Obituary : David S. Boyd
David Sumner Boyd of Tennessee, formally of Edgartown, succumbed to a two-year battle with lymphoma cancer on August 2, at home, surrounded by his loving family.
David was born on the Island on May 12, 1949 to Olga (Jordan) and Clifford Boyd (both now deceased). He attended the Edgartown Elementary School and the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. While living on the Island, David made a living by commercial fishing (on the "Dana Jay" and the "Captain Fritz") and scalloping. The ocean was always a big part of his life, as were his close Edgartown buddies who would gather at the Edgartown coffee shop each morning. David had a special knack for telling the most intriguing stories.
When David wasn't fishing, he was honing his second love, woodworking and building. David was a strategic thinker, a visionary who was innovative and creative. He built himself two houses on the Island, from the ground floor up, one in Sea Glen and one in Ocean Heights. He became a very talented woodworker, builder, and craftsman.
Eventually, David moved to Florida to venture into swordfishing. He married Bonnie Vanderweis and they had three children, Mathew and Austin of Florida and Kayleigh of Colorado. This marriage ended in divorce.
David then met and married Patricia Childress and they moved to Tennessee. David adopted her two young daughters, Sarah and Scarlet. Trish had a real estate business and David went forward with his building, creating meticulous work and contributing generously with his knowledge, his expertise, and his skills.
David and Trish eventually built themselves a horse farm, raised show horses and traveled around to horse shows. David spent many hours watching old westerns, war stories and the history channel. He was known as "Pa" to his two young grandsons, Alden and Avery. Alden accompanied David to his chemo and radiation treatments and doctors' appointments and helped care for his "Pa" during his last couple of months when he was restricted to bed.
David, Trish, and family have lived in Tennessee for the past 17 years. They were hoping to visit the Island this summer so that David could re-unite with his Island friends and relatives and to walk the land where he was born and raised one last time. Unfortunately, his illness didn't allow this to happen. David's brother, Terry Boyd and his nephew, Aaron Boyd were able to travel to Tennessee to spend some quality time with him. Many of his close Island friends contacted him in Tennessee and he thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing with them.
David was a man with a big heart. He had a great sense of humor with a rare friendliness and charm of personality.
David is survived by his wife, Trish; children Sarah (Boyd) Medley and her husband, William, Scarlet Boyd and her loving partner, Kelly Stewart, Kayleigh, Mathew, and Austin Boyd. He is also survived by two grandsons, Alden and Avery; and one step-grandson, Trevor; and by two brothers, Jimmy Boyd, and Terry and wife Joyce Boyd of Vineyard Haven; nieces and nephews, Christian Boyd of Mississippi, Carla Coburn of Edgartown, Aaron Boyd of Edgartown, Curtis James Boyd, Gabe Boyd and Erika (Davies) Boyd. He is also survived by his aunt and uncle Margaret (Sissy) and Curtis Boyd of Edgartown and cousins, Richard, Patricia and Michael Boyd and Michael and Lenny Donaroma.
David was laid to rest at the Brick House Cemetery at Roland Station, Tennessee.
