Joseph Robichau Jr., 101, Was High School Teacher

Joseph Benjamin Robichau Jr., a longtime Island resident, died Monday, March 6, at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. He was married to Betty L. (Doubtfire) Robichau. He was 101 years old.

Joe was born in Beverly on May 23, 1904, the son of Joseph B. and Elizabeth (Thebado) Robichau. He was graduated from the Beverly High School in 1923 and worked at United Shoe Machine Company and for the YMCA, where he started his lifelong love for community. He was still active for the Greater Boston area YMCAs.

He received his bachelor's degree in English from Tufts University in Medford in 1933. Soon after he was called to Martha's Vineyard to open the Edgartown Boys' Club and also to begin his career teaching English at the Edgartown High School. He was also the renowned coach of the basketball team and won the Cape and Islands championship in 1941, the first for the Vineyard.

He met his wife at the high school, and in 1946 they were married. In June this year they would have celebrated their 60th anniversary. Together they opened Camp Wintucket on the Edgartown Great Pond; it closed in the late 1960s.

Joe went on to teach at the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School and to become the vice principal and chairman of the English department. He had an active life in the community of Edgartown being the town moderator, on the board of selectmen and a lifetime deacon of the Federated Church. Joe was also the director of the Massachusetts Teachers' Association for the Island and a member of the Oriental-Martha's Vineyard Masonic Lodge.

Joe is survived by his wife, Betty Robichau, and his son, Joseph B. Robichau 3rd, both of Edgartown; his two grandsons, John Robichau and Joseph B. (J.B.) Robichau 4th, both of Edgartown, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Harvey S. Robichau, and his sister, Irene Ball.

A prayer service for Joe was held Thursday evening during the visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. The Rev. Jerry Fritz officiated, with a Masonic service by the Oriental-Martha's Vineyard Lodge. Interment was private in the New Westside Cemetery in Edgartown.

A memorial service will be scheduled for a later date in the Federated Church in Edgartown.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Federated Church Steeple Fund, the YMCA capital fund or to the Martha's Vineyard Boys' and Girls' Club.

Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.