David Wayman Was Kind Soul and Skilled Musician

David Wayman made his mark on Martha's Vineyard as an exceptional jazz trombonist. Music was his passion and those who were fortunate to hear him play with the swing band at the Edgartown Yacht Club or dance at one of his wedding gigs, knew it. He was also a thoughtful and talented carpenter, loving husband, caring father, trusted brother, good friend, a generous soul, spiritual explorer and a gentle man.

David died on Sept. 27. He was a longtime resident of West Tisbury and an active member of the local Christian Science Church. Born in Newton to parents William and Ruth Wayman, he was educated in the Newton school system. He then served two years in the Navy aboard the cruiser USS New Jersey. On returning from his tour of duty he was accepted at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. In 1964 he married Cynthia Walsh in Cambridge.

David quickly grew to share Cynthia's love for the Vineyard, where she had spent family summer holidays. Within a few years, they had bought land on Lambert's Cove Road and began building their own summer home. In 1971 they became year-round residents. As David's carpentry skills grew, so did the house, which became a unique haven in the midst of oaks, cozy but filled with light, combining New England thrift and ingenuity with a beauty of line and proportion.

Rex Williams, a longtime friend and cousin of David's said "I spend two to three months a year each year here on the Island and it is never going to be the same without him. Together over the years we enjoyed innumerable simple joys time after time in the real love of brotherhood. We sailed, we built things, kayaked and took walks and played croquet. And you could not have had a kinder, gentler giant of a companion for it,"

Another friend, Jim Athearn, said about David: "Over the last 18 years I've stood next to Dave playing the trombone on some 300 gigs and I'm still in awe at the ease with which he could improvise a solo or play any tune right out of his head. For a man to have such a great musical talent, and to be so humble and simple in his needs demonstrated to me the value of his Christian faith."

David is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cynthia Wayman and his daughter Holly Wayman, brother Bill Wayman of Madison Conn., sister Dorothy Grudzinski of Farmingdale, N.Y. and sister Susan Tripp of Spruce Head, Me.

I have climbed mountains since I saw you last; You will not find me where you left me,
I have scaled pinnacles and seen the vast Horizon of a higher point of view.