Albert (Abbie) S. Dreyer died Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was 88 years old.

He grew up in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn. After serving in the Army Air Corps in World War II, he graduated from Brooklyn College, then attended the University of Minnesota, earning his Ph.D. in child development.

Albert pursued an academic career, teaching and doing research at the Merrill-Palmer Institute in Detroit, Tufts University and the University of Colorado Medical Center.

He also served on the committee to evaluate the effectiveness of the Head Start program.

The remainder of his professional life was spent at the University of Connecticut in the Department of Human Development and Family Relations.

A longtime summer resident, he and his wife Cecily (Chris) moved permanently to the Vineyard upon his retirement in 1990, where he was able to pursue his two passions of fishing and playing jazz piano.

He enjoyed a “second career” playing gigs as a jazz musician at clubs, bars, art openings and private parties throughout the Island, as well as entertaining at free concerts at Windemere and the West Tisbury Public Library.

He is survived by his wife, Cecily (Chris) Dreyer, daughter Elizabeth, son Michael, granddaughter Miriam Finkelman and grandson Alex Mull-Dreyer.

A party to celebrate his life is planned for the summer of 2014.