Irving (Brud) Warner, 91, Was World War Veteran

Irving Warner Jr. of West Chop, affectionately known as Brud, died peacefully on Dec. 14 at the age of 91.

The Warner family started coming to the Vineyard in 1924, living at Bayside near the Yacht Club, and then moved to Grove avenue and finally to West Chop in 1926, when his mother rented the Great House. Later Mr. Warner's mother bought the Great House and added to it the adjoining property called Draycott, where eventually Brud and his wife, Betsy, became the owners when Mrs. Warner senior died.

Mr. Warner was born in 1912 in Wilmington, Del. He attended Tower Hill School of Wilmington and was graduated from St. Georges School in Newport, R.I. He then went on to Princeton University, where he was graduated with honors in engineering in 1935. After working for General Electric, he was called to service in the Navy in World War II, where he taught anti-submarine warfare. He was honorably discharged from the Navy with the rank of lieutenant commander. After his wartime service he became general manager of the Warner Company in Philadelphia.

He thoroughly enjoyed flying his plane and also gliders. When he gave that up, he concentrated on sailing his boat, Zephyr, and racing in the Holmes Hole races. He also enjoyed tennis and golf.

Mr. Warner had been active in community affairs. He had been the president of the board of directors of the Lower Bucks County Hospital in Bristol, Pa., the rector's warden for the Church of the Incarnation in Morristown, Pa., and on the board of directors of the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. He was also a devoted member of Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven.

In 1979 he suffered a severe stroke, which left him paralyzed on the left side. He worked hard to overcome the disability but was never able to go back to the sports and activities he loved so much. All those who know him found it amazing that he could maintain his cheerful outlook with stamina and a continued great love of life.

He is survived by his son, Nicholas Warner of Pittstown, N.J.; his daughter, Christina Warner Mulligan, and his son in law, Robert A. Mulligan, and grandson, Mark T. Mulligan, all of Wellesley; three sisters, Anne Warner West, Emalea Warner Trentman and Marian Warner Trotter, and a brother, John Warner. He also leaves a niece and several nephews. His wife, Betsy, died in 1991.

His funeral service will be held in Wilmington, Del., on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.