Robert P. McQueen, 79, Summered on the Island

Robert Paige McQueen, 79, died on May 28 in Sarasota, Fla. He was a longtime summer resident of Oak Bluffs.

Born on March 17, 1925 to Leigh and Marion McQueen in Aiken, S.C., he was known by his family and friends as Bobby. The eldest of two children, Bobby grew up in Harlem in New York city, graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy's Seabees during World War II.

Bobby attended City College of the City University of New York, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree. He pursued graduate studies at St. John's University Law School, New York University, City College and Fordham University. He worked for the State of New York his entire professional career, first with the Division of Parole, and later with the Division of Controlled Substance Abuse Services, where he directed a substance abuse treatment facility, before retiring in 1985.

He married Constance Marie Jackson in 1954 and settled in Brooklyn, N.Y. They had two sons, Leigh, who currently resides in Brooklyn, and Kevin, who resides in Takoma Park, Md. After retirement, Bobby and Connie moved to Sarasota in 1986, but continued to spend their summers on Martha's Vineyard. Connie died in 1997.

He was an active member of many organizations, including the Gamma Xi Boule' of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the Association for the Study of African-American Life & History, the Friends of the Sarasota Music Festival and the Boys' Club of Sarasota, where he served as a volunteer tennis instructor.

He is survived by his two sons; a sister and former Vineyard summer resident, Peggy Garner, also of Sarasota; an aunt; his companion, Muriel A. Powell; a daughter in law, Lynne M. Reid; grandchildren Naima and Jared, and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service has been scheduled for June 4 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sarasota. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions in Bobby's memory be sent to the Sheriff's Meadow Foundation, RR1 Box 319X, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.