Friends, family and colleagues gathered on Tuesday morning to remember Arthur R. Railton at a service in the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown. An editor, writer, sailor and historian, Mr. Railton, who lived in Edgartown and Chilmark, died on Thursday, May 19 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital at the age of 95.

His son, Peter, of Ann Arbor, Mich., spoke of his father’s many gifts, especially his love for stories, his dry wit and penchant for bringing integrity to whatever he did. Peter said when his father worked in public relations for Volkswagen, he found the job sometimes at odds with his desire always to be truthful. He credited his father for coming up with the phrase describing the Volkswagen Beetle as “an honest car.”

Peter spoke of his memories of growing up and seeing that people often sought out his father, for many reasons but especially for his friendship and fellowship.

Matthew Stackpole, former executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, who worked with Mr. Railton, the longtime editor of the Dukes County Intelligencer, recalled the time in 2002 when Mr. Railton received the Bartholomew Gosnold Award, commemorating both the explorer’s quadracentennial discovery of the Cape and Islands and special people who have done distinguished work in the Vineyard community. Mr. Stackpole described Mr. Railton as the “reporter who was kidnapped by history.” He also said: “We are all blessed by his work.”

Mr. Stackpole recalled David McCullough, historian and two-time Pulitzer prize winner, who praised Mr. Railton at the Gosnold award ceremony for his years of work as editor of the Dukes County Intelligencer.

Benjamin Railton, Arthur’s grandson and a professor of American studies at Fitchburg State University, said: “He was a scholar, purely out of passion. He did it because he cared. He was a model for us. He was the oldest man I know that was the most accepting, more tolerant, and completely open-minded.”

Son Stephen Railton of Charlottesville, Va., recalled his father’s love for the Vineyard long before he settled here full-time. Mr. Railton took special note of the fact that his father started a whole new career in his 60s, when he became editor of the Intelligencer. He said his father taught him that, “You can be at the beginning of life, and have a whole new life.”

Following the service interment was held at the new Westside Cemetery in Edgartown, Family and friends gathered for a short time. The six pallbearers were mostly grandchildren.

Mark Railton, a son, standing before the small group, shared final thoughts with a tribute to his father as a husband. “We are most proud for the way he cared for my Mom,” he said.