Frank B. Carter, 84, Was Coast Guard Commander

Frank Benjamin Carter died Thursday, May 26, at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston after a short illness. He was 84.

He was born on June 4, 1920, in Pasadena, Calif., the son of Henry Benjamin Carter and Elinor Coffeen Carter. He was graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., in 1943, and he served in the Pacific Theatre in World War II.

His 20-year career in the Coast Guard included various assignments, as well as command of the Woodbine, a buoy tender and ice cutter on Lake Michigan, and the Rockaway, a weather ship stationed at Staten Island. After his retirement from the Coast Guard in 1963, Mr. Carter earned a master's degree from Rutgers University and began a second career as a math teacher and coach at the Pingry School, then located in Elizabeth, N.J. After his second retirement in 1986, he and his wife, Annette (Nan) C. Carter, relocated from Westfield, New Jersey to Vineyard Haven.

At graduation from the Coast Guard Academy, Mr. Carter received an award from the American Legion for his outstanding contributions in athletics. In 1987 he was inducted into the Coast Guard Academy Athletic Hall of Fame both for his achievements in football and basketball during his time as a cadet and for his service as a basketball and track coach at the academy between 1958 and 1961.

Mr. Carter served on the board of the Mink Meadows Association. He was a member of the Cape Cod Curling Club and an avid golfer. He was also a long-time member of both the West Chop Club and the First and Third Luncheon Club.

In addition to his wife of 62 years, he is survived by his daughter, Gail Carter Demaine of Northfield; two sons, Frank Benjamin Carter Jr. of Basking Ridge, N.J., and Stephen Trafford Carter of Portsmouth, R.I.; two sisters, Elizabeth Carter Scott of San Pedro, Calif., and Claire Shaver of Covina, Calif.; seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

His memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 31, in Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven, with military honors provided by the Coast Guard Honor Guard.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Martha's Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Massachusetts Chapter, 101 First avenue, Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02154. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home.