William Denis (Boo) Bassett died on Oct. 23 at Bourne Manor Extended Care in Bourne. He was 76.

He was born Dec. 21, 1946, the son of Gordon and Rosalie Bassett of Edgartown. He was the fourth of seven children who grew up on Morse street and Peases Point Way, close to grandparents William and Rosalie Silva.

Boo grew up loving boats and the water, as well as playing sports. Despite being badly burned in a childhood accident, he excelled as an athlete. He overcame his injuries and won awards for the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in both football and track and field. He was awarded athlete of the year in 1965.

After graduating, he lived in Montreal and Toronto in Canada as well as Cambridge before returning to live on the Vineyard. His adventures continued; many remember the day the Black Pearl swept into Edgartown harbor under full sail. When she left port, Boo was part of the crew and he traveled extensively in the Caribbean. He often visited his house in Nova Scotia and spoke frequently of his love of the Cabot Trail.

He was a builder and designer. He built many houses on the Vineyard, most often working with his brother Tod. He led an Island life, fishing, hunting and working on boats, most often with a dog at his side. He played third base on the Question Marks on the Martha’s Vineyard Fast Pitch Softball League, during which time they won four championships. As a longtime member of the Edgartown Trails Committee who, for a time, acted as the chairman, he worked to keep ancient ways open to the public.

Perhaps his favorite job was working with Rick Karney and the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group. He grew oysters and worked on Edgartown Great Pond, as well as tended scallops in the hatchery on Chappaquiddick.

Boo loved and was proud of his four children. He leaves his daughter Zoe Petricone, her husband Mark of Vineyard Haven, and his grandchildren Marco and Ava; his daughter Hannah Alexandra Bassett of California; his son Liam Bassett of Cape Cod; and his son Heron Bassett and his wife Cami of North Carolina.

He also leaves his sister Ann Bassett, brother Tod and his partner Lee Taylor, brother Neale and his wife Ellie, sister Lee Domont and her husband Fred, brother Thomas and his wife Polly, and sister Polly Bassett, all of Martha’s Vineyard, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, P.O. Box 1552, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.