Alan G. Cummings, of Vineyard Haven and Washington, N.H., died on Dec. 31 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

The son of Benton Pierce and Marjorie Cummings, Alan was born in Northampton on August 26, 1947. He attended high school in Newton, N.J. and went on to a degree from the University of Connecticut where he also played nose tackle for the football team. From there he earned his law degree from Georgetown University.

He had a very accomplished and diverse career over his lifetime. Out of law school he was hired by Gross, Hyde and Williams located in Putnam, Conn. He made partner at an early age and went on to found two other firms over the course of his legal career.

As one of the original members of Crabtree and Evelyn, he took his legal background and incorporated it into the positions of general counsel and director of real estate for the company. He was responsible for growing the chain globally from one store to over 300 worldwide. He took great pride in the growth and success of the brand before it sold. From there, he went on to a successful career as a real estate and legal consultant for brands such as Godiva Chocolatier.

Alan had a very entrepreneurial spirit which led him to his last career, as founder of Seldon Technologies based out of Windsor, Vt. He used his legal and business background to form this nanotechnology company which focused mainly on water filtration and energy. He was convinced that a lawyer from Connecticut could change the world by producing clean water and renewable energy. He developed many deep friendships during this journey working with both elite military groups and government agencies.

He had a number of interests outside of his working career, most of them revolved around the outdoors, that he inherited this from his father. As a child he grew up living and working at various nature camps that the family was involved with. His love of nature brought him from working on a fire crew in the pacific northwest to canoe trips down the Allagash River in Maine and everywhere in between.

He had a love for building and creating new things that would bring friends and family together. He and his wife Judy built farms in both Woodstock, Conn. and Woodstock, Vt. that were truly works of art. You could often find Alan meticulously rebuilding and restoring stone walls around his property as he found great joy in the process. His final creation was in Washington, N.H. which he designed to bring multiple generations of family together for years to come.

He learned the art of sugaring on this property and took great pleasure teaching friends and family the process, and in his later years making sure the younger generations were doing it correctly. It was also here that he developed his love for writing poetry. He became a skilled writer and would always gift the book he wrote to any guest of the property.

Alan has two children from his first marriage: Caitlin and Adam. There are many things he imparted to his children. The importance of education in the Cummings family was always emphasized and encouraged as evidenced by Adam becoming an attorney and Caitlin becoming a doctor.

Alan was known for his strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit both of which shaped his children to become their own successful business owners in their respective careers. More specifically, he passed along his love of skiing, the love of the outdoors and the family’s Scottish heritage to his daughter. He shared a love of legal, political and sports interests to his son that formed the foundation of a very strong father-son bond and friendship.

Both children carry the best aspects of Alan within themselves and as a result, both are better people for his impact on their lives.

He is survived by his son Adam Cummings and his wife Janet of Oak Bluffs and their children Angus and Macallen; his daughter Caitlin Cummings and her husband David Cornell of Campton, N.H. and her daughter Cassidy.

He is also survived by his twin sister Susie Goodin and her husband Rob of Berkeley, Calif.; brother Bruce Cummings and his wife Myrna of Westfield, N.J.; brother in law Ken Marron of Albuquerque, N.M.; brother in-law George Kaiser of Mahwah, N.J.; the Archambault family; the Lyons family; the Sansoucy family; and countless aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is predeceased by his wife of many years Judy Cummings; sister Carol Marron, and sister Judy Kaiser.

A wake for Alan will be held at Chapman Funerals and Cremations, Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. A celebration of life will be held in the spring in Washington, N.H.