Walter R. (Terry) Eglinas of Williston, Fla., and formerly of the Vineyard, died peacefully on Friday, Nov. 24. He was 80. 

He was born June 1, 1943 in Oak Bluffs, the son of Richard J. Eglinas and Mary J. White Eglinas. 

Terry grew up in Hartford, Mich.; Dania, Fla. and the Vineyard. As a teen he went to school in Hollywood, Fla. and spent summers on the Vineyard with his grandmother Mary C. White.

He started college and then joined the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam. He returned to complete his bachelors degree in 1970 at Florida Atlantic University.  

After college he moved to the Vineyard permanently. He worked for his uncles in the “family business:” White Brothers Construction. He remained a driving force in the company until he retired in 2015. 

Terry and his wife Carol built a home on the Island. They spent several summers there before heading south for the winter. Traveling was a passion they shared and they made many memorable trips together. 

He loved to tinker with wood and he painted beautiful flowers and landscapes on canvas. 

He is survived by his wife Carol Neff, sister Sheryl Ryland and her husband Keith, daughter Mary Beth Baptiste and her partner Paul, son Jason Neff and his wife Carina, niece Taj O’Sullivan and her family, aunt Katie White Mazza and many cousins and friends. 

He was predeceased by his parents and four uncles: Joseph White, George White, Albie White and Lester White. 

His wishes were to be cremated and for his ashes to be spread at a favorite place on the Island. 

In his memory he would like everyone to smile and remember a good time you shared. 

There will be a graveside Memorial service at the cemetery on Vineyard Avenue n Oak Bluffs on Saturday June 22 at 11 a.m. It will be officiated by Father Chip Seadale of St Andrew's Episcopal Church.