Obituaries & Death Notices

This is the first Yom Kippur without my sister. Yom Kippur is the holiest of all the Jewish holidays. It’s about forgiveness and repentance. I learned early you don’t forgive people because they deserve forgiveness; you forgive because you deserve peace. My sister died in December and they say all the firsts are the... ...

Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 2:21pm Dolores Tinney Valeriano of Oak Bluffs died on Sept. 4 at her home. She was 92. She was the wife of the late Daniel J. Valeriano and was known as Dee or Deezee. She was born in Derby, Conn., to the late Raymond Jr. and Margueriette Battle Tinney on June 14, 1929. She was raised in Ansonia, Conn., and attended Ansonia High School. She also lived in New Haven. She worked for U.S. Rubber Company, known as Uniroyal, in Naugatuck until…

So much conversation this week has been about where we were and how we became aware of the events of September 11, 2001. TV news has covered and recovered it, with ceremonies, reminiscences, readings of names of those who died that day. I wondered how families felt, having to see those images, having to relive... ...

1:51 pm, September 15, 2021Robert Schwartz, known as Bob, died on April 21, 2020 He was a former longtime resident of Music street in West Tisbury and the architect of The Field Gallery building.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 1:47pm Dr. John C. Hartley died on August 30 at Massachusetts General Hospital, after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 and was a well-known Edgartown dentist. He was born Dec. 7, 1950 in Pittsburgh, Penn., hence his passion for the Pittsburgh Steelers and all things sports. He graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and went on to receive his…

Wednesday, September 15, 2021 - 1:45pm Herbert Paul Golub died on August 19. He was 81, and had been a practicing clinical psychologist for almost 50 years, retiring just before his 75th birthday. He was born in July 1940, the only child of Benjamin and Janet Golub. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts. He subsequently earned two graduate degrees from Boston University, did post-doctoral work at the Harvard Laboratory of Community…

John C. Hartley passed away on August 30, 2021, at Massachusetts General Hospital, after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old. John Hartley was born on Dec. 7, 1950, in Pittsburgh, Pa., hence his passion for the Pittsburgh Steelers and all things sports. John graduated from Allderdice High School. He earned... ...

Herbert Paul Golub, Ph.D., 81, died on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at his home in Chilmark. Herbert Golub was born in Boston, the only offspring of Benjamin and Janet Golub. He was a practicing clinical psychologist for almost 50 years, retiring just short of his 75th birthday.  Dr. Golub received his Ph.D. from the... ...

Donald Read Shanor of Edgartown and Chappaquiddick, foreign correspondent, author, and former Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism professor, died on August 31, 2021, at his Edgartown home after a brief illness. He was 94.  He and his late wife, Constance (Collier) Shanor, first came to Martha’s Vineyard... ...

Jennifer L. (Colligan) Kuehne, 46, of Marstons Mills, passed away on April 19, 2021, at Cape Cod Hospital after a yearlong battle with cancer. She was the daughter of Thomas Colligan of Edgartown and Paula Strople of Daytona Beach, Fla.  Jen is survived by her loving children Alyssa and Oliver Kuehne, her parents... ...

12:12 pm, September 11, 2021Church bells tolled and emergency responders stood in silent salute Saturday morning as Martha’s Vineyard marked the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11 in quiet ways, to commemorate the people who died in the terrorist attacks in New York city.

Dolores Tinney Valeriano, “Dee” or “Deezee,” 92, of Oak Bluffs, passed away on Sept. 4, 2021, at her home. She was born in Derby, Conn., to Raymond Jr. and Margueriette (Battle) Tinney on June 14, 1929. She was the wife of the late Daniel J. Valeriano Dolores was raised in Ansonia, Conn., where she attended... ...

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 4:12pm The family of Dale Robert Morgan will inter his ashes at the Westside Cemetery in Edgartown on Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. All are welcome to attend. Dale died on Sept. 25, 2019. Article Updated: Date Updated: Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 4:12pm

Two collegiate skaters from the Martha’s Vineyard Figure Skating Club ended their summer on the ice on a high note.  Sally Caron, a junior at Fairfield University and 2019 graduate of MVRHS, passed her Junior Ladies Freestyle test. The Junior level is the penultimate test in all skating disciplines offered by U.S.... ...

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 12:33pm William Scott Turpie, son of Joy and Bill Turpie of Vineyard Haven, died July 30. He was 52. A complex person with a generous and loving spirit who was always willing to help others, Scott was born Jan. 23, 1969. He grew up in Hingham, graduated from Hingham High School and attended Arizona State University. He had a lifelong interest in design and architecture from an early age, and sketched homes with remarkable accuracy and…

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 12:28pm Donald Read Shanor of Edgartown and Chappaquiddick died August 31 at his Edgartown home after a brief illness. He was 94 and was a longtime journalist who had been a foreign correspondent and taught at the Columbia School of Journalism. Don and his late wife, Constance Collier Shanor, who died in 2018, had been year-round Pierce Lane residents since 1985 and seasonal residents for 12 years before…

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 12:21pm Spencer Huntington Nitchie of Baltimore died on Friday, August 6 after a short illness. He was 57. He was a musician, father, husband, brother, son and loving friend to many. He was widely known as an exponent of Maryland’s Irish traditional music community, and was respected for his expertise on the tenor banjo, Irish flute, fiddle, concertina and guitar. Spencer was born on Martha’s Vineyard on Dec. 17, 1963, the youngest…

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 12:18pm Louis C. Tresselt of Madison, Conn., died peacefully on August 30, surrounded by his loving family. He was 92. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Betty, who was originally from Edgartown. Lou enjoyed his many visits with family and friends to the Island throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He especially relished his days and nights on the beach, casting for stripers and blues. He is survived by his son David…

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 12:16pm David B. Butchman of Vineyard Haven died at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on Sept. 2. He was 75. A complete obituary will be published in a future edition of the Gazette. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Article Updated: Date Updated: Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 12:16pm

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - 12:12pm The Rev. James R. Hansen of Hanover, N.H. died August 22 after a brief period of declining health. He was 97. He and his family were summer residents on Trinity Park in the Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs for 41 years. Born on April 21, 1924 to Otto and Amelia Hansen, Jim grew up in Chicago. After a year of college, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a gunnery instructor for four years. On his return from the service, he…

On Friday, August 6, 2021, Spencer Huntington Nitchie of Baltimore, Md., died after a short illness. He was 57, a musician, father, husband, brother, son, and loving friend to many. He was widely known as an exponent of Maryland’s Irish traditional music community, and was respected for his expertise on the tenor... ...

William Scott Turpie, the son of Joy and Bill Turpie, died on July 30, 2021. He was a complex person with a generous and loving spirit, who was always willing to help others. Scott was born on Jan. 23, 1969, and grew up in Hingham, where he attended the Hingham schools, and was a graduate […] The post William... ...

Rosemary Elizabeth Gambino passed away comfortably in her bed, surrounded by loved ones, after a nearly two-year battle with small cell lung cancer. She was 70. Rosemary was born in Middletown, N.Y., to Margery Horton Gambino and Charles Gambino on Jan. 17, 1951. She attended our Lady of Mount Carmel in her early... ...

David B. Butchman, 75, of Vineyard Haven, passed away on Sept. 2, 2021, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.  A complete obituary will appear in a later edition of this paper, and a service will be announced at a later date. The post David B. Butchman appeared first on The Martha's Vineyard Times. ...

A memorial service for Rosemary E. Gambino will be held on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 2 to 7 pm, at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. Rosemary passed away on August 27, 2021. The post Rosemary E. Gambino appeared first on The Martha's Vineyard Times. ...

HYANNIS – A silent candlelight vigil will take place by the Hyannis Rotary on Friday, September 3, to honor the U.S. service members who recently died in Afghanistan. The Cape Cod Marine Corps League has organized the event. Members of the public are invited to gather next to the IPR Cape Cod Church, between Iyannough... .

Thursday, September 2, 2021 - 2:30pm A celebration of life for John S. Moffet will be held on Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Federated Church of Martha’s Vineyard in Edgartown. All are welcome. Mr. Moffet died in June 2020 after battling cancer. He was 68. Article Updated: Date Updated: Thursday, September 2, 2021 - 2:30pm

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 4:48pm Rosemary E. Gambino of Vineyard Haven died on August 27 at home. She was 70. A complete obituary will be appear in a future edition of the Gazette. Service information will be announced at a later date. Article Updated: Date Updated: Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 4:48pm

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 4:45pm Shirley Erickson Powers, formerly of Edgartown, died August 8 at Penney Retirement Community in Penney Farms, Fla. She was 100. She was “the best Mom ever” to Judy, Richard and William, all of Edgartown. Arrangements are under the care of the Helm-Gallagher Funeral Home in Green Cove Springs, Fla. and services were held there. Article Updated: Date Updated: Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 4:45pm

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 4:38pm Raymond H. Kellman, retired fashion photographer and longtime Chilmark resident, died on Friday, August 27. He was 97. He was born Oct. 17, 1923 to Max Kellman, an immigrant tailor from Poland, and Mollie Kaplan Kellman from Brooklyn. He and his sisters Ruth and Shirley grew up in Brooklyn during the Depression. He worked for his father, pushing racks of clothing on the streets of New York city. His education at City College of…

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 4:29pm Carl Robert (Bob) Johnson died on August 24 in Hollywood, Fla. He was 90, just six days shy of his 91st birthday. He was born in White Plains, N.Y. on August 30, 1930. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. A longtime resident of Hollywood, he was employed by Hill York Service Corporation of Fort Lauderdale for 30 years as chief estimator for HVAC systems. He also was a mechanical contractor for commercial…

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 4:19pm The Rev. Dr. John David Schule died March 12, 2020 after a long battle with cancer. He was 89. Reverend Schule had served as pastor of the Federated Church from 1978 through 1998. He was an integral part of the Island community, helping to bring Hospice to the Island, establishing an interdenominational youth group that made numerous off-Island outings, bringing together year-round and seasonal parishoners, and growing church membership.…

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 4:06pm Arlene Hirschfelder died August 21 in Englewood, N.J., with her family surrounding her. She was 78. She was born in 1943 in Chicago and grew up surrounded by history books and a family where reading and writing were deemed as important as breathing and eating. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and M.A.T. from the University of Chicago. She started her career as an American history teacher in Ladue, Mo.,…

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 3:59pm Dorothy May Gregory died of a cardiac arrest at her home in West Tisbury on August 18. She was 76. She was born in Fort Covington, N.Y. on June 6, 1945. Her parents had met on the Queen Elizabeth II, heading to war in Europe. She was named for her mother, who served as a nurse. Her father worked with the Veteran’s Administration and oversaw his chicken farm. She grew up the eldest of seven children in Peru, N.Y. Growing up, she…

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 3:55pm Mary Jane (MJ) Vance Grant, of Edgartown and Vero Beach, Fla. died peacefully at her home in Florida on August 20 with her daughter by her side. She was 77. She was born Sept. 18, 1943 in Columbus, Ohio. She moved to New York city literally 45 minutes after graduating from Ohio State University. She loved her career in fashion as a buyer for Bloomingdale’s until her parents convinced her to move to Boca Raton to open a luxury…

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 3:48pm Robert Bonnar Doane died May 20 with all three of his children, Linda, Cynthia and Robert, at his side. He was 92. His wife of 28 years, Rosemarie Duys (Doody) Doane, predeceased him last year. Robert was born in Melrose, the son of Arthur Johnstone Doane and Mary Elizabeth Bonnar. He was a graduate of Melrose High School, class of 1946. After high school, he graduated first in his class at the Wentworth Institute of Technology,…

In 1955 in Hartford, Conn., in the middle of a raging recession, I took a sip of my last straw. I had applied for housekeeping positions at four different motels and was told I needed experience. I was 15. My mother was 44, and my father had just died of a heart attack in a […] The post Writing from the Heart:... ...

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 - 9:43am Donald H. Lyons of West Tisbury died at his home on August 24. He was 94. He was born in Greenfield on July 15, 1927 and grew up in Floral Park, N.Y. His school activities were highlighted by music and baseball. While studying at Bowdoin College, he celebrated his lifelong delight in music by becoming a member of the a capella double quartet the Meddiebempsters; he eventually directed the group. Don joined the U.S. Marines just…

Rosemary E. Gambino, 70, of Vineyard Haven, passed away at her home on August 27, 2021.  A complete obituary will appear in a future edition of this paper, and services will be announced at a later date. The post Rosemary E. Gambino appeared first on The Martha's Vineyard Times. ...

William Cooper Barendse (“Bill”) died on August 5, 2021, in Kalispell, Mont., where he lived, worked, and climbed the mountains he loved. He was 42. We will remember him for his friendliness to all and his charismatic personality. At the time of his death, he was employed clearing trees around the electrical... ...

The Rev. Dr. John David Schule passed on March 12, 2020, after a long battle with cancer.  John D. Schule served as the pastor of the Federated Church from 1978 thru 1998, and continued to serve as pastor emeritus as needed. He was an integral part of the Island community. He was able to bring […] The post The... ...

A celebration of life for Deidre O’Connell Diodati will be held on Sunday, Sept. 12, at noon on Oak Bluffs Town Beach, between the jetty and the lifeguard tower, in front of the Capricorn House B&B. In the event of rain, the celebration will be held the following day. Deidre passed on April 5, 2021, […] The... ...

Don Lyons died on August 24, 2021, at the age of 94, after suffering with kidney disease. Even with only his wife Joni, his nurse Fiona, and the cat as audience, Don continued singing to the very end. As Joni said, “Don was always a class act — in living and in dying.” Don was […] The post Services Wednesday... ...

Raymond H. Kellman, retired fashion photographer and longtime Chilmark resident, died on Friday, August 27, 2021, at age 97. Raymond was born on Oct. 17, 1923, to Max Kellman, an immigrant tailor from Poland, and Mollie (née Kaplan) Kellman from Brooklyn, N.Y. His life spanned nearly a full century. He grew up in... ...

To the Editor: Traffic stopped for Chad today Waiting while he passed in state Noticing a life’s work cut short Honoring a mother’s grief Honoring the friends who’ll miss him Stop. Take the time to notice now The efforts that Each of us make. Deborah MacInnis Edgartown The post For Chad Grant appeared first on The... ...

A fatal crash Saturday involving a passenger on a moped is renewing calls to ban businesses from renting the vehicles on Martha’s Vineyard. A home-rule petition to ban moped rentals was approved by Oak Bluffs town meeting in 2018, but never made it past a legislative committee and died with the end of the legislative... ...

Donald H. Lyons, 94, of West Tisbury, died at his home on August 24, 2021. He was the husband of Joan L. Merry. A funeral service for Donald will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 5 pm at Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven. In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald’s memory can be […] The post Donald H.... ...

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 - 12:38pm Joseph P. Kenney Jr. of Vineyard Haven died at his home on August 22. He was 68. He was the husband of Karen S. Brelsford Kenney. He was born on Sept. 7, 1952, in Greenwich, Conn. to Joseph P. Kenney Sr. and Gertrude Kenney. He graduated from Greenwich High School and earned an associate’s degree from Chester Institute for Technical Education. He worked for Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Conn. and then as the hardware manager…

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 - 12:25pm Donovan Fitzgerald Bennett of Edgartown died unexpectedly on Saturday, August 14 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was 54. He was the husband of Marva Bennett and father of Ayinde Bennett and Aliyah Bennett. He was born on Sept. 14, 1966 at Revival, Sheffield in Westmoreland parish, Jamaica, the son of Alton Bennett and Elaine Shaw-Banton. He grew up in the parish of Hanover, Jamaica, graduated from Rusea’s High School and…

Everel Adams Greene Black, of Edgartown, died at her home on August 11, 2021, at 101 years of age.  Everel was the daughter of Louis M. and Zelda Greene. She graduated from Tisbury High School and Waltham School of Nursing. In 1941, Everel married John L. Black of Edgartown. While raising a family, she taught... ...