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Nancy S. Murray, 62
Was Writer, Literary Agent
Nancy Steinmetz Murray of Greenwich, Conn., and Edgartown, a literary agent and travel writer, died Sunday, June 1, at the Greenwich Hospital after a long battle with cancer. Her husband and three sons were at her side.
A summer visitor to the Island since 1961, Mrs. Murray was a familiar figure in Edgartown, daily seen riding her vintage bike, her signature straw hat with its navy ribbon billowing behind, while going to and from the Chappaquiddick Beach Club where she was a longtime member.
When not on her beloved Island, she balanced dual careers as a literary agent with the Fifi Oscard Agency in New York city and traveling the world as a journalist, sharing a byline with her husband, Stanley H. Murray. Their work was regularly syndicated by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, The International Herald Tribune, the Washington Times and countless other newspapers and magazines. The Murrays co-authored a book on the history of The Pioneering Swiss Hoteliers.
Born in New York city on Sept. 17, 1941, she was the daughter of Fernande Oscard Steinmetz of Riverside, Conn., and West Tisbury and the late Harold M. Steinmetz. Mrs. Murray was graduated from Greenwich High School in 1959 and went on to attend Bennington College, Le Sorbonne, and was graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1963. During her college years, Mrs. Murray appeared in numerous summer stock productions at both the Westport Country Playhouse and the Southbury Playhouse, as well as serving as an assistant to the late Joe Mielziner, the theatrical set designer.
Upon graduating, Mrs. Murray was the assistant dean of women at Finch College, and later a senior editor at WHERE Magazine.
In Greenwich, Mrs. Murray served on the board of the Stanwich Congregational Church Nursery School, the Brunswick School Parents' Association, where she chaired the Fair and Fashion Show; the Indian Harbor Yacht Club Junior Sailing Committee and the Flynn Gallery of the Greenwich Library.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 40 years, Stanley H. Murray, sons Graham Murray of Stamford, Conn., Shepherd Murray of Cos Cob, Conn., and Ian Murray of Old Greenwich, Conn.; two grandsons, Cooper and Tucker, and a brother, Eric Steinmetz of Puilly, Switzerland.
A private interment was held at the New Westside cemetery in Edgartown on June 3. A service celebrating her life was held on Friday, June 13, at the Riverside Yacht Club in Greenwich.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all do a good deed for someone else in her memory, or if they wish, make a contribution to the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Nashoba Valley Rescue, care of Tony Hurley, 1 Sawmill Way, Georgetown, MA 01833-1716.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Leo Gallagher Funeral Home in Greenwich and Chapman, Cole and Gleason in Oak Bluffs.
Mary Ellen Cooper
Was Resident of East Chop
Mary Ellen (Curme) Cooper, 79, of Oak Bluffs, died peacefully on Monday, June 16, at her home on East Chop. She was born in Charleston, W.Va., to the late George Oliver Curme Jr. and Lillian (Hale) Curme, the third of five children.
Mary Ellen first came to the Island as a four-year-old. She was a summer resident until 1987 when she fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a year-round resident.
Mary Ellen held degrees from Connecticut College and Columbia Teachers College. She was working on her doctorate in nutrition at U.C. Berkeley when she met and married
Charles Proctor Cooper Jr. She was a loving mother, an artist, an avid world traveler, a great thinker, a philanthropist and a wonderful friend to many. She is remembered with love by her children, Charles Proctor Cooper 3rd of Atlanta, Ga., Duncan Hale Cooper of South Pomfret, Vt., Amy Harris Reece of Oak Bluffs and Malcolm Arthur Cooper of Westerly, R.I. She is also the beloved grandmother of seven.
A gathering of friends and family will be held at her home on East Chop from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to one of the following local charities that she supported: Federated Church in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School, Friends of Sengekontacket or the Windemere Van Fund.
Wilfred J. Anair Sr.
Was Decorated War Veteran
Wilfred J. (Red) Anair Sr. of Shore Drive in Wales died Saturday, June 14, at his home.
Born May 4, 1918 in Easthampton, Mr. Anair worked at the Hegan Mill in Wales, the Quabbin Reservoir Project and General Electric in Lawrence before enlisting in the Army. He served his country during World War II and the Korean conflict and was awarded the Bronze Star for acts of heroism.
After his return, he apprenticed at Starkey Artificial Limb Co. in Hartford, Conn. Eventually he bought the business and expanded it to serve Springfield and Pittsfield.
His first retirement took him to Martha's Vineyard, where he worked part-time at Martha's Vineyard National Bank. In 1989 he returned to his cottage on the lake in Wales.
Mr. Anair served as post commander of American Legion Post 241 in Monson, VFW Post 2596 in Wales and VFW Post 9261 in Oak Bluffs. He was a member of the Day Spring Masonic Lodge in Monson, the Amputee Veterans and the DAV.
He served the town of Wales as assessor and selectman and the town of Gay Head as harbor master and assessor. He was the Dukes County veterans agent and a deputy sheriff. He was also a member of the Wales Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Stebbins Anair; his children, Joy and Dick Levasseur of Carmel, Me., Bill and Donna Anair of Wales and Bette and Hank Decoteau of Wales. He also leaves six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, June 17, at 11 a.m. in the Wales Baptist Church, with interment following at Wales #4 cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations in memory of Wilfred J. Anair Sr. be made to the Wales Baptist Church roof-furnace fund, P.O. Box 256, Wales, MA 01081.
David C. Fletcher
Was Designer, Avid Sailor
David C. Fletcher, 81, of San Diego, Calif., and Lagoon Heights, Oak Bluffs, died peacefully in the arms of his wife, Trudi, on May 23. He was the son of the late S. Madeleine and A.G. Fletcher.
Mr. Fletcher was born in Springfield on March 7, 1922. He entered the U.S. Air Force in October of 1942. He attended Fenn College in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1944 and 1945 and was graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston in 1948. Employment included positions at Indian Motorcycle, Hamilton Propeller and The Springfield Armory, where he was awarded a number of patents.
As a member of Old First Church in Springfield, Mr. Fletcher sang in the choir, as he did in the Methodist Church in Cleveland and First Congregational Church in Lemon Grove, Calif. He served as a deacon at the church in Lemon Grove.
Mr. Fletcher played the trombone in his high school band and in the summer band concerts on Martha's Vineyard. His love for music continued throughout his life. He enjoyed opera and classical music.
Mr. Fletcher married
Gertrude Beck on July 7, 1956 in the Wesley Methodist Church in Springfield. After living in Springfield for a year, they traveled to California where Mr. Fletcher accepted a position at Convair. After massive layoffs at Convair, he applied at North Island Naval Station, where he continued to be awarded patents. He retired from North Island Naval Station in 1982.
Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher traveled extensively during their working days and continued to do so during their retirement years. Golfing and sailing were Mr. Fletcher's favorite hobbies. Sailing, however, was just not the same after the early death of his sailing pal, his beloved brother, Warner.
His annual summer visits to the cottage his parents built on the Lagoon, in 1927, meant a great deal to him. There he enjoyed childhood friends and neighbors.
A memorial service was held at Lemon Grove Community Church in Lemon Grove, Calif. Interment was at Fort Rosecrans National cemetery in Point Loma, Calif.
Mr. Fletcher was predeceased by his brother, Warner G. Fletcher, and his sister, Harriet A. Homans. Survivors include his wife, Trudi Fletcher of San Diego, Calif.; three nieces, Linda Marcil of Chicopee, Virginia Crocker of Sunbury, N.C., and Kimberly Heckler of Coventry, Conn. He also leaves a god son, Christopher Olstad of El Cajon, Calif., and a brother in law, Robert Homans of Coventry, Conn.
Donations may be made in memory of David Fletcher to the Parkinson's Disease Association in San Diego, 8555 Aero Drive Suite 205, San Diego, CA 92123 or Lemon Grove Community Church, 2770 Glebe Drive, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.
George B. Barnard
Loved Golf, Sailing and Fishing
George B. Barnard, a longtime summer resident of Chappaquiddick, died at Waverly Heights, Gladwyne, Pa., on June 14, several weeks after suffering a stroke.
He was born in Philadelphia in 1916, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Everett P. Barnard, of Rittenhouse Square. Dr. Barnard was chief of obstetrics at the Lankenau Hospital for many years. George later spent his entire business career of 43 years at The Aitkin-Kynett Company, after graduating from Williams College in 1938. Anxious to learn the advertising business at a time when jobs were scarce, he offered to work at the agency for no pay. The firm hired him and, by 1966, he was chairman and CEO until his retirement in 1981.
Mr. Barnard joined The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1941. He fought in the North African campaign and later taught military tactics at Ft. Riley, Kans., and was graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Ft. Leavenworth, Kans.
During his business career, he served on various boards and community associations including St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, the Wistar Institute, Moore College of Art, the American Red Cross, Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System and the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. On the Vineyard he supported The Trustees of Reservations, the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, the Chappaquiddick Island Association and the Polly Hill Arboretum.
He was a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club, the Edgartown Reading Room, the Edgartown Golf Club and the "Chappy Six" golf club.
George loved his beekeeping, golf, skiing, fly fishing and sailing with his wife, Franny, in their Herreshoff 12.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances Fleming, and three sons: George B. Jr. and his wife Pat of Concord; Henry W. and his wife Susie of Dedham; Samuel F. and his wife Soo of Milton, and seven grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on June 21 at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr.
Interment was private.
Contributions may be made in his memory to a Vineyard conservation organization of one's choice.
DeWitt Livingston
Loved His Summers on Island
With his family by his side, DeWitt Clinton Livingston died peacefully at home on May 16. He was born in Rutherford, N.J., on Jan. 18, 1913 to Alexander Clinton Livingston and the former Nan Brittain.
Moving to Buffalo in 1926, he was graduated from The Nichols School in 1931. He then went on to Princeton University and was graduated in the Class of 1935.
Drafted into the Army in 1942, DeWitt was commissioned second lieutenant following his graduation from the Signal Corps' Officers Candidate School at Fort Monmouth, N.J. Between October of 1942 and July of 1944, he served in the Signal Corps Aircraft Warning Regiment in Panama and the Galapagos Islands. Missions in Florida and Georgia followed until his discharge as a first lieutenant in February, 1946. During the war, in January of 1942, he married
the former Barbara Reinhart of Andover and Chappaquiddick.
DeWitt began his life's career at The Bankers Trust Company in 1946 after a brief time in the shipping business. He retired in 1976 as a vice president.
DeWitt spent much of his life in Summit, N.J., where he was active in Princeton affairs. An avid Princetonian, he enjoyed working on the schools committee of the Princeton Club of Northwestern New Jersey and served as the committee's chairman for several years. While in Summit, DeWitt was an member of Calvary Episcopal Church, where he was a lay reader.
In 1978, DeWitt and Barbara moved to Columbus, Ohio, to be near their daughter, Lain Howarth, and her family, but continued to spend half the year at their home on Chappy.
First coming to East Chop with his parents in 1917, he spent summers there with his family until 1925. Between 1925 and 1941, the family summered in the Eastville area and Vineyard Haven. After DeWitt's marriage to Barbara in 1942, he spent every summer, following the war, on Chappaquiddick.
DeWitt had a life-long passion for the Vineyard. He loved every inch of the Island, instilling that love in his family, friends and anyone else willing to explore the woods, hills, beaches and other places known only to a few. It was of concern to him that the vistas from the roads on the Island were becoming increasingly overgrown by vegetation hindering the experience of those who come to the Vineyard to appreciate its unique beauty and scenic panoramas.
He served as vice president of the Chappaquiddick Island Association and a founding member, president, treasurer and director of the Caleb Beach Association.
He had an extraordinary knowledge of passenger ships and was keenly familiar with those that came through New York Harbor between 1925 and the 1960s. Being particularly fond of the overnight steamers from New York to New England, DeWitt made many voyages on them from 1925 to 1941 enroute to the Vineyard and other New England ports. He loved all the Island steamers, and particularly the 1929 Naushon. As much as he loved the Island passenger ships, however, he was not as enthusiastic about the ferries of today. His membership in the Steamship Historical Society, its publications as well as his own extensive library gave him many hours of enjoyment.
DeWitt was a member of Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, and once represented the summer residents as a member of the vestry under Jack Greely. He was a member of Saint Alban's Episcopal Church in Bexley, Ohio, where he was a lay reader.
Predeceased in death by his parents and three brothers, he is survived by his wife, Barbara Livingston; his daughter and son in law, Lain Livingston Howarth and Robert Howarth, and his two grandchildren, McClain Livingston Howarth and Robert Clinton Howarth, both of Washington, D.C.
A memorial service will be held on August 16 at Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute to St. Andrew's or Sherriff's Meadow Foundation.
Jane M. McGrath
Jane M. McGrath of Oak Bluffs died June 17 at home. She was the mother of Jane Pendergast, Joan Sopp, Bill McGrath, Ginger Carlisle, Peter McGrath and Paul McGrath, and the sister of Robert McKnight. Her funeral mass will be celebrated in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, with interment in Oak Grove cemetery, Oak Bluffs. Visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Joseph Edwin Dull
Was Veteran of World War II
Joseph Edwin Dull of Chilmark died on June 5 at the New England Medical Center following a long struggle with emphysema.
He was born in 1925 in Somerset, Pa., the son of the late Dr. James Earl and Mrs. Edna Dull. In World War II, he served in Belgium, Holland and France with the U.S. Army.
After the war he was graduated from Gettysburg College and went on to graduate school at Pennsylvania University School of Pharmacy. He moved to the Island where he worked as a pharmacist at Leslie's Drug Store until joining Tea Lane Associates as a real estate broker, an association that lasted more than 30 years.
Ed is survived by his friend and companion of 43 years, James Barrett of Chilmark; his brother, Dr. James Albert Dull, and his wife, Mary, of Greensberg, Pa.; four nieces and 11 great-nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his extended family, Edward Barrett and Catherine Deese and Stan and Marie Mercer, and their children and grandchildren.
Services will be private. Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
Margaret Symonds
Was Island Summer Resident
Margaret Preston Symonds, 91, formerly of Wilton, Conn., died on June 7 in Peterborough, N.H. She was the wife of the late George W. D. Symonds and the mother of the late Robert H. Symonds.
She was a graduate of the Brearley School, attended Vassar College and was a tireless fundraiser for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wilton Public Library. She lived in Wilton with her husband for 60 years and summered on Martha's Vineyard for the last 35 years. She was an avid sailor and a member of the East Chop Tennis Club.
Her two sons, George D. Symonds of Sheldon, N.Dak., and David P. Symonds of Key West, Fla., and a daughter, Frances S. Riggs of New Ipswich, N.H., survive her. She leaves four grandchildren: Adrienne W. Symonds and Margaret P. Symonds of Rhode Island and Tristan Riggs and Cooper Riggs of New Hampshire.
Interment will be in Wilton at the Hillside cemetery on Rt. 33 on Saturday, June 14 at 1 p.m.
Norman Friedman
Was Veteran, Island Official
Norman Friedman, longtime resident of Oak Bluffs, died on Wednesday, June 11, at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.
He was born on Oct. 27, 1922 in Fall River, the son of Charles and Sarah (Seligson) Friedman. He soon moved to the Bronx, N.Y., where he went to DeWitt-Clinton High School and later New York University School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance, and obtained his bachelor of science degree. In 1948 he received a bachelor of science degree from the New York University School of journalism.
Between high school and college, he enlisted into the Army during World War II. He was stationed with Company C 101st Signal Battalion and participated in landings on Kwajalein, Saipan, Leyte, Okinawa and the occupation of Korea. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with three bronze stars, the Philippine Islands Liberation Ribbon, Meritorious Service Insignia, four Overseas Service Bars and the 24th Corps Shoulder Patch.
Previously summering on Martha's Vineyard, he permanently moved to Oak Bluffs in 1949. Here he helped his parents operate The Corner Store on Circuit avenue. He would eventually take over as proprietor until he sold the business in 1974.
Norman served as the administrator of the Martha's Vineyard Commission from 1974 to 1992, and he held positions as chairman of the Oak Bluffs finance committee, director for the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging and member of the Joint Transportation Committee of Dukes County.
Norman enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Farm Neck Golf Club and of the former Island Country Club. He was a member of the VFW and honorary member of the PA Club. He was a master Mason with the Joshua Masonic Lodge in New York. He also had a deep appreciation for music and a great love of people.
He is survived by his two sons, Michael Friedman of Boston and his fiancée, Katherine Reardon of Attleboro, and Mark Friedman and his wife, Jenny of Boston. He is also survived by his brother, Bernard Friedman and his wife, Ruthie of Chicago and their children, Linda Berz of Chicago and Jeffrey Friedman of Baltimore; his aunt, Pauline Seligson of Florida, and his former wife, Patricia Bakke of Edgartown and many beloved friends.
His funeral service will be held in the Hebrew Center, Vineyard Haven on Friday, June 13, 2003 at 3:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the Hebrew cemetery, Vineyard Haven with military honors provided by the Martha's Vineyard veterans. Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
