George Goulart, 73, Was Islander from His Youth

George N. Goulart, 73, of Vineyard Haven died Wednesday, July 23, at his home. He was the husband of Rita (Bettencourt) Goulart.

George was born on March 15, 1930 in Taunton, though he always considered himself an Islander by default. He was brought to the Island when he was two weeks old to live on Curtis Lane in Edgartown with his parents, Louis Nunes Goulart and Maria Pacheco. He was graduated from the Edgartown High School.

He bought his home on Upper Main street, Edgartown in which is now the Edgartown China House Restaurant. He moved to Vineyard Haven and then lived in Longview, West Tisbury for 15 years before returning to Vineyard Haven on Skiff avenue for the past seven years.

George was employed under several different job descriptions which included house painter and caretaker, meter reader for the Cape and Vineyard Light Company, custodian of the Edgartown Elementary School and manager for Mid-Cape Home Center, where he was appliance serviceman and overseer of the lumberyard. Always needing to keep busy, he continued to repair appliances when he retired.

George was an active member and secretary of the Oriental-Martha's Vineyard Masonic Lodge, a 32-degree Shriner and a member of the Eastern Star.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, George N. Goulart Jr. of West Yarmouth and Paul L. Goulart of Elkton, Va.; two daughters, Felicia A. Clark of Natural Bridge Station, Va., and Victoria M. vonHone of Bangor, Me.; seven grandchildren, Joshua Trott, Joel M. Trott, Sabrina R. Trott, Heather L. Goulart, Jessica F. Goulart, Christopher S. Goulart and John M. Goulart; a brother, Louis N. Goulart of Edgartown; two sisters, Jane A. McCagg of Stonington, Conn., and Cecelia M. Viera of Falmouth. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard A. Goulart.

His funeral service with a Masonic Ritual was held on Saturday, July 26. Interment followed in the New Westside Cemetery, Edgartown. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Donations may be made to the Shriner's Burn Institute, 51 Blossom street, Boston, MA 02114 or to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.