Richard James McCarron died on Dec. 31 following a long illness; he was 16 days shy of his 80th birthday.

Richard was born in Boston, the second son of Charles A. McCarron and Monica Flaherty. He attended St. Sebastian’s Country Day School, Lawrence Academy, Harvard College (class of 1952) and Boston University Law School. Prior to law school he served stateside in the Air Force during the Korean War.

In 1958 he married Anne Bekker, then of Ann Arbor, Mich. In quick succession, Richard J. Jr. (’59), Gregory B. (’60), Philip (’61), John C. (’62), Robert M. (’63) and Mary E. (’65) were born. As a young Boston attorney, Richard had his hands full.

Escaping urban life, in February 1966, Richard, Anne and their brood moved to the home on Clevelandtown Road, Edgartown, where he would live the remainder of his life. As a city kid, he wholeheartedly adopted his Island home. He was drawn into the community through the lives of his children and his career as a small town attorney. He found his particular enjoyment with golf, primarily with many friends at the Edgartown Golf Club.

Richard persevered through the trials of life without complaint. He had a strong sense of right and wrong, always strove for fairness, was self-effacing and concerned with the dignity of all.

Richard was predeceased by his son, Richard Jr., but in addition to Anne and their five other children, he is remembered by 12 grandchildren, Erica, Kelly, Shaylee, Kenzie, Emmy, Lily, Charlotte, Greg, Audrey, TJ, Johnny and Sophia.

Visiting hours were Monday in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. His graveside service will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 399, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com.