Cope B. Walbridge died at home on April 19 surrounded by his family. He would have been 96 on May 24. He was born in Chestnut Hill, Pa., the son of Charles Carter and Margaret Cope Buffum Walbridge.

He attended Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, Pa., the Florida-Adirondack School in St. Petersburg, Fla., and graduated from St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H. He graduated from Yale in 1935 and Yale School of Architecture in 1939. After serving in the Navy in World War II, he moved to New York city to work in the architecture field. He loved living in the city.

In 1947 he married Elizabeth (Libby) Mason and at her urging, they honeymooned on the Vineyard. The experience started the lifelong love of the Vineyard beaches, sun, and people. He loved being able to get an all-over tan, so they bought land in Chilmark which had access to local beaches. They camped on it for about 20 years during summer vacations. They built a house which he designed once they had saved enough money. They enjoyed their neighbors (the Coxes, Twitchells and Swensons) tremendously. They had many friends on the Vineyard and looked forward every year to seeing them during the summer.

His main passion was amateur theatre and he played all the major baritone parts in the Gilbert and Sullivan productions of the Blue Hill Troupe in New York city (while Libby designed costumes and sets). He also acted in the York Players and the Amateur Comedy Club. He and his wife were wonderful hosts to the Blue Hill Troupe and friends who were trying to get their bearings in the city. He was a mentor and good friend to many.

Besides his wife of 62 years, he is survived by his children, Charlie (Sandy) of Bruceton Mills, W.V., Eliza of Blue Bell, Pa., and Peggy of Ithaca, N.Y.