David Honey Built Career as Plumber, Firefighter

David Honey died unexpectedly on August 8 at Massachusetts General Hospital after an accident on his beloved motorcycle.

He was born at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital on March 13, 1956, the son of William Honey and Eunice Honey. He had the idyllic Island childhood that we, who grew up off-Island, could only wish for. Those were the days when kids played ragtag off the Eastville drawbridge and swam around the docked ferries in Vineyard Haven diving for coins the tourists threw into the water. Later he and his friends would ride dirt bikes throughout the miles of dirt roads and ancient ways from one end of the Island to the other.

In 1974, he was graduated from the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. He tried college, but missed the Island too much. He had various jobs on the Island. Trip Barnes taught him to drive tractor trailer trucks which led to years of employment with Averill Distributors and Jubili Distributors. He learned to operate heavy equipment and worked several years for Dale McClure. He finally found his career in plumbing with Walter Smith Plumbing and Heating and made friends with many of the customers.

For 15 years, David was a proud member of the Tisbury fire department, engine one. He gained immense satisfaction from being part of the team that protected the people of Tisbury.

In May 1985 he married Laura Weigle and in 1988 their daughter, Megan, was born. She became his pride and joy for the rest of his life. Whether discussing antique farm tractors with his father, the Red Sox with his mother or shop projects with his nephews, family was such an important part of his life.

On August 12, David was interred in the Vineyard Haven Oak Grove cemetery after being escorted by the members of the Red Knights motorcycle group. The Tisbury fire department presented a memorial fireman's flag at the graveside. During a moment of silence, the bell from engine one rang softly in tribute.

A memorial followed at the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury with poignant words by the Rev. Robert Edmunds of St. Andrews Episcopal Church. The outpouring of cherished friends, family and community touched everyone.

In addition to his wife and daughter, David is survived by his parents, William Honey and Eunice Honey; two sisters, Betsy MacPherson of Vineyard Haven and Sarah Murphy of West Tisbury; a brother in law Fred Murphy; his aunt Betty Honey of Vineyard Haven; aunt Ann Pogue of Lancaster, Pa.; nieces Annie and Grace Murphy and nephews Ross and Reid MacPherson. He was predeceased by brother in law Bob MacPherson in 1994. Extended family in North Carolina will also miss David.

Donations in David's name can be sent to the Tisbury Firefighters Association Scholarship Fund, Vineyard Haven, MA.