Obituaries
Published: June 23, 2011
Judith A. Costa
Judith Ann (Snowden) Costa of Vineyard Haven died on Jan. 18, at Windemere Nursing Home in Oak Bluffs after a long illness. She was 66.
Judith was born in Oak Bluffs on August 16, 1941 the daughter of Herbert F. (Buzzy) and Bertha (Doodie) Snowden. She was a lifelong Island resident and attended the Tisbury school and was graduated from the Tisbury High School.
She worked for the Martha's Vineyard Hospital for 30 years.
Judy was a member of the Holy Ghost Society. She was very involved with her family and especially loved spending time with her granddaughters.
Judy is survived by her daughters, Stacy Gardner and her husband Dwight of Vineyard Haven, Melinda Lockwood and her husband Kenny of Ocala, Fla.; her brother, Michael Snowden; and granddaughters, Alexia and Mya Gardner, all of Vineyard Haven; niece, Natasha Snowden; and nephew, Michael Snowden II. Along with her parents, Judy was predeceased by her son, Timothy Costa; her brother, Spike Snowden; and her sister, Audrey Snowden. She was the former wife of Arthur Costa of Florida.
Her graveside service was held on Jan. 22, in Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven, officiated by the Rev. Roger Spinney.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, PO Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
Ruth E. Bolles
Ruth E. Bolles died in the afternoon of January 3 in Virginia. Ruth and her surviving sister, Olive Bishop Hill, pursued careers in education and nursing, attending Harlem Hospital together. Ruth continued her education attending New York University and Queens College, obtaining masters degrees in public health and administration. She went on professionally to become a chief nursing administrator at Harlem Hospital, then to a teaching career at Washington Irving High School in lower Manhattan. Ruth chose an early retirement from the school system to be a stay-at-home mother to daughter, Robin Ruth.
Ruth returned as a full-time Island resident after Robin graduated high school. Ruth embraced her Island life with verve and joy. Summers spent at the beach, sharing her favorite fishing spots with friends, picking raspberries in her yard, and volunteering with the hospital and community greenhouse created a full Island life. Ruth returned to her home state of Virginia in her later years residing in an assisted living residence until her passing from late stage Alzheimer's at age 86. Ruth was a dedicated health practitioner, teacher, and friend, a beloved sister, a loving and respected mother. A memorial service will be held in Ruth's honor this coming summer; contact Robin R. Bolles Esq. for details.
Richard H. Fitzpatrick
Richard H. Fitzpatrick, husband of Ardis (Stewart) Fitzpatrick of N. William Street in Vineyard Haven died on Jan. 19 in Norwood Hospital after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Dick, as he was known, was born in Boston on March 8, 1930, the son of Don and Masha (Nelson) Fitzpatrick and grew up in Haynesville, Maine, and was graduated from Ft. Kent High School in 1946. He enlisted in the Navy in 1947 and was stationed in the South Pacific on the island of Truk during the Korean War. He was discharged from the Navy in San Francisco in 1951.
Richard married Ardis Stewart in 1952 and soon after attended Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and received his degree in 1957. His first place looking for work on Cape Cod or the Islands brought him to Martha's Vineyard and they knew they found the right place. Richard worked for Yates Pharmacy for 17 years before becoming the proprietor in 1970. Mr. Fitzpatrick retired in 1990 and sold the business to Leslie's Pharmacy to enjoy his passion of golf.
Besides his love of golf, he enjoyed cribbage, and he was a sports fan and especially loved watching the Red Sox win the World Series. Mr. Fitzpatrick was a member of the Oak Bluffs VFW and was past commander of the American Legion in Vineyard Haven.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years; his two daughters, Kathryn Mercier and her husband, Randy, of Edgartown and Deborah Rolston and her husband, Ken, of Vineyard Haven; a brother, David Fitzpatrick, and sister, Sandra MacDonald, both of Maine; seven grandchildren, Holly Mercier and her partner, Chad Pouliot, Shelley Mercier, and Lindsey Mercier all of Edgartown; Lucas Mercier and his partner, Rachael Belish, and Timothy Mercier, all of Wyoming; James Rolston Jr. and Patrick B. Rolston, both of Vineyard Haven; and three great-grandchildren, Keira Mercier and Ruby Mercier, both of Edgartown, and Mason Mercier of Wyoming. He was predeceased by his daughter, Janet Fitzpatrick, in 1966; and by his brother, Don Fitzpatrick Jr.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Jan. 25 from 6 to 8 pm, in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. His graveside service will be on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 11 am, in the Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven officiated by the Rev. David Berube.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or the Alzheimer's Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, P.O. Box 953, Barnstable, MA 02630.
Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
Raymond Schnieders
Raymond (Ray) Schnieders died on Jan. 20 with his son Jim by his side. Ray was 84 years old and was in the best of health until just recently. Residing in Burbank, Calif., Ray was actually still hiking and backpacking well into his 80s.
Ray was a World War II vet who parachuted into France with a division of the 101st in an artillery company. His favorite story was when he landed he was in the middle of an open field with the Germans shooting at him. His company had landed many yards away and behind a protective stone wall. He dove behind a wheelbarrow sized rock and had to spend the whole day waiting for dark and being shot at. That and not much else bothered "Uncle Ray," as he was normally called.
Born in Milwaukee, Wis., he moved to California where he served in many capacities on the Glendale California fire department and retired after 30 years. His retirement was full of ambition and adventure. Ray spent years traveling the world including a month long raft trip on the Amazon river, wilderness adventures in South America, Russia, Australia, Alaska, Africa, and more. He even climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro on his 65th birthday. He was particularly fond of fishing and hiking.
Ray's ties to the Vineyard go back to the summer of 1950 when his mother Elizabeth managed the Old Islander Inn in Edgartown. He was a brother to Jeanne Feeney of Vineyard Haven and visited the Island every year for the last 30 years. He was always found helping out at the Family Campground and just enjoying island life. He loved fishing and clamming and he was always willing to "lend a hand" to anyone who asked.
He is survived by his son, Jim and wife Cindy; grandson, Rob Schnieders, all of La Crescenta, Calif.; his daughter, Terry, of Colorado; his sister, Jeanne Feeney; and his many relatives in the Feeney clan. Instead of flowers and donations, please give your favorite "fisherman" a day off.
Betty L. Boyd
Betty L. Boyd died at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston on Jan. 15. She was born on May 9, 1952. A service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 1 pm, at Davis Funeral Home, 654 Cummins Highway, Mattapan. An Island service is being planned for Saturday, May 10.
A full obituary will appear in a future edition of The Times.
Nathaniel D. Clifford
Nathaniel D. Clifford died unexpectedly in Providence, R.I., on Jan. 20. Nathaniel began his restaurant career on the Island where he was known as "The Governor" and "Cliffy."
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 25, at 10 am, at the Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton. Visiting hours will be held today, from 2 to 8 pm, at the funeral home. Burial will be at Westlawn Cemetery, Littleton. A full obituary will appear in a future edition of The Times.
Thelma L. Baird
Thelma Luce Baird died Jan. 22 at Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, just two weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday on Jan. 8.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, Jan. 25, at 11 am, at Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven. A full obituary will appear in a future edition of The Times.
Margery H. Cory
Margery Hart Cory, 97, died on Jan. 13 at Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. A full obituary will appear in a future edition of The Times.
