Herb Custer, a beloved family man and Island educator, died peacefully and surrounded by family on August 17. After 90 years, his enormous heart finally rested and he was ready to go, with fair winds and following seas.

Herbert Frederick Custer Jr. was born April 3, 1933 in Hartford, Conn. into a loving family, the second child of Herbert Frederick Custer Sr. and Claire McFetridge Custer. His paternal grandparents, John and Louise Custer, were from Mecklenburg, Germany. His maternal grandparents, Joseph and Esther McFetridge, were from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

He enjoyed a happy childhood and a close relationship with his parents, siblings and extended family. Especially memorable were fishing trips with his father, where he developed a love of boats and the sea that lasted his entire life.

At age 18, he earned his U.S. Coast Guard license to operate motor vessels for hire. He graduated from Manchester High School in 1951 and attended the University of Connecticut.

During the Korean War, he joined the Coast Guard, serving from 1952 to 1956, when he received an honorable discharge as boatswain’s mate second class. He was quietly but sincerely proud of his service.

While serving he married Catherine Wilusz, with whom he had daughters Shari, Alison and Susan. Following his military service, he resumed college at Central Connecticut State College, graduating in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in science and certification as a secondary school math teacher.

Between 1960 and 1968 he taught at Old Lyme High School and spent summers operating a charter fishing business out of ports in New London and Niantic, fishing the waters of Long Island Sound, Montauk and Block Island. Each year, one charter would spend a night in Menemsha harbor.

In 1968, he earned a master’s degree in education in counseling and guidance from the University of Hartford. That same year, he married Suzan Dill and moved to Martha’s Vineyard to teach math at the Edgartown School. Their daughter Jennifer was born in 1969 and son John was born in 1970. Herb began working at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, teaching math and coordinating the work-study program.

In 1971, he was accepted into a doctoral program at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He and his family moved to Amherst for a year. After he earned his Ed.D. in education administration, the family returned to the Vineyard. Herb then worked as the director of vocational education and assistant principal at the regional high school, securing federal grant funding for the development of five vocational programs.

Throughout his career, he was a strong advocate for vocational education and the important opportunities these programs provided for students. He was proud to observe many former students apply their skills and grow successful businesses in the Island’s trades industries. He particularly enjoyed hiring those individuals to work on his home, boats and vehicles. He believed that all education was valuable, placing particular emphasis on the application of hands-on learning.

From 1991 to 1995, he served as superintendent for the Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools. After a fulfilling, rewarding career spanning more than 30 years, he retired in July 1995. At his retirement party, he acknowledged friends, colleagues and students who helped make his life so wonderful.

In retirement, he pursued many interests. Among these were shellfishing in Lagoon Pond, fishing for fluke and striped bass in Vineyard Sound, sailing out of Vineyard Haven harbor, restoring a handful of powerboats and skiffs and building a guesthouse on his property.

For several years following his retirement, he commercially shellfished for scallops and quahogs and also drove bus for the Vineyard Transit Authority.

Herb looked forward to Vineyard visits from his brother David and sisters Barbara and Melinda. Spending time with them was important to him, as they laughed, reminisced and affirmed how fortunate they were to be part of a loving family.

An annual highlight was hosting a Christmas party for friends and family at his home in Vineyard Haven, where the festive celebration featured seafood Newburg and tipsy pudding.

A cherished activity in retirement was visiting foreign countries. With dear friends and his companion Jane, he took nearly 20 trips to Europe. He loved these tours, often retelling stories of the experiences for years to come.

“Pa” took great pleasure in seeing his grandchildren often and he often commented how fortunate he was to live close to them, watching them grow up and become young men and women. He loved attending their dance recitals, soccer games and graduations, and spending holidays with them. They all loved the time spent with him; he was generous, considerate and supportive.

Herb believed in public service. He spent 19 years on the Tisbury planning board, 10 years on the Tisbury shellfish advisory committee, nine years on the Tisbury board of health and five years as a Land Bank commissioner. For 46 years he served Freemasonry in Massachusetts with the Martha’s Vineyard Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

He loved the companionship of dogs, especially golden retrievers. He savored good Scotch, which was a part of his evening ritual for decades. He liked his coffee black, strong and hot, typically drinking six mugs each day. He enjoyed cooking because, as he would say, he “enjoyed eating.” He looked forward to watching the nightly news, British programs on PBS, Seinfeld and Jeopardy!

Herb leaves daughters Shari Gross and her husband Dan of Destin, Fla., Alison Harris and her husband Stephen of Yarmouth, Me., and Susan Custer of Branford, Conn. He also leaves daughter Jennifer McCabe and her husband Luke of North Falmouth, and his son John Custer and his wife Amy of Vineyard Haven.

He leaves grandchildren Ben Harris and Robin Harris of Yarmouth, Me.; Abigail McCabe, Amelia McCabe, Will McCabe and Noah McCabe of North Falmouth; and Isabelle Custer and Alison Custer of Vineyard Haven.

He also leaves his beloved sweetheart, partner and companion Jane Macuen of Oak Bluffs, with whom he shared many happy adventures, travels and experiences for more than 30 wonderful years. Herb considered her the love of his life.

He was grateful to the staff at Massachusetts General Hospital and Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for their exceptional care. He respected and admired those in the medical profession. Many who treated him commented how gracious, pleasant and thankful he was. Smiling, he would say that they kept him alive for a long time.

His burial service will be private. A public celebration of life will be held when the tide and seas are favorable.

Memorial donations can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard or to the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group.