Antone V. Lima died peacefully in his favorite chair at his home in Vineyard Haven on Oct. 17, after watching the Red Sox play in an American League championship playoff game.

Tony, as he was known to all, was born in Vineyard Haven to Manuel and Ida Dias Lima on Feb. 16, 1926. He was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Helen Ferro, Mary Barrett and Esther Nichols. He grew up and attended school on the Vineyard, a place he loved. He was an avid golfer and also enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. After graduating from high school he attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, graduating with an associate’s degree. He then proudly served hiscounty in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

In the 1960s he became the superintendent at the Mink Meadows golf course, and took great pride in his work there for over 20 years. In June of 1962 he married Connie Viera. Over the next few decades they worked together to lovingly raise their three children in the home that he built on Lake street. He was no stranger to Tashmoo and Lagoon Ponds as he loved to shellfish. His backyard always boasted a bountiful vegetable garden every summer. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and grapes added to his harvest. The many fruit trees that he planted over the years stand as testament to his green thumb throughout his property.

Tony will be great missed by his sisters, Ida Machado and Ginny Oliveira and her husband Guy of New Bedford, and his brother Manuel of Vineyard Haven, as well as by his many nieces and nephews and their families.

Dad, our hero, will always be in the hearts of all who knew him. He was a strong, honest, caring man and instilled those qualities in his own children, his son Marc, daughter Sonya and her fiancé Brian Maciel, daughter Kelly and her husband Tom Orcione, and hisnew granddaughter Renee. Papa, as he was called, will live on through his grandsons, (Lil) Tony and William. In the short time he knew them hetaught them so much and showered them with an abundance of love. Whether he was Tony, Dad or Papa, he will be missed and remembered by all.

A graveside service was held on Saturday, Oct. 20 in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven. Donations in his memory can be made to Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hockey, P.O. Box 2319, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568; Oak Bluffs School Class of 2008, P.O. Box 1325, Oak Bluffs, MA or to the charity of one’s choice.