ...

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 3:20pm Elizabeth Bitzer Selman died at her home on Oct. 28, in Fort Collins, Colo. after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 58. Polly, as she was called, was born Nov. 14, 1959, in Los Angeles, Calif. to John Frederick Bitzer Jr. and the late Mary Adams Bitzer. Polly grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa., attending Kerr Elementary School and Dorseyville Middle School. For high school, she graduated from The MacDuffie School in Springfield. She…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 3:18pm Katherine Wilson Farrow Jorrens, who brought such joy and brightness to the world, died on Sept. 25, peacefully and on her own terms at the home of her wonderful caregiver, Bill Kilgour, and in the company of her loving family. Kit was born in Rochester, New York, on March 15, 1935, the daughter of Edward Samuel Farrow Jr., and Ruth Wilson Farrow. Her father was a vice president and general manager at Eastman Kodak, and she carried…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 3:16pm Barbara F. Nicholson of Quincy and Oak Bluffs died on Nov. 3. After her husband’s retirement, Barbara enjoyed traveling to Europe, spending winters in Florida and summers on Martha’s Vineyard. Barbara found joy when surrounded by her family. She had a loving impact on many, with a strength and compassion that lifted others. She enjoyed quilting and the wonderful friends and pets that made her time enjoyable. She was married to…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 3:13pm Donald E. Macdonald, 75, of West Tisbury died on Tue., Nov. 6 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was the husband of Betsy L. Macdonald and father of Chris and Jared Macdonald. Visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home will be held on Friday, Nov. 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. His graveside service will be on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. in the West Tisbury Cemetery, State Road, West Tisbury. Donations may be made…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 1:42pm Janet Matz Riley of Edgartown died at home on August 17. She was born on Dec. 7, 1925, in Milford, Conn. to John Frederick Matz and Grace Allard Matz. Driven by curiosity, Janet had a passion for learning. A perennial student, she attended courses on diverse subjects including geology, art history and chemistry. While her children were in high school, she studied at Yale and Southern Connecticut State…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 1:39pm Gretchen D. Belknap died Nov. 3 at Maristhill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Waltham after a period of failing health. She was 87. She was born Dec. 19, 1930 to the late Roger and Dorothy Dykema, and grew up in Riverside, Conn. She married John (Jack) H. Belknap, also of Riverside, in 1952. They raised their family in Cos Cob, Conn. and summered for many years at Lake Tashmoo. Gretchen graduated from Greenwich High School and…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 1:35pm Robert MacPherson (Stretch) Gardiner, of Gulfstream, Fla, died on Nov. 3. He was 95. Stretch was born on Nov. 17, 1922 in Denver, Colo. and raised on Auburn Farm in Thurmont, Md. He attended Trinity-Pawling School and graduated from Princeton in 1943. During Wrols War II he was a U.S. army officer in the 78th Infantry Division serving in France and Germany for which he was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 1:27pm William J. Stafursky of Oak Bluffs died unexpectedly on Thursday morning, Nov. 1, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was 70. He was the husband of Margaret A. Stafursky and father of Monica Crozier of Marlborough, Robert E. Stafursky of Lowell and Joshua Stafursky of Lincoln, Neb. Visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs will be held on Friday, Nov. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial mass will be…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 1:13pm Ute Hargreaves died in Sarasota, Fla., on Nov. 2. She was 89. She was born Ute Hertha Ziemer, on June 26, 1929, in Schmalkalden, Thuringia, in Germany. Her parents, Friedrich Ziemer and Christine Schirmeyer Ziemer, were both doctors. Ute recalled times in the pre-World War II economy when a number of her parents’ patients had little cash and would barter for medical services. Her lifelong aversion to goat cheese dated to a time…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 1:03pm William S. Kaden died on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Care Dimensions Hospice in Lincoln. He was 83. Bill was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1935, and would relish in the parties and fireworks each year. He was a son of the late George J. and Anna Kaden. Born and raised in Dorchester, he was a graduate of Boston Latin High School and later served in the army. Bill graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree and earned his…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 1:00pm On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 27, Earl I. Runner 3rd, of Cuttingsville, Vt., known by his friends and family as Tersh, died due to the effects of a recent illness. Tersh was born on Oct. 18, 1949 in New York city, to father Earl I. Runner and mother Faith H. Illava. His family traveled during his childhood, bringing Tersh and his sister, Faith “Hasty” Runner to encounter many new places and cultures, establishing his love of learning,…

Thursday, November 8, 2018 - 12:53pm John T. Hughes Jr. died Wednesday, Oct. 31 at Hope Hospice in Sandwich. Jack, as he was called, was born on April 10, 1951, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to John T. Hughes and the late Virginia S. Hughes. Jack loved the natural beauty of the Vineyard. He had special places all over the Island. He would jump off the drawbridge in the summer, ice skate in the winter and go coasting in Cat Hollow with family and friends. He went…