Jonah Elias Talbot of Vineyard Haven, a loving father, gifted builder, and craftsman with an uncanny knack for knowing how to build, repair, or create most anything, died unexpectedly at home on Sunday, Nov. 29. He was 32 years old. The cause of death was a massive heart attack.
Jonah was born on Jan. 14, 1983, on Martha’s Vineyard. Raised on the Island, the Vineyard was his home, and he had many friends and a family who loved him. He was a very generous and brilliant young man who never refused to help or support his family and friends whenever they were in need.
In his spare time Jonah enjoyed working on his trucks and motorcycle, often assisting his friends with their mechanical issues. He was an avid fisherman and woodworker who created remarkably intricate cutting boards, cutlery, boxes, stools, and tables. He won numerous top ribbons for his inlaid boards in the annual Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair. Jonah built and repaired many homes on Martha’s Vineyard. He was also a skilled electrician, mechanic, welder, and cook. He enjoyed cooking healthy gourmet meals for both his family and friends. He enjoyed skin diving, and scuba diving year-round for fish, clams, quahogs, and scallops, giving most of his catch to his friends and co-workers.
In August 2007, a Jet Ski struck a small boat in Vineyard Haven Harbor in the vicinity of the Eastville Beach jetty, sending a woman and her husband and their two young children into the water. The woman was knocked unconscious.
Jonah and a friend, Harry Grow, had just arrived at Eastville Beach to swim and snorkel. As soon as Jonah saw what happened, he dove in the water and swam to the family’s assistance. He got one child out of the water and then swam back out to the capsized boat, where he helped the husband keep his wife’s head above water, according to story published in The MVTimes.
Jonah “helped me hold Anne, helped me steady her and bring her closer to shore. But I was scared to death to pick her out of the water because I knew her back and her neck were bad. I thought she had a broken neck. At one point she started shaking like crazy and stuff, and I thought she was going into shock. He stayed right there in the water holding her with me until the guys came out with the backboards,” the husband told The Times.
Jonah was modest in describing his role. He said he was not the only one who helped, and that he responded as he hoped others would were he in trouble.
Jonah’s proudest achievement in his life was his two beautiful sons. He was a loving, devoted father who excelled at everything he did, and to his sons, Jonah was their superhero. His sons were his world, and they adored him. He leaves behind his wife, Juliet Talbot, his two sons Kelley, 3 years old, and Tristan, 2 years old, and his mother Linda Talbot.
Jonah Talbot was an extraordinary friend, husband, and father. He will be forever in our hearts, and sorely missed.
A fundraiser for the children will be held at the Holy Ghost Society (P.A. Club) on Vineyard Avenue, Oak Bluffs, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 30. Delicious lasagna (meat and vegetarian), salad, rolls, and homemade pie will be served. The suggested contribution is $15 per person. All are welcome — friends, fellow workers, employers, and family — as well as anyone interested in helping his children. If you cannot come, but would like to help the children, tax-deductible contributions may be mailed to You’ve Got a Friend Inc., c/o the Benoit-Talbot Family, P.O. Box 1317, West Tisbury, MA 02575. Checks should be made out to “YGAF.”
Please be sure to write “in honor of the Benoit-Talbot family” in the check memo section. Donations are managed by You’ve Got a Friend, Inc. {YGAF), a local 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization established 15 years ago. The mission of YGAF includes aiding Islanders suffering from a catastrophic illness or event, and it has administered over a million dollars in donations for Islanders. Its board members are unpaid volunteers, and the Law Office of George B. Brush administers YGAF at no cost while providing pro bono legal counsel. As a result, YGAF is able to apply donations to YGAF beneficiaries, or chosen causes, without deduction for administrative or professional costs.