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Timothy Baker, 45
Was Resident of West Tisbury
Timothy Daniel Baker, 45, of West Tisbury, died Friday, Feb. 13, after a long battle with cancer at the Vineyard Haven home of his dear friends, Greg and Leslie Williamson.
Mr. Baker was born in Hyannis and lived in Falmouth until moving to the Vineyard when he was 13. He was a 1978 graduate of the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. He was employed for many years by Ed and Betty Cottle at the Cottle Lumber Yard in West Tisbury. He loved boating, automobiles and spending time with his extended families.
He is survived by his beloved mother, Catherine A. (Kitty) Baker of Falmouth, and was the son of the late Sumner G. Baker. He is also survived by three sisters, Shelley Baker-Vance of Oak Bluffs, Penny Grossman of Yarmouth and Cindy Doane of Centerville; a brother, Jeffrey Baker of Vineyard Haven, and his uncle, Richard Baker of Falmouth.
A memorial service was held at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Timothy's memory may be made to the Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
Howard W. Young
Was Journalist and Traveler
Howard W. Young, 83, journalist, world traveler, photographer, raconteur and fourth-generation Vineyard seasonal resident, died unexpectedly Feb. 18 at his winter home in Key West, Fla. He was the husband of Helen (Hallie) Eggert Young.
He was born August 16, 1920, in New Britain, Conn., son of Louis Willets Young and Margaret Hart Young. At the turn of the century, his great-grandfather, William H. Hart, had discovered the Vineyard and purchased what was then the Bettencourt Farm in Oak Bluffs, extending from Farm Pond to the bridge at Second Inlet and including today's Sylvia State Beach. There, William Hart began to build the summer community known as Harthaven, and there Howard (Bung) Young spent childhood summers, delighting in swimming and sailing with his yachtsman father and with the numerous cousins who also summered at Harthaven.
His long career in journalism began when, at the age of 10, he was hired by two of his cousins - slightly older - Donald R. (Pete) Hart Jr. and Norman C. Eddy, to be a reporter on the Current Events of the Week publication they were producing on a family typewriter. "Even then Bung was a very, very good, thorough reporter," Pete Hart remembers. "He wrote such a vivid, detailed account of the death of an important New Britain neighbor that our families were up in arms and demanded that we recall all the papers we had printed. To mollify them, we fired Bung - which we should never have done." Sixty years later, however, when the publication began again as Current Events of the World, Bung Young was apologetically rehired as editor-in-chief for life.
That initial boyhood firing, however, did nothing to diminish Bung Young's enthusiasm for newspapers. (He got his nickname when, as he was learning to talk, he enthusiastically introduced himself to grownups as ‘Howdel Bung'). At the Choate School, from which he was graduated in 1938, he was assistant managing editor of the newspaper, business manager of the literary magazine and vice president of the press club. Emboldened by this experience, he applied to the Vineyard Gazette to be a summer reporter, and was in one of the first generations of such reporters. Among his tasks, he covered yachting and interviewed notables. Thirty years later, he recalled in an article in the Gazette how one of his first assignments was to interview "a man who had bought a farm in Chilmark and was raising Black Angus cattle. The man turned out to be James Cagney and I rode the tractor with him … and I climbed the hayloft while he pitched fodder and I scribbled notes about his latest movies and what he thought of Hollywood (not much) and the Vineyard (a lot)."
The Gazette's then editors, Henry and Betty Hough, were pleased enough with their young reporter to take him back the following summer after his first year at Harvard and to urge him to continue in the field of journalism. Following his graduation from Harvard in 1942 and his marriage to Hallie, he went overseas to serve in the Army in World War II. He remained in the U.S. Army Reserves for many years and proudly retired as a lieutenant colonel.
Following the war, he took the Houghs up on their suggestion and joined the staff of the Providence Journal. Next he worked for the newspaper supplement This Week and moved his family to Manhattan. Later, he worked as European representative of the magazine Argosy, living in a villa in Italy with his wife and three children. His last full-time journalistic assignment was with the U.S. Information Agency in Washington, covering the White House and the Pentagon. His love of politics flourished in Washington and continued throughout his life. While in Washington, he enjoyed attending meetings and lunches of the National Press Club, where he was a member.
They built a home on upper Chilmark Pond in 1970, calling it Safari House after an extensive trip to Africa. There, he and Hallie entertained family and friends with enthusiasm. Howard would recount stories of their travels in his gravelly voice and chuckle at their adventures. Free as he was then to dress and look as he liked, he grew an elegant long moustache that became his trademark.
After his retirement in 1980, he and his wife traveled extensively, with Mr. Young always loyally reporting on his travels to his old employer, the Gazette. And, every summer, he and Hallie were certain to be back on the Vineyard.
Fifteen years ago, the Youngs moved their winter residence to Key West, where - world traveler and former yachtsman that he was (he was on the race committee of the Edgartown Yacht Club) - he enjoyed watching the comings and goings of the cruise ships (most of which he had been on). They maintained homes on the Vineyard during this time so they could continue to enjoy their summers there.
Mr. Young is remembered by family and friends for his remarkable love of life, sense of humor, his warmth, loyalty, generosity, optimism and kindness.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Hallie, and his children Geoffrey (and wife Bernadine) of Washington, D.C., Sharon Murphy of the Abacos, Bahamas, and Candace (and husband Dennis) Guittarr of Duxbury; two granddaughters, Lindsay and Courtney Guittarr, and a brother, G. Geoffrey Young of New Britain. He was predeceased by another brother, Louis Willets Young Jr.
A memorial service will be held on the Vineyard in June where his ashes will be scattered over the Atlantic Ocean.
In his memory, donations may be made to the Vineyard Conservation Society or the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.
Kenneth Earle Hammond
Was Veteran, Mechanic
Kenneth Earle Hammond of Oak Bluffs died Feb. 17 at his home. The son of the late Earle Dexter Hammond and the late Mary Rounsville (Wanner) Hammond, he was born in Lakeville on Jan. 10, 1923. He was graduated from Memorial High School in Middleboro in 1941.
From November 1942 to February 1943 he was an electronics helper at the Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard in Hingham. From February 1943 to December 1945 he was an electronic technicians mate second class in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Orleck. On Feb. 19, 1944 he was graduated from the Radio Material School Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.
After leaving the service, he worked for a year at Benny's Auto Store in Middleboro from 1946 to 1947. From 1947 to 1990, he was an auto mechanic.
He moved with his family permanently to Martha's Vineyard on Oct. 1, 1981 and worked as an auto mechanic for five years. Then he drove a delivery truck for the Vineyard Auto Supply from 1992 to 1997. He retired in 1997 when he became legally blind.
His ancestors go back to Thomas Mayhew of Martha's Vineyard. His hobbies were boating and model railroading.
He was married
first to Florence G. (Dolly) Thompson, now deceased. In 1949 he married
Lillian J. Perkins, who survives him. He had five sons and two daughters, Robert K. of Iowa, Thomas V. of California, Kevin E., Stephen P. and Walter A. of Oak Bluffs, Gail L. Mazzoli of West Bridgewater and Karen J. Anacki of Bridgewater. He also had 10 grandchildren.
A private graveside service will be held at the VA National cemetery, Bourne. In lieu of flowers, send donations to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 256, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason in Oak Bluffs.
Jean G. Ondrick, 83
Was Vineyard Haven Resident
Jean G. (Polokowski) Ondrick died Feb. 17. She was a resident of Vineyard Haven and a former longtime resident of Chicopee Falls. She was 83.
Mrs. Ondrick was born on June 9, 1920, in Holyoke the daughter of the late John and Josephine (Nowak) Polokowski and graduated from Holyoke High School. She was married
for 49 years to the late Theodore Ondrick, who predeceased her in 1990.
Mrs. Ondrick and her husband co-founded the Ondrick Construction Company of Chicopee, where she worked for many years as an office manager. Among her numerous activities, she volunteered at the Providence Hospital Guild, was a member of the Western Massachusetts Chapter of Women in Construction, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Women's Association and the Springfield Garden Club. She was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church.
She is survived by her beloved children: daughter, Carolyn A. Downs and her husband, Charles, of Martha's Vineyard and grandson, Andrew Downs; son, Theodore (Tadj) Ondrick and his wife, Pamela (Rogers), of Chicopee; grandchildren, Todd Ondrick and wife, Kirsten, of Chicopee; great-grandchildren, Tadju and Ethan, Adam and his wife, Bethany, of Ludlow, Amanda and her husband, Matt Allen, of San Diego, Calif., and Ashley Ondrick and Alexie Ondrick of Chicopee; also several beloved nieces and nephews. Mrs. Ondrick was predeceased by her dear sister, Katherine (Kitty) Machetto of Westfield and her brother, Stephen Polokowski of Holyoke.
The funeral will be held Feb. 21 at the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home in Chicopee Falls with interment in St. Patrick's cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to her grandchildren and great-grandchild's school: Pioneer Valley Christian School, 965 Plumtree Rd., Springfield, MA 01119.
Brian N. Ponte, 44
Was Cook, Veteran of Army
Brian Normand Ponte of San Antonio, Tex., died Friday, Feb. 20, in Hospice of San Antonio. He was 44.
Brian was born in New Bedford on April 5, 1959, the son of Normand and the late Dolores (Perry) Ponte.
Brian moved to the Island with his parents to Edgartown. One year later was living in Oak Bluffs and going to Oak Bluffs Elementary School and later attending the high school.
He served in the U.S. Army in peacetime and was stationed at Ft. Bragg.
Brian was a cook and always traveled to warmer climates throughout the United States, working for restaurants as he moved.
He is survived by his parents, Normand Ponte and Ruth Ann Ponte, both of Oak Bluffs; four sisters, Yvonne Ponte and Pamela Oliver and her husband, Wade, all of Oak Bluffs, Donna Ponte of New Bedford and Bernadette Ponte of Vineyard Haven; two brothers, Steven Ponte of New Bedford and Anthony Ponte of Loves Park, Ill. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
His uncle, Gilbert M. Ponte, predeceased him.
His funeral mass will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Star of the Sea Church, Oak Bluffs on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2004 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart cemetery, Oak Bluffs. Visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs on Wednesday evening, Feb. 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1115 W. Chestnut street, Brockton, MA 02301 or to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen street, Framingham, MA 01701. Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.
Roberta C. Donnelly
Was Seasonal Island Resident
Roberta C. (Bobbie) Donnelly died Feb. 8 at Scalabrini Villa, Nokingston, R.I., after a lengthy illness. She was 78.
She was born in Providence, R.I., Dec. 24, 1925, the daughter of the late Charles F. and Violet V. (McDonough) Moran. She grew up in the Edgewood section of Cranston, R.I., was graduated from Cranston East High School and attended Edgewood Junior College. She married
Jack A. Donnelly and they settled in Warwick, R.I.., where they raised their family. In 1987, they moved to West Warwick where she was a communicant of St. James Parish. Mrs. Donnelly's husband, predeceased her.
Mrs. Donnelly was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She worked as a sales associate for many years until her retirement in 1987 and was a longtime summer resident of Oak Bluffs. She first came to the Vineyard with her parents as a teenager and spent her first summers in the Camp Grounds. Her family then bought a summer house on Tuckernuck avenue, Oak Bluffs, which served as the center for many family gatherings (summer and off-season) for 50 years. She was a communicant of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs when on-Island. Her favorite times were the many wonderful summers on the Vineyard with her family.
She is survived by her children, Donna Donnelly Bond of N. Kingston, R.I., Jack Donnelly of Maidstone, Vt., Ann Donnelly Baird of Oak Bluffs, Marcy Donnelly Craine of West Warwick, Jim Donnelly of West Warwick and Carol Donnelly Cooke of Johnston, R.I.; 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by a brother, Charles F. Moran of E. Greenwich, R.I., and a sister, Joan Page of Palm City, Fla.
A mass of Christian burial was held on Feb. 12 at St. James and St. Johns Church in West Warwick. Interment was at St. Ann's cemetery in Cranston. Donations in her name may be made to the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease Association, P.O. Box 6642, Providence, RI 02940-6642.
Anna Marie Ward
Was Caring, Creative Person
Anna Marie Ward died peacefully on Jan. 29 at Windemere in Oak Bluffs, where she had been a resident since May of 2001.
She will always be remembered by those who loved her and knew her best as a caring, creative and involved person whose impact upon their lives can never be forgotten. She was born in 1912 in Boston's South End to John Baptiste Howard and Nellie Adie Walker Howard. As a young woman, she helped in the family market. She was a product of the public schools of Boston, and as a teenager, worked as a waitress at Nan's Kitchen.
At the age of 23, in 1935, she married
Ralph (Stody) Ward, and they moved to Central Square in Cambridge. He preceded her in death in 1987. Two sons were born of this union, Ralph Anthony Ward and Rodney Stephen Ward. Their devotion to their mother was an enduring presence until the very end of her life.
In addition to rearing two active boys, Marie found time to be of service in the Silver Threads Club, the Salvation Army, Cambridge Golden Rule Women's Club and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Boston. In the interim, she created a home business, Marie's Draperies, that enabled her to produce a number of related household items. Too, she was employed as an outreach counselor in the EEOC department of the city of Cambridge.
Before his death, Marie and her husband moved to North Cambridge. Later, in 1983, she moved to Wareham on Cape Cod. She was no less involved in community activities there. She attended the Wareham Senior Center and the Elder Day Care Program in Marion.
Marie and her family had been a summer residents of Oak Bluffs since 1947. She was involved with the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging during her time at the Gorham avenue family home.
She is survived by her sons, Ralph of Wareham and Rodney of Oak Bluffs; a brother, Joseph Link Howard of Natick; a daughter in law, Bonita Miranda Ward; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Baptist Howard; her brother Joseph's wife, Agnes; and John's wife, Josephine.
A memorial service was held for Marie at the chapel at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital at Windemere on Feb. 12. The St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Bourne will be the setting for a wake and memorial service on Saturday, Feb. 21. The wake will be held from 9 until 10:30 a.m. The service will be held at 11 a.m.
The family has suggested that those who wish may make donations in her memory to the fund that has been established for a new van for Windemere residents.
Alexander Astromovich
Was Active in Dart League
Alexander (Astro) Astromovich died Feb. 5 of cancer at the home of his sister, Joan, in Port Orange, Fla. He was 54.
Alex came to the Island in the 1980s with a construction crew and decided to make the Vineyard his home. He worked as a house painter for many Island contractors including his good friend Roger Ross.
He was a member of the Holy Ghost Society and enjoyed socializing at the VFW. He loved to play pool and was a member of the MV Dart League where he won many trophies. Alex also loved to fish and was an avid Yankee fan. He enjoyed ribbing his friends when the Yankees beat the Red Sox. He had a large collection of baseball caps and match books that friends would bring back for him from their adventures around the world.
In addition to his sister Joan, Alex is survived by his son, Alexander; his mother, Mary; and sisters, Diane and Cathy.
A memorial service will be held for Alex in the spring.
Margaret M. Downs
Was Nurse, Active Volunteer
Margaret M. (Hickey) Downs, a longtime resident of Oak Bluffs, died at Marian Manor in Taunton on Feb. 7, after a long illness. She was the wife of the late Charles Downs, former superintendent of Island schools.
Born in Taunton in 1907, she was the daughter of Edward T. and Mary E. (Shea) Hickey. She attended St. Mary's School in that city, graduating in 1926. She then attended St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in New Bedford. Following her graduation she accepted a job at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital in 1929 and worked as a registered nurse until her marriage in 1935. After raising her six children through their younger years, she returned to private duty nursing and again to the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. Following her retirement, she volunteered at the long term care unit of the Martha's Vineyard Hospital and was honored on several occasions for the hours she contributed.
She was a member of the Oak Bluffs Homemakers Club, the Oak Bluffs Hospital Auxiliary, the Sacred Heart Guild and the Altar Society of Sacred Heart Church. For her service to the church and her Christian example she was awarded the Marian Medal from the Bishop of Fall River.
Peg Downs was committed to her faith, her family and her community and conveyed that commitment in her modest, friendly way. She easily related to all generations and was much loved by members of each. Her counsel was resolute and deeply rooted, given easily with affection and without pretense. She considered it her responsibility to serve her neighbor, and all who knew her will remember her fondly and with a smile. Bless her heart.
She is survived by her children, Charles E. and his wife, Gaynell, of South Hadley and Oak Bluffs, Jerome F. of North Conway, N.H., John F. and his wife, Jill, of Bridgewater, Michael P. and his wife, Martha, of Alexandria, Va.,, Mary Elizabeth Butler and her husband, Eric, of Mansfield, and Timothy of Falmouth and Oak Bluffs. She also leaves 10 grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
Her funeral mass was celebrated in Sacred Heart Star of the Sea Church, Oak Bluffs at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Interment followed in Sacred Heart cemetery, Oak Bluffs. Visiting hours were from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. The O'Keefe-Wade Funeral Home of Taunton is also assisting the family with the arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to Sacred Heart Church, P.O. Box 1565, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
Alan B. Rice, 77
Was Devoted to Civic Work
A memorial service was held Saturday at Trinity Church of Boston for Alan B. Rice, a summer resident of Edgartown for most of the 1960s and 1970s. Mr. Rice, 77, died Jan. 29 at his home in Brookline.
Mr. Rice, a retired commercial Realtor in Boston, was devoted to several civic and historical organizations and served them creatively and diligently for many years. He was a 30-year member and served as an officer of the Boston Rotary Club, which awarded him the Paul Harris Fellow medal for his helpfulness to his fellow man and service to the Rotary Club and community.
A native of Boston, Mr. Rice was born Feb. 8, 1926. He spent his early childhood in Yucatan, Mexico, before returning to the United States. He attended Wilbraham Academy and Hillyer College (the University of Hartford). After serving in the Eighth Air Force in World War II, Mr. Rice returned to Boston, where he worked in commercial real estate, served on the board of the Hibernia Savings Bank and as director of the Executive Club of the Chamber of Commerce of Boston. He also served on the board of directors of the Greater Boston Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Civic Symphony Orchestra of Boston.
As executive director of the Society of Colonial Wars and president of the First Corps of Cadets, Mr. Rice worked hard to preserve the colonial history of the United States, notably helping to uncover the history of the battle of Louisburg in Nova Scotia and other battles along the eastern seaboard of Canada, a pivotal campaign that led to the removal of French control of North America.
His marriage to Irene Palatine Rice of Southbury, Conn., ended in divorce. He is survived by five children: Alison Rice Edwards of Washington, D.C.; Arthur Pray Rice, of Wilmettte, Ill.; Bettina Palatine Hackett of Cranston, R.I.; Melissa Weld Gervais of Tucson, Ariz.; and Sarah Britton Pratt of Wenham. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, a nephew and his companion, Joan Mackey, of Brookline.
A reception was held after the memorial service at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston. Contributions in memory of Mr. Rice may be made to Hospice Dimensions, 764 Main street, Waltham MA 02451, or the Gastro Intestinal Research Foundation, 70 East Lake Street, Suite 1015, Chicago IL 60601.
Wendolyn Love, 79
Was a Bookkeeper and Artist
Wendolyn Laviscount Love died suddenly on Feb. 2 at the Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. She was 79.
Wendolyn was born in Detroit, Mich., on June 27, 1924, the eldest of four children born to the Rev. Samuel Leroy Laviscount Sr. and Leafy (Giles) Laviscount. She moved to Boston with her family in October 1929. Wendolyn, better known as Wendy, was five years old; her sister, Merle, was three years old; and sister, Vera, was two years old (stair-step girls). Before Mr. Laviscount could start his busy schedule, he had to comb his three girls' hair because he could do so gently while his wife would bring tears to those girls' eyes.
Her father was called to pastor in Roxbury at the St. Mark Congregational Church by the suggestion of brothers Richard and Reinhardt Neibuhr. Under the Rev. Mr. Laviscount's leadership, St. Mark grew to be one of the leading African-American congregations. Wendolyn flourished as a member of a progressive congregation and under the teachings of her father. She was educated in the Boston public schools and was graduated from Roxbuy Memorial High School. After high school, she attended business school.
Wendolyn's first job was as a dental assistant in the office of Dr. McDonald DDS at 416 Boylston street until Dr. McDonald's retirement. She then returned to business and worked as a bookkeeper. In 1962, she formed La Viscount Enterprises, a bookkeeping service. Her business flourished and acquired an impressive roster of clients including the Addelco Corp. of Needham, the Fenton Shoe Co. of Cambridge, the John J. Roache Co. of Newton Centre, Colonial Motors of West Concord, the Arabian Horse Inn of Sudbury and Project Manna of the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Howard A. McLendon, pastor. She retired in 1986 at the age of 62. However, after two weeks of retirement, she returned to bookkeeping, which was her lifeline. (Her mother, Leafy, was a bookkeeper until she married
.) From that time until her death she continued to do bookkeeping. Wendolyn was also an artist who sketched and did oil paintings.
As a young woman, she was a member of the St. Mark Sidewalk Players, who produced the works of the late black playwright Raif Coleman. A close family friend recently said this about Wendolyn, "Wendy's first impression could be that of a spirit as blithe as Lucille Ball." But once you got to know Wendolyn, she was giving, loving, compassionate and possessed an amazing intellect. Her humor and deep faith leaves a deep impression among those of us who knew and loved her. Another friend recently said, "Wendolyn has a heart of gold."
Wendolyn was the mother of six children. Her son, Robert L. Love, predeceased her. She is survived by sons, Edward Charles Williams 3rd, William M. Love Jr. and daughters, the Rev. Wendy Lynne Williams and Marie A. Love, all of Newton; and Christopher (T.J.) Love and his wife, Rose, of Marlboro. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Lisa "Burgess" Joyner, Candace M. DeWolf and Lily Rose Love; and two great-grandchildren as well as many friends, nieces, nephews and cousins from New Jersey, California, Queens, N.Y., Brockton, Martha's Vineyard and Bermuda.
A funeral service was held on Feb. 9 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Newton. All donations in Wendolyn's memory may be made to St. Mark Congregational Church UCC 200 Townsend street, Roxbury, MA 02119.
