Paddle-out honors Island surfing legend

Even though the water was almost completely flat, the parking lot at Squibnocket Beach in Chilmark was brimming with local surfers on Saturday, Oct. 3.

The early October sun was strong at 70°F as the surfing community congregated at the up-Island beach known for its surf. But instead of riding the waves, the group was there for a paddle-out to honor a local surfing legend who died in August.

Steve McQuiggan, considered one of Martha’s Vineyard’s “original” surfers, died at 76 years old on August 31 from pancreatic cancer.

Friends and family of McQuiggan’s caught up, shared memories, and laughed at the up-Island beach that McQuiggan had frequented for surfing. The local surfing crew then sent him off the way surfers do: hand-in-hand in a circle on the beach, shouting “Aloha!” in unison, then gathering again in a circle just past the shore break on surfboards, spreading his ashes, and splashing in celebration.

Brad Tucker, a local musician who owns Radio Farm in West Tisbury, carried the ashes into the waves to spread them; he said McQuiggan was like a father to him. Tucker said he’d been handling McQuiggan’s post-life affairs. 

“He was a character, and he will be missed,” Tucker said. “A salty curmudgeon, but he certainly was loved, and he was never really afraid to tell you what he thought.”

Phil Demers and Terence Donahue, Islanders and longtime friends of McQuiggan’s, organized the paddle-out. Demers, who grew up with McQuiggan in East Providence, R.I., had surfed with McQuiggan since the 1960s, when they were in middle school. 

Demers said that McQuiggan moved to the Island before him and invited Demers to surf with him. Demers moved to the Island full-time in the 1980s. 

“This is the surfing community who showed up,” Demers said. “When surfers send the departed out, everybody gathers in a big circle … and we give a mighty ‘aloha.’”

Demers said they often called McQuiggan the “Mayor of Squibnocket” because he was a respected local surfer, but they also called him “Mosquito Man,” because he liked to surf the little waves closer to the beach. 

Demers said McQuiggan was talented with a soundboard, and had often worked sets at the Hot Tin Roof. He was also a skilled carpenter and a DJ when he wasn’t surfing, Demers told The Times. According to his LinkedIn profile, McQuiggan was the owner of Chilmark Sound for decades and provided audio gear and technical services for music events and parties on the Island.

Before anyone went into the water on Saturday, the group formed a circle on the beach and held hands while Demers said a few words. 

“He made a lot of friends and made some enemies too, but that’s why we loved him,” Demers said to the group.” They held hands and in unison shouted two spirited alohas.

Nathan Gray passed out small pieces of wampum to each person, one to go out with McQuiggan and one for people to keep. 

A surfboard with the words painted “Locals Only” surrounded by flowers nodded to McQuiggan’s endearing nature. Donahue said he remembered McQuiggan as an enforcer at the beach. 

“He used to tell everyone [Squibknocket] was ‘locals only,’” Donahue said. 

Demers said that times have changed, but that when they used to surf the Island together, it wasn’t as popular as it is today. He said they learned to share, as surfing gained popularity. “It’s much more mellow now,” he said. 

Jennie Slossberg, who brought flowers to the event, had known McQuiggan since the 1990s, and said he was the friend who was always there to help on the water and otherwise.

“He would say, ‘Just draw it for me, and I’ll build,’” Slossberg said. “He was just that friend who hung around to make sure people were OK.”

Demers watched the crowd, and said it was heartwarming to see so many people rally around McQuiggan. 

“I knew this would happen,” he said. “If I’m fortunate enough, I hope to get the same treatment.”