Obituary : Peter M. Burt
Peter M. Burt, 66, of Lighthouse Point, Fla., died June 19 from complications following surgery. He was the son of Margaret Abbe Burt and Donald Otis Burt of Vineyard Haven.
Peter was extremely proud of being a U.S. Marine and of his military service from 1961 to 1968. He received his pilot wings in 1965 and served as a combat helicopter pilot in S. Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. After discharge as a highly decorated Marine Captain, he lived in the Bahamas and owned an air charter business there until moving permanently to Broward County, Fla., in 1972. At various times, he operated an Angus cattle ranch in Missouri, an offshore investment group, a yacht brokerage, a digital imaging business and a sports memorabilia shop. He loved all sports, especially baseball and fishing. In recent years he was very active in military veterans' organizations including the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans Center in Lake Worth, Fla. Peter was a faithful son, father, brother, uncle, and friend.
He is survived by his son, Jordan Burt of Parkland, Fla., sister Abbe Burt of Vineyard Haven, nephew Tyler Burt of Austin, Texas, and many cousins. A burial service with full military honors was held on June 23 at the South Florida Veterans Administration National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Fla. Donations in his memory may be sent to Disabled American Veterans Chapter #122, 2337 N.E. 28th St., Lighthouse Point FL 33064.
Richard F. Steele
Richard F. Steele, who spent summers in Oak Bluffs with his family in the 1950s and 60s and for the last 15 years was a fulltime resident of Vineyard Haven, died at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital on June 24 after a brief illness. He was 59.
Born in Boston in 1949, Richie grew up in Roxbury, but he was always happiest on the Vineyard. On the Island he loved biking, swimming, and being with family and friends. Richie was particularly loved for his great sense of humor, kind heart, and generosity of spirit. In later years, cooking was a favorite hobby and he looked forward to the holidays, when he could share some of his delicious new recipes with family.
The son of Percy and Olivia Steele, Richie will be missed by his wife Victoria Steele, his beloved daughter Jessica Steele, sisters Olivia Steele, Hilda Buckley, Mary Woodford, and brother Jim Steele, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned at a later date on the Vineyard
