Obituary : Stanton C. Richards
Stanton C. Richards, 88, of West Tisbury, died on January 20 at his home. He was the husband of Nancy (Church) Richards, married for 61 years. He was the son of George C. Richards of Bronxville, N.Y., and Norine S. Tilton of Chilmark. Mr. Richards was born in Bronxville but resided on the Vineyard since 1940 except for the time during his service during World War II.
Mr. Richards was a combat veteran having served in the U.S. Army's 88th (All Draftee) Division in Italy where he fought in the battles of Monte Cassino, Rome and Bologna, and was awarded three combat stars. In December 1944, he was sent to Vienna, Austria as part of the U.S. Occupation force. After the war he obtained his pilot's license through the G.I. Bill and for a short time flew DC-3's between Martha's Vineyard and Logan Airport in Boston.
He was a Boy Scout and attended the world jamboree in Holland in 1937. He was also a scoutmaster in Vineyard Haven after the war.
Mr. Richards worked as the manager of the Edgartown Yacht Club, tennis club and restaurant for 27 years. In semi-retirement he worked as a bookkeeper and consultant at several Vineyard businesses, including Hinckley's Lumber. He spent 33 years as a town assessor for the town of West Tisbury, only recently retiring in 2007. Mr. Richards was the chairman of the Selective Service Office for Dukes County from 1956 until 1976.
Mr. Richards, before retiring, enjoyed sailing and boating and after his retirement spent many happy hours beside his pool.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, Stanton "Grant" Richards and daughter-in-law Suzanne, a daughter Ann Tilton Richards, and two grandchildren, Heather and Amy Richards.
A graveside service to be announced will be held in the spring at Abel's Hill Cemetery in Chilmark.
Donations may be made in his memory to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
