Wentworth T. Tripp Was Fireman, Town Constable

Wentworth T. Tripp of Oak Bluffs, 68, died peacefully at his home on Feb. 27, surrounded by his family and friends.

Trippy, as he was affectionately known, was born in New Bedford on May 8, 1934 and moved to the Island when he was a teenager. His career started at Darling's Popcorn and moved on to the MV Co-op Dairy, Amaral's Plumbing and finished with the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association; he retired in 1994 after 25 years of dedicated service.

He was a communicant of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Oak Bluffs and had recently been presented with the Marion Medal by Bishop Sean O'Malley in Fall River. He had been a volunteer fireman with Engine 2 and received a letter of commendation from the state for more than 30 years of service as well as a surprise party upon his retirement. He was also a constable for the town of Oak Bluffs, a member of the PA Club and a school bus driver for the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School for more than 30 years, never once missing a day of driving.

Since his retirement, Trippy loved spending his time walking around the bulkhead and harbor, driving around the Island, going out to dinner, reading, watching birds, meeting with his coffee club buddies and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his two sons, James and John, and six grandchildren, Brenna, Ellie, Aaron, Ashley, Joe and Jenni Tripp and the family of Bink and Carol deBettencourt. He was predeceased by his former wife, Jackie (Norton), and his aunt, Elsie Lamond.

A funeral mass will be held at Our lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Oak Bluffs at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 8. After the mass, interment will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery and a potluck luncheon will follow at the Holy Ghost Society on Vineyard avenue, Oak Bluffs. A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Tripp's memory to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557; to the Oak Bluffs Firemen's Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1673, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, or to the Tabernacle Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 1176, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

Arrangements are by the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home in North Attleboro.