Richard F. Steele, who spent summers in Oak Bluffs with his family in the 1950s and 1960s, and who for the last 15 years was a fulltime resident of Vineyard Haven, died at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on June 24 after a brief illness. He was 59.

Born in Boston in 1949, Richie grew up in Roxbury, but he was always happiest on the Vineyard. On the Island he loved biking, swimming and being with family and friends. Richie was particularly loved for his great sense of humor, kind heart, and generosity of spirit. In later years, cooking was a favorite hobby and he looked forward to the holidays, when he could share some of his delicious new recipes with family.

The son of Percy and Olivia Steele, he will be missed by his wife Victoria Steele, his daughter Jessica Steele, his sisters Olivia Steele, Hilda Buckley and Mary Woodford, his brother Jim Steele, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned at a later date on the Vineyard.