Archie B. Birtwell Was Editor, Avid Fisherman

Archie B. Birtwell of Edgartown died Saturday, July 16, after a brief illness at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Mr. Birtwell spent his youth in Everett and was graduated from Everett High School in 1948. He went on to graduate from the Boston University School of Journalism in 1952. He moved to Melrose with his family and worked for 30 years as managing editor of the Malden Evening News, Medford Daily Mercury and Melrose Evening News as well as writing freelance for the Boston Herald. He bought a summer home in Edgartown in 1968, where he eventually retired from the newspaper industry in 1986.

Mr. Birtwell was an avid fisherman with a true appreciation for Martha's Vineyard as well as a brilliant storyteller and conversationalist. Upon his relocation to Edgartown, he acted as manager of All-Island Rent-a-Car at the Martha's Vineyard Airport until 1996.

He is survived by his daughter, Debra Birtwell Young, son in law, Robert A. Young Jr. of Edgartown; his son, Bruce Birtwell, and daughter in law, Susan Birtwell, and grandchildren Daniel and Matthew Birtwell, of Weston, Conn.; his son, Keith Birtwell of Dallas, Tex., and his beloved pug, Otis. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Lou Birtwell, in 1996.

Memorial donations in his name may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 10850 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 730, Los Angeles, CA 90024.