Donald J. King, the gregarious, salty former longtime Vineyard Haven harbor master and shellfish constable, died on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at his home in Tisbury after a period of failing health.

He was born in Vineyard Haven on March 5, 1931, the son of Manuel and Mary (DeCosta) King.

He began working for the local Steamship Authority in 1947. His career was briefly interrupted by a two-year tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He returned to the Steamship Authority and retired in 1971 as purser.

Donald loved the Island. He felt the best way to demonstrate this was through public service. Following in the footsteps of his brothers, William "Billy" King, former chief of police of Vineyard Haven and Manuel Canha, former head of the highway department, he realized his dream when he was able to fill the the vacant shellfish constable position in Vineyard Haven. That same year he became assistant Vineyard Haven harbor master under Tom Hale. When Tom retired in the late 1970s, Donald became both full-time harbor master and shellfish constable.

Donald possessed an affinity for the sea and was able to chart his course whether through calm or stormy seas. He was known by the transient boating public as the ambassador of good will to those who used his harbor.

In an interview with the Vineyard Gazette in 1987 he remarked that unlike other harbor masters in the region, he never felt the need to carry a gun, because his best line of defense was kindness.

"You hit them hard with kindness and it knocks them off guard. They don't know how to handle it," he said.

He had a fondness for calling sailors who landed at his port Cappy, short for captain.

"He has a pleasant word for everyone. It doesn't matter what size boat you have, the short, jovial harbor master with the bulging waistline is everyone's pal," wrote a columnist in a Connecticut newspaper.

Mr. King is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruth (Browning) King and his four children, Donna Golden-Spencer and her husband, David, of Rockland; John B. King and his wife, Karen of Jacksonville, Fla.; Theresa E. King-Schmidt and her husband, James, of Vineyard Haven; James B. King of Vineyard Haven and four grandchildren. He was the brother of Hazel King of Vineyard Haven, Theresa Holstrom of Rhode Island and Madeline Coburn of Berryville, Ariz., and had numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Furtado, Hilda Duarte, Katherine Barry and Patricia Mills-Fulsom; two half-brothers and his adopted brother, David Munn.

A graveside service was held on Thursday, Nov. 18, in Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven, officiated by the Rev. Michael Nagle. Military honors were provided by the veterans of Martha's Vineyard. Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.