Varnum Russell Mead, 86, Served Town of Oak Bluffs

Varnum Russell Mead, retired owner of H. A. Hovey Co. of Boston and Cambridge, died Dec. 18 after suffering a fall near his home on Martha's Vineyard.

Born in Somerville on the Fourth of July, 1920, and raised in Belmont, Mr. Mead was an ardent patriot throughout his life. After early graduation from Dartmouth College, he enlisted in the Army Air Force in September 1942. He received basic training in Boca Raton, Fla., and attended the AAF Technical School at Yale University before going overseas in December 1943. He served with the Headquarters of the 8th Air Force Service Command and the Headquarters of Air Service Command USSTAF from V-E Day until late 1945. He was attached to the 9th Air Force Service Command helping to disarm the German Luftwaffe and doing administrative work on surplus property disposal for the same command. He received decorations from the American and European theatres, the Army of Occupation, including the Victory Medal, and a campaign star for Central Germany. He later served in the US Air Force Reserves, retiring as a full Colonel in 1980.

Following World War II, Mr. Mead went into business with his late father, Francis V. Mead, at H.A. Hovey Co. located next door to Durgin Park in the Quincy Market. When urban redevelopment came to Boston, H.A. Hovey Co. relocated to North Cambridge under the familiar Cains Mayonaise sign visible from the Charles. Mr. Mead sold his business and retired in 1984.

A resident of Lincoln for 40 years, Mr. Mead was a member of the Lincoln Players in the 1960s, Concord Country Club, and became active in the Lincoln Company of Minutemen at the time of the Bicentennial, an interest inspired by his direct descendency from Captain Isaac Davis, the first Minuteman killed at the Battle of the Old North Bridge. In 1975, he marched in the parade honoring Queen Elizabeth II, and in the inaugural parade of President Clinton in 1993 in Washington D.C., and marched annually in the Concord Patriots' Day parade. His final march was in April 2000, three months before his 80th birthday.

Mr. Mead and his wife Janice moved to Oak Bluffs in 1990. A lifelong summer resident of Oak Bluffs, he finally realized his dream to live on Lagoon Pond year-round. He served on several Oak Bluffs town committees, and on the board of the Martha's Vineyard Historic Preservation Trust, and was active with the Lagoon Pond Association. As a sports fan, he was a member of the Boston Braves Knot-hole Gang, enjoyed season tickets to the Boston Bruins, followed Dartmouth football and hockey, supported his children and grandchildren as they took to the ring, the rink, the sea or the field, and attended many Martha's Vineyard Regional High School athletic events. A member of the East Chop Tennis Club and Farm Neck Golf Club, Mr. Mead enjoyed an occasional game of tennis, and a round of golf once or twice each week.

Mr. Mead was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice Harlow Brett Mead; his daughter Dorothy B. Pitt, her husband Christopher, and their children, Louisa, Philip and Martha of Milton; his daughter Susan R. Mead and her friend, Michael Perry of Oak Bluffs; sister in law Helen Thacher of Marion; niece Joan Tiffany of Boston; nephews Geoffrey Patterson of Edgartown, Brett Thacher of Canton, N.Y. and Christopher Patterson of Newton. He was the brother of the late Priscilla E. Mead, formerly of Belmont.

A memorial service was held Wednesday at the Federated Church in Edgartown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Varnum's name to: MV Preservation Trust, PO Box 5277, Edgartown, MA 02539; Milton Academy Annual Fund, 170 Centre street, Milton, MA 02186; or MV Arena, Inc. P.O. Box 2062, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.