In an occasional series, some great Island couples tell us how they’ve made marriages last. We salute the love, goodwill, stamina, and compromise required of couples who stay together for a long time.Jim and Roberta Morgan of Chilmark were were married on Sept. 29, 1950, at the Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven.
How did you meet? At the Vineyard Haven Bowling Alley.
Who proposed and how? Jim proposed to Roberta, April 1950.
Describe your Vineyard wedding [We were] married in the Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven and had a reception at Albert Allen’s home on Daggett Avenue in Vineyard Haven. Bert’s sisters, Eva, Marjorie, Dorothy, and Mrs. Allen, provided the refreshments. Then we left the Island for a honeymoon at Niagara Falls.
How many children? Did any of them stay here? Barbara and Jim. Both live on the Vineyard.
Do you both work? Roberta has the Harbor Craft shop at Menemsha. Jim is a retired commercial fisherman.
Briefly describe your years together — the good, the bad, and the wonderful … Sixty-four wonderful years together, two wonderful children, two wonderful grandchildren, two great daughters-in-law-to-be. Wonderful life.
Has the Vineyard been the best place to live your lives together? Absolutely, great place to raise kids, a great place for a commercial fisherman in the past.
If you had one piece of advice to a couple about to be married, what would it be? Talk everything out, hold no grudges, work hard together, respect each other.
