Bartlett M. Humphreys Operated Family Bakery

Bartlett Mayhew Humphreys of North Tisbury, 74, died unexpectedly at his home on March 18. He was born in Oak Bluffs, the son of the late Argie and Bernice Humphreys.

Bartlett was a graduate of the Tisbury High School. He attended Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., where he left to join the Army, serving with the Medical Corps during the Korean War.

After returning to the Vineyard, he became a mail carrier before starting his career as a baker. He joined his family in the Vineyard Foodshop when it was located on Main street in Vineyard Haven and soon became chief doughnut maker. In the 1950s, the bakery moved to North Tisbury next to the family homestead. After his parents retired, Bartlett continued to carry on the family business. After he retired, other family members have kept the family tradition alive. The bakery, now operated by his niece, Donna, and her husband, Michael Diaz, has made Humphreys an Island landmark.

In his youth, Bartlett was a dedicated 4-H member and raised chickens and vegetables, winning awards for his gardening skill. His enthusiasm for gardening extended into retirement years, as did his love of springer spaniels.

He was an avid softball player who organized a league and became known for his pitching ability with the team named Humphreys Bakers. The Nine Wonders was another team on which he played. He was known, too, for his enjoyment of chess, checkers, card games and membership in the Chilmark Cribbage League. He was a member of the Chilmark Grange and the Barnacle Club.

Mr. Humphreys was best known for the deep enjoyment he drew from a good debate; he was a man of strong opinions about politics and town affairs. In his retirement, he could be found at 3 p.m. every day at the bakery coffee table, holding court. His many friends will miss this especially. His family will always be looking for the familiar smiling face in his chair in the bakery. No one can take his place.

He is survived by his sisters, Rosalie Humphreys Powell of West Tisbury, Joyce Reed Humphreys of Maine and Bernice Humphreys Kirby and brother in law Pierce J. Kirby Jr. of West Tisbury, and his half brothers, Robert Humphreys of Alabama and George Humphreys of Florida. Also surviving are his nephews and nieces, Theodore and Susan Powell, James Powell, Michael and Julie Hoyle, Linda Warren, Donna and Michael Diaz and Pierce J. Kirby 3rd, and grandnieces and grandnephews, Shannon Powell, Kevin and Sarah Powell, Michael, Brooke, Audrey and Faith Hoyle, Russell and Quinn Warren, Alexander Warren, Christina Diaz and Michael Diaz.

Funeral services were held at the First Congregational Church in West Tisbury on Saturday, March 22. Interment with full military honors was in the West Tisbury Cemetery.