Obituaries & Death Notices

After deliberation on a 54-acre, 52-lot development in Edgartown, called Katama Meadows, went long on Thursday night, Martha’s Vineyard Commissioners pushed a final approval or denial until the following week for the second time in a row. And conditions on the proposed single-family housing project, which will be put on the developers to integrate into their plans if it is approved, are already some of the most substantial in Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) history.  “The tenor of the…

Christopher Eugene Bierley, of Nantucket, died Thursday, July 23, 2026. Visitation will be held from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10 at St. Mary’s Church, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Burial at St. Mary’s…

David M. Alton, 78, died on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at his home in Edgartown. He was the husband of Coreen Alton.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date, and a complete obituary will follow in another edition of this paper. Visit chapmanfuneral.com for online guestbook and information. The post David M. Alton appeared first on .

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Nick Tuminaro (“Nick”) on July 22, 2026. Nick exuded joy, a passion for life, and a spark that lit up those around him. His generous heart, uplifting presence, and infectious smile touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him. Born on April 1, 1970, Nick was the beloved eldest son of Dominick and Virginia Tuminaro, and big brother to his three siblings, Dave, Cynthia, and Jonathan. Nick spent nearly 30 years working alongside…

Fay Greene, 91, of Boston and Edgartown, died on July 18, 2026, in Peabody, surrounded by her husband and children. Born at the Martha’s Vineyard Cottage Hospital on August 2, 1934, she was the daughter of James Henry Butler Jr. and Gertrude Fay Butler. The Fay family of Lowell started spending summers on Martha’s Vineyard in 1909. They owned cottages along Beach Road on East Chop, including the New York Yacht Club’s former Martha’s Vineyard Station, which…

Tru Luv Flo, formerly known as Robin Todd Jackson, was born in Urbana, Ill., on Jan. 22, 1956. After recently enjoying another visit with his mother and sister on Martha’s Vineyard (where he spent summers in his youth), Tru passed unexpectedly at his Urbana home on July 11, 2026. He was 70 years young. This gentle soul was a unique, creative, intelligent, and gifted individual who lived life on his terms, seeking a path of peace and happiness. Tru’s life was varied…

Otis P. Jeffers III (“Peter”) passed away on June 18, 2026, at the age of 66, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with mesothelioma. Born in Oak Bluffs to the late Otis P. Jeffers II and Barbara Jeffers, Peter lived life with energy, humor, and a deep appreciation for a good time. He had a gift for making people laugh, bringing people together, and turning ordinary moments into unforgettable memories. Whether he was on the golf course, at a Bruins…

This was a summer highlighted by the World Cup. Bars and eateries across the Island that showcased the games saw crowds of fans who stared at the screens with bated breath, erupting into boisterous cheers or collapsing into silence at the end of their favored team’s run. There was fierce support from fans of the U.S., Brazil, Cabo Verde, England, and Norway on the Vineyard.  In the wake of Spain’s World Cup victory on Sunday, six Democratic Massachusetts senators, including the Cape and…

Aquinnah surely is a magical place. Where else will you find the sound of powerful drumming and beautiful singing, hundreds of people of all ages walking and running around, breathtaking jewelry, the finest artwork, a firetruck, an ambulance, a helicopter, police cars, food vendors, and a booth with antitick socks, all in the same field on the same day at the same time, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. That was the scene during the day last Saturday. That night, a wild storm blew in with pounding…

In “Away to See,” longtime summer residents Paul and Liz Norwood have collaborated on a book of Vineyard moments and places that everyone here will recognize. “Away to See” is a memento of their “favorite corners and experiences,” distilled into illustrations and verses that capture iconic views of Martha’s Vineyard. On the back cover, the Norwoods invite the reader with an image of a sailboat alongside these verses:  An Invitation Each facet of the Vineyard bends and blends land…

Earlier this month, when most of the country was celebrating the Fourth of July, I realized this was the first Independence Day in my whole adult life where I hadn’t acknowledged the seriousness and the beauty of the day. Every year — except this year — I have had the honor of participating in the local televised reading of Frederick Douglass’ famous address, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” If you’ve not heard or read the speech, it is basically an exposé on the hypocrisy…

Tanya Stum, who resided in Oak Bluffs with her family, Michele and Rich Beasley Maloney, during her last years, died on Jan. 27, 2026, holding her sister’s hand, after a valiant battle with resurgent Stage IV breast cancer, which reappeared after 16 years in remission. Tanya was born in Chambersburg, Pa., on April 17, 1967, and lived there her first 18 years. Tanya received her undergraduate degree in voice performance from Carnegie Mellon University and graduate…

Barrett John Snow, Jr., 55, of Allston and formerly of Nantucket, died Monday, July 6, 2026. A funeral and burial were held Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at St. John the Baptist Monastery in Warwick.

• John Harwood asked Julie K. Brown to describe the network of lawyers, financiers, and high profile individuals who were involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking scheme. —Dena Porter
• Podcaster and former CNN White House Correspondent John Harwood and Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown. —Dena Porter
• The discussion of the Jeffrey Epstein story held the audience’s attention. —Dena Porter
• The Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center’s…

• Event organizers Zoe Treitman and Leah Thomson (left to right) give a speech to the crowd. – Courtesy Swim Across America – Martha’s Vineyard
• – Courtesy swim Across America – Martha’s Vineyard.
• – Courtesy swim Across America – Martha’s Vineyard.
• – Courtesy swim Across America – Martha’s Vineyard.
• – Courtesy swim Across America – Martha’s Vineyard.
• –…

Mark Grandfield, a musician who collaborated with numerous talents on the Island, is remembered for his music, love of his family, and his ability to connect with the people he met.  Grandfield died of a sudden heart attack on March 1 in his New York City home at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife Tova Ferro, daughter Ava Grandfield, and sister Dorsey Grandfield and her family.  Mark Grandfield was born in New Britain, Connecticut and grew up in Ridgewood,…

(July 17, 2026) The state senate last week passed a bill to regulate youth social media use in what one senator said is an attempt to return the platforms to the "OG social media" of the early 2000s.

• Jena Beauregard shows off her winning fluke — at home, where no one will guess the location she caught it. —Julian Pepper
• The Flukettes – Anna McLaughlin, Anna’s dad Joseph, Lisa Belcasto, Ursula Kresky, Midge Jacobs, and Capt. Ed Smith. —Anna McLaughlin
• The top three junior fluke anglers were all smiles on stage. From left to right: Julia Komalski in third, David Pothier in second, and Hudson Smith who won first place in both the junior fluke and sea…

In a place where there are so many wonders to celebrate — from Wasque Point to the lighthouse in Aquinnah — we want to take a moment to highlight the extraordinary good fortune we all share of living on an Island that is a welcoming home to so many talented writers.  Every summer on Martha’s Vineyard, we gather in a literary pageant that brings together the most experienced, awardwinning authors with the newest, buoyant writers. The Martha’s Vineyard Times is proud to be the host of…

SOUTH YARMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS — Night fishermen at Smuggler’s Beach Fishing Pier spotted three red flares rising over the water and quickly turned a quiet evening into a successful rescue of three stranded boaters off West Dennis. Shortly after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, anglers on the pier first saw a single red flare offshore near West Dennis Beach. Many assumed it was fireworks. But when a second flare shot up, followed by a third, one woman on the pier grew concerned that someone was in serious…

The 91-year-old woman who crashed her car on the Steamship Authority ferry in Vineyard Haven last week died as a result of the incident, the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office confirmed today.  The DA’s Office Director of Community Programs, Danielle Whitney told The Times that no charges have been filed as a result of the incident. Whitney did not say when or where the woman died. Whitney, and Oak Bluffs Police, referred…

Numerous ongoing cases continued their hearings at the Dukes County Superior Court in Edgartown on Wednesday, June 8, including those involving a manslaughter suspect, alleged cocaine and fentanyl traffickers, a former select board candidate charged with rape, and individuals who allegedly were in possession of large-capacity firearms. Among the cases last week was a superior court motion hearing for Macaleer Schilcher, 41, who has a final trial conference scheduled for Oct. 5. A jury trial was also…

“I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.”  –Hippolye Taine My big news is that I adopted a kitten. Or perhaps she adopted me! It had been a few years since my last cat died, and I thought I was ready to begin another feline journey. What I forgot is how they entertain you endlessly with crazy antics, find dangerous corners of your house you didn’t know existed, and grab hold…

Alfred Francis “Frank” Robinson Jr., 83, of Nantucket, passed away Friday, June 19, 2026 after a heroic five-year battle with ALS.

Joan Rita Wilson-Godeau lived a life defined by intellect, compassion and an unwavering commitment to education, history and family. She passed away Monday, June 8, 2026 on Nantucket at the age of 89.

Douglas Ralph Hiscano, of Stag Lake, Andover, N.J. and a former summer resident of Nantucket, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Harbour Island in the Bahamas Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. He was 66 years old.

Alfred Francis "Frank" Robinson, Jr., 83, of Nantucket, died Friday, June 19, 2026. A memorial service is being planned for a later date.

Philip Marks. Jr., 87, of Nantucket, died Thursday, July 9, 2026. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 24 at St. Mary's Church, followed by a graveside service at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Douglas Ralph Hiscano, 66, of Stag Lake, Andover, N.J. and former summer resident of Nantucket, died Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Memorials services will be private.

Robin Sternbergh Callahan passed away peacefully Monday, June 15, 2026.

Ann M. Lees, 91, of Brookline and Chilmark, died on July 8, 2026, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert S. Lees, who died in June 2017. She was the mother of David, Steven, Martha, and Sarah Lees.  Her services are private, and a complete obituary will appear in another edition of this paper. Visit chapmanfuneral.com for online guestbook and information. The post Ann M. Lees appeared first on .

BOURNE – Several Tall Ships sailed through the Cape Cod Canal this week en route to Boston Harbor for the start of Sail Boston 2026 this weekend, one of the nation’s largest maritime celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary. Many of the vessels traveling from New York to Boston passed through the Cape Cod Canal over […]

A 1.5-mile drive on Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road took 40 minutes. It felt impossible to send a text or get a call through. Parking at State Beach was haphazard and unattainable. Want a quick cup of coffee? Forget it. These inconveniences and disruptions didn’t overshadow the patriotic spirit of the annual parades or obscure the bursts of fireworks in the night skies, but they did make it much more challenging to enjoy them.  The chaos that came from the big crowds, a heat wave, and torrential…

• Nine-year-old Lukas Thompson reels in his first shark. —Bobby Ball
• Luke Thompson, Charlie Huckins, and Bobby Ball with Lukey’s first shark. —Sandy Fisher

If you’ve seen “Jaws” — and really, who hasn’t seen “Jaws” — you get it when I say, “It’s all psychological. You yell ‘Barracuda,’ everybody says, ‘Huh? What?’ You yell ‘Shark,’ we’ve got a panic on our hands on the Fourth of July.” I’m not encouraging anyone to yell “Shark”…

The holiday weekend’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence brought packed parades, booming firework displays, and an unrelenting heat wave.  Days of soaring temperatures, which felt even hotter due to high humidity, were interrupted by torrents of rain and choppy seas that combined to create flooding on Beach Road and Five Corners as traffic jams clogged roads across the Island.  Summer is in full swing on the Island, and a deluge of visitors…

At a construction site in West Tisbury, a cluster of duplexes is almost completed in a project by the nonprofit Island Housing Trust (IHT). Shared front porches are still empty, the grass has yet to be planted, construction dust still hangs in the air, and the four buildings still await finished house siding.  But for the few dozen locals gathered last Thursday for a long-awaited groundbreaking ceremony at Housing Development 401 State Road, the unfinished homes represent one step of many toward…

We made it through the long, humid heat wave, and got some rain to celebrate over the weekend too! I’ve been putting off officially declaring it summertime, but it is time to concede: We are definitely in the throes of it now. We’ve passed the early benchmarks of Memorial Day weekend, the start of summer art and farmer’s markets, and the Taste and the Best of the Vineyard events. We’ve also flown by traditional benchmarks like the summer solstice, the end of…

Graeme L. Flanders, 82, passed away at home on June 23, 2026.  Born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard, Graeme was one of three sons of Leslie and Florence Flanders. Following his education at Tabor Academy, Princeton University, and Georgetown University, and his service in the U.S. Navy, he pursued a career in finance, and worked guiding charitable organizations. Graeme then returned to his Island home, where he could be found behind the wheel of a truck, tractor,…

Glenn Lawrence Field, aged 76, of Nantucket Island and Naples, Fla., passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3 a.m. in the company of his faithful dog, Charlie and his former fiancée, Diana Back at the Avow Hospice House in…

Gary Dennis Derr, 81, of Nantucket, passed away Friday, July 3, 2026. He was born Sept. 29, 1944 in Millville, N.J. and had been a longtime resident of Nantucket for over 50 years.

Early on the morning of Monday, June 29, 2026, Miriam Mandell (née Gibbons) passed away in her condominium in Philadelphia, Pa. from complications of a stroke.

Miriam Mandell, of Philadelphia and Nantucket, died Monday, June 29, 2026. Services and interment will be private.

Regional high school students will officially begin the upcoming school year with a mascot meant to blow the competition out of the water — or into it. A decisive vote at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) committee meeting on Monday night sealed the deal for students to purchase a mako shark mascot costume, although whether or not the shark will be the final and only mascot still needs to be ironed out. Monday’s decision was the culmination of months of student effort and toggling…

Gary Dennis Derr, 81, of Nantucket, died Friday, July 3, 2026. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 10 at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Amid this weekend’s sweltering heat wave, about 60 people congregated inside the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs on Saturday afternoon to listen and participate in the 22nd annual community reading of Frederick Douglass’s speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” Douglass first delivered his famous speech on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, New York to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The speech, which criticizes the incongruency of American democratic principles and the existence…

Elizabeth “Betsy” Hawes Weinstock, a writer known for her style both on and off the page, died Monday, June 29, at her home in Chilmark. An acclaimed author, journalist, editor, classically trained pianist, professional-grade French cook, avid gardener, landscape designer, interior decorator, tennis player, amateur chainsaw enthusiast, and multiple blue-ribbon winner at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair, she was the mother of three sons — Nicky,…

On March 1, 2026, Mark Grandfield died of a sudden heart attack at home in New York City. His loss was utterly unexpected, and is felt profoundly. Mark was born in the middle of the summer in 1954 in New Britain, Conn., and was raised in Ridgewood, N.J. He spent every summer of his life, and often more time each year, on Martha’s Vineyard. He grew up as a member of the Harthaven community in Oak Bluffs, where his grandparents had built a home in 1929. In more recent…

Theresa Robley Mulholland, 65, of Nantucket, died Thursday, June 4, 2026. Her ashes are to be spread in Tucson, Ariz.

No single publication could capture every perspective on freedom, nor should it. These reflections are only the beginning. Throughout the summer, Voices on Freedom will continue inviting Islanders from every corner of our community to answer this question, because the story of freedom is still being written — and every voice helps shape its legacy.  Sharisse Scott-Rawlins Sharisse Scott-Rawlins. Courtesy Sharisse Scott-Rawlins Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of 56 white men signed a Declaration…

The United States of America celebrated the 200th anniversary of the country on July 4, 1976. Richard Nixon had resigned on August 9, 1974. The war in Vietnam had ended on April 30, 1975. In the 12 years before those events, the country saw a growing tension between those in power and those who objected to their actions. It began with student protest against racial injustices, and rapidly expanded to frustration with what students saw as embedded and uncaring professors and administrators. Those…