James (Jim) Howard Lobdell, the first of three sons of Margaret Kisk and Howard Lobdell, arrived with the incoming tide on August 20, 1943. He left us, much mourned, with the outgoing tide on July 22. He was 79.

Sitting with him as he set off on his last passage was his cherished wife Ginny (Virginia Addicott), adoring family, lifelong friends, a student or two and his dog Hadley. The Lobdells have always had a lab or two – well-trained sea dogs — and Hadley followed Amber, Chamois and others.

Jim had been a member of the faculty for more than 30 years at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School until he retired to spend more time on maritime projects.

Over the days following his death, thoughts, comments and prayers have been expressed by many former students who remembered Mr. Lobdell’s classes in architecture, drafting and engineering at the high school as being some of the most important, inspiring and consequential lessons they ever had. His classes were a mix of basic principles of shop class filled with creative and intellectual curiosity plus common sense and humor.

Words such as resolute, perspicacious, loyal, absurdly dependable, resilient, adamant, obdurate and “an old softie” — sometimes uttered all in one breath — along with mentor and father figure, devoted friend and brother, have all been expressed by colleagues, friends and students to describe Jim.

In addition to the almost-endless examples of a life well lived, Jim leaves an enduring respect and devoted commitment to the public good at many different levels. He exemplified the highest integrity in ethics and moral qualities; those in national politics could learn a lot from his life.

He served the town of Tisbury for many years as chair of the harbor management committee, a member of the select board, Lake Tashmoo management, commissioner for the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and Dukes County Commission — none an easy task. Flags in Tisbury have been at half-staff this week as a mark of the high esteem in which Jim was held for his public service.

Jim and Ginny first sailed in the 1960s in Long Island Sound, camping out with baby son Darren and a dog in a basket under a boom tent on a Lightning. Later joined by daughter Kristin, they sailed on the Sparkman and Stephens sloop Xanadau, and all over on the Mary Eleanor, a Bahamian sloop still moored in Vineyard Haven.

In 1977 they found the Alden Schooner Malabar II in Maine. They bought her and sailed her home to the Vineyard, starting a 45-year love affair. Over the years they sailed her many miles from Maine to the Chesapeake, and with their children, to Bermuda. Over the years they also rebuilt and refit her with the help of several friends.

There are those of us who believe that boats have souls; Malabar is a boat with a big soul and spirit. Today, rebuilt and beautifully maintained, she is in the capable hands of Myles Thurlow and his family of West Tisbury. At 101 years old, she is in exceptional condition and has been joined by two more recent sisters that are home-ported in Vineyard Haven.

In addition to his wife Ginny, Jim is survived by his brothers, Kenneth and his wife Karen of West Tisbury and Stephen and his wife Deborah of Connecticut. He is also survived by his and Ginny’s daughter Kristin Elizabeth and her children Michael Thomas McGuire, James Kendal Thomas McGuire, Dale Thomas McGuire, Felicia Elizabeth McGuire and Katherine Ayiana McGuire, their spouses and their children Ayiana, Abigail, Bryson and Maison.

He was predeceased by his son Darren on Dec. 26, 2021.

The Lobdell family suggests making a gift in Jim’s memory to Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748. Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. And don’t forget the flowers on the waters that Jim so loved.