Lawrence J. DeBettencourt Enjoyed Family Gatherings

Lawrence J. DeBettencourt of Oak Bluffs died on April 8 at Windemere Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He was 84.

Mr. DeBettencourt was the widower of Evelyn P. (Sears) DeBettencourt who predeceased him in 1981. Mr. DeBettencourt was the son of Joseph and Pauline (Frates) DeBettencourt.

He was born in Oak Bluffs on Nov. 16, 1920. He was the youngest of 12 siblings all of whom predeceased him. Mr. DeBettencourt was a veteran of World War II and a retiree of the Steamship Authority with 27 years of service.

He was a former shellfish constable for the town of Oak Bluffs. He took great pride in the propagation of shellfish in the town, striving to make better shellfishing for all the residents of Oak Bluffs.

After his retirement, he needed to keep busy so he worked as a night watchman for the Martha's Vineyard Airport. He enjoyed golf, playing cards, and cooking in the years before his failing health. He also enjoyed his family gatherings with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was a member of the Holy Ghost Society (PA Club), Veteran's of Foreign Wars, and was a member and past commander of American Legion Post 257, Vineyard Haven.

He is survived by a son Paul L. DeBettencourt and his wife Deborah of Belchertown, a daughter Phyllis L. Whorton and her husband Stephen of Edgartown, a stepson Peter J. Frost of Anchorage, Ala., five grandchildren, seven stepchildren, six great-grandchildren, and several step-great-grandchildren, a dear sister in law Evelyn (Bryant) DeBettencourt, and his companion for many years, Gail Landers, as well as many nieces and nephews.

His memorial mass will be celebrated in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, on Massasoit avenue in Oak Bluffs, tomorrow, April 16, at 10 a.m. Interment of his cremains will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs with full military honors offered by the Veterans of Martha's Vineyard.

Memorial donations may be made to the Holy Ghost Society, P.O. Box 2203, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, American Legion Post 257, P.O. Box 257, Tisbury, MA 02568, or the American Heart Association, 20 Street, Framingham, MA 01701-4688.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, off Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs.