The large crowd of about 60 people standing outside the Oak Bluffs informational booth Monday morning were not there to get directions, but to celebrate the life of a man who doled them out with flair for decades.

Despite the overcast weather, solemnity gave way to wide smiles and bursts of laughter as people shared memories of Charles (Cee Jay) Jones, who died at the age of 100 last fall.

“He was a great pool player who took everyone’s money,” joked longtime friend Kern Grimes. “He knew everybody and everybody knew him.”

The reason for the gathering at the information booth was to unveil a plaque to be placed there dedicated to Mr. Jones. Event organizer and friend since 1971, Kendall Flowers said the large turnout was due to Mr. Jones’s profound impact on the community.

Large crowd reminisced at Oak Bluffs Information Booth about the man who held court there for many years. — Mark Alan Lovewell

“He helped a lot of people,” he said. “That’s why so many people are out here to support him.”

Lance Slaughter recalled Mr. Jones’s dancing prowess and limitless energy in old age, particularly during a New Year’s Eve party the pair attended. “He was still out there dancing after midnight. At 90!”

Gregg Wilson, better known as Mr. G of Hip Hop Hot Sauce fame, said that Mr. Jones treated everyone with kindness whether they were close friends or tourists walking up to the booth holding their maps upside down.

“He was a gentlemen of gentlemen, soft-spoken, never said a bad word about anybody,” he said. “I came here to pay my respects. He’s worth it.”

Before the plaque was unveiled, Mr. Jones’s great-granddaughter Porsche Jones thanked the crowd for coming and acknowledged the positive influence Martha’s Vineyard had on Cee Jay’s life.

“Even in his last moments he smiled when he thought about Martha’s Vineyard,” she said. “I never imagined the support and influence he had on people. So many people loved and honored him.”

Ms. Jones said she fondly remembers her great-grandfather for his quips and sayings, reminding her to always live in the present and be glad for what you have. “My favorite one is ‘every day is a good day, some are just better than others,’” she said.

Mr. Jones also inspired a large portrait by Island artist Harry Seymour to be hung in the Oak Bluffs senior center. In it, Mr. Jones sits at the information booth counter, arms folded with a soft smile as he looks out ready to offer free advice to anyone who asks.

As people huddled to view the portrait, a man held up his phone and said that Mr. Jones left a message for everyone. A hush fell over the group. He waited for a bus to pass and then hit play. It was Mr. Jones dispensing his most signature catchphrase, and one forever engraved on the plaque: “Ta-ta and apple pie!”