Frederick W. Hehre 3rd Had Island Law Practice

Frederick W. Hehre 3rd died suddenly on Friday, June 20. A resident of Oak Bluffs, he was the beloved son of Mrs. Frederick W. Hehre Jr. of Vineyard Haven, and the late Dr. Frederick W. Hehre Jr. He was born June 12, 1949 in New York, N.Y., and grew up in North Haven, Conn. He was a graduate of Hopkins Grammar School in 1967 and proceeded on to Columbia College where he received his B.A. in political science in 1971. He receive his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in Boston in 1977.

Between college and his graduation from law school, Mr. Hehre was a policeman in Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs. From 1978 to 1988 he was in the private practice of law in Raleigh, N.C. In 1988 he moved again to the Vineyard following cancer treatment at the Mayo Clinic and began his private law practice on the Vineyard.

A lifelong lover of the Island, he was a third-generation summer resident, spending his summers on the beach at the family cottage in Eastville. At a young age he learned to fish and to sail, both of which remained lifetime hobbies and sources of great enjoyment. He sailed competitively from the age of 15 at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club, where he eventually taught sailing and was a fleet captain. He was also a member of the crew representing the VHYC at the Sears Cup North American Junior Sailing Championship in 1966. Later in life, he participated in numerous 'Round the Island Races, as well as participating in other parts of the Edgartown Regatta.

The Vineyard held a special allure for Fred, in that it allowed him to indulge in many of his favorite indoor and outdoor activities. To fill his love of nature, there was sailing, clamming, fishing, lobstering, gardening and saltwater fly-fishing. In his early years he could often be found on the shores of Wasque fishing for bluefish and striped bass. His interests spilled over to woodworking, fashioning everything from rocking chairs to cribbage boards of various styles. He was also an avid bridge player, playing duplicate bridge and participating in many tournaments.

The Honest Fisherman was his first business venture, crafting custom fishing rods of all sizes. Through the years he was owner or co-manager of several businesses, including the 1720 House, the Wooden, Potter, the Waves Edge Motel, and Fred's Martha's Vineyard, a landscaping business.

Through the years, Mr. Hehre was actively engaged in many facets of the Vineyard community. He was a member of the NAACP and the League of Women Voters. His membership and interest with the American Immigration Lawyer's Association (AILA) took him beyond the Vineyard community, to conferences in San Antonio and Washington, D.C. Over the last few years, Fred had become a supporter and good friend to the Brazilian community of the Vineyard. His distinguished voice, at a dinner grace or in casual conversation, was one of the many reasons people sought him out for counsel and support.

He is survived by his mother, Josephine Hehre of Vineyard Haven; daughters, Pamela Hale of Reading, Rachel E. and Victoria S. Hehre of East Dennis, twins Eleanor J. and Margaretta C. Hehre and son, Frederick 'Ned' W. Hehre 4th of Vineyard Haven. He also leaves his brother, Richard C. Hehre of Milton; his sister, Carol H. Slocum of Vienna, Va., and his close companion, Nancy Gardella of Vineyard Haven.

Visiting hours were held on Thursday, June 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. The graveside service will be private. Donations may be made in his memory to the Martha's Vineyard Cancer Support Group, Box 2214, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.