Richard H. Fitzpatrick, husband of Ardis Stewart Fitzpatrick of North William street in Vineyard Haven, died Jan. 19 in the Norwood Hospital after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Dick, as he was known, was born in Boston on March 8, 1930, the son of Don and Masha Nelson Fitzpatrick. He grew up in Haynesville, Me., and was graduated from Fort Kent High School in 1946. He enlisted in the Navy in 1947 and was stationed in the South Pacific during the Korean War. He was discharged from the Navy in San Francisco in 1951.

Richard married Ardis Stewart in 1952. He attended Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and received his degree in 1957. The first place he came looking for work was the Vineyard; they knew they had found the right place. Richard worked for Yates Pharmacy for 17 years before becoming its proprietor in 1970. He retired in 1990, selling the business to Leslie’s Pharmacy to enjoy golf, his passion.

A sports fan, he also enjoyed cribbage and especially loved watching the Red Sox win the World Series. He was a member of the Oak Bluffs Veterans of Foreign Wars and past commander of the American Legion in Vineyard Haven.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years; his two daughters, Kathryn Mercier and her husband, Randy of Edgartown, and Deborah Rolston and her husband, Ken of Vineyard Haven; a brother, David Fitzpatrick and sister, Sandra MacDonald, both of Maine; seven grandchildren, Holly Mercier and her partner, Chad Pouliot, Shelley Mercier and Lindsey Mercier, all of Edgartown, Lucas Mercier and his partner, Rachael Belish and Timothy Mercier, all of Wyoming, James Rolston Jr. and Patrick B. Rolston, both of Vineyard Haven; and three great-grandchildren, Keira Mercier and Ruby Mercier, both of Edgartown, and Mason Mercier of Wyoming.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Janet Fitzpatrick, in 1966 and by his brother Don Fitzpatrick Jr.

Visiting hours are today, Friday, Jan. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs.

A graveside service is set for Saturday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m. in Oak Grove Cemetery, Vineyard Haven.

Donations may be made in his memory to Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs MA 02557 or Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod & Islands, P.O. Box 953, Barnstable MA 02630.