David Chesley Maddox

David Chesley Maddox passed away Wednesday, March 18 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, after fighting a long illness. 

David was born on Dec. 12, 1950, in Winston-Salem, N.C., to Herbert David Maddox and Eloise Kinoma Stephens. Dave’s daily practice was to celebrate life. This came largely from growing up in a lively household, where his parents entertained community members and luminaries. Dave’s love of music was born in his youth when he attended concerts, theater events, and banquets to watch his father Herb perform with big bands as a trombonist. His love of people and good humor derived from his mother Ellie’s gregarious, Southern social affability. Herb’s work brought the family to Redondo Beach, Calif., and then Mountain Lakes, N.J., where Dave attended high school, played football, hockey, and baseball, and performed with garage bands as a drummer and vocalist.

After spending a year at Farmingdale College as the goalie for the hockey team, Dave moved to Martha’s Vineyard in June 1969, and began his trade as a carpenter. He first rented a cottage in Oak Bluffs, and shortly thereafter his family purchased land at 327 Daggett Ave. in Vineyard Haven. Here Dave began his lifelong residence on the Vineyard in a decommissioned postal truck, while he built the house that stands there today.

Dave was a friend to countless Martha’s Vineyard residents. He loved the community of locals on the Island. He was a member of the Cozy’s softball team. He was the “Island Host” at the Hot Tin Roof for decades, and a volunteer for the Possible Dreams annual charity auction. He was a baseball coach at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, and an assistant coach for its football team (and a part of its journey to win the state championship in 1991, 1992, and 1997). He was especially proud of his time and work as a host for local television programs on Plum TV. He was a light caretaker for many years, and always enjoyed golfing with friends at Farm Neck. However, his favorite pastime was his status as an esteemed regular at Offshore Ale Co. 

From approximately 1980 to 1986, Dave was an athlete on the U.S Luge team, and later a manager and a coach for the team. During this period of his life, Dave made countless lifelong friendships with athletes from the U.S. and around the world. Teammates would come to visit and train on the Island with him, wheel training in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Jim Pringle, owner of Cozy’s Ice Cream, sponsored these efforts with the “Luge Burger,” and for many years the Offshore Ale displayed one of David’s sleds. He remained involved in the sport as an official for decades, highlighted by officiating at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

David is survived by his sister, Sandy Maddox; his longtime partner, Cindy Curran; nephew Jimmy Dolan and his partner Penny Allen; nephew Larry Dolan and his partner Mavis Agnew; grand-nephew Gabriel Dolan, and his mother Les Cosgrove. He was predeceased by his mother, Eloise Maddox; and father; Herbert Maddox.

Services for David have been scheduled. There will be visitation on Saturday, April 11, at the Chapman Funeral Home, 56 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, from 11 am to noon, with a service officiated by the Rev. Stephen Harding, and sharing of memories at noon. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven.
Guests are invited to a celebration of life at the Portuguese-American Club, 137 Vineyard Ave. in Oak Bluffs, from 1:30 to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, the Martha’s Vineyard Touchdown Club, or the U.S. Luge Association.