Henry C. Shelley, a World War II veteran and lifelong educator, died on July 1 of natural causes.

He was born in Fall River in 1923, the son of Joseph E. Shelley and Mary E. Shelley. After serving with the Allied Occupation Force in Japan, he completed his studies at Providence College before obtaining a master’s degree in education at Boston University. He also studied at Oxford University in England.

He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and taught in England. Upon returning from England, he began his tenure as an employee of the North Andover public school system. He served as a teacher, principal and acting superintendent of schools.

His love of Martha’s Vineyard began when he accompanied his parents to the Island as a young child. He spent several summers working in Island hotels and restaurants and met his future wife during one of those summers. In 1965, he and his wife bought their home in the Highlands of Oak Bluffs. They have summered at that home since then and after retirement bought a home in Naples, Fla., where they have recently spent winters. Henry’s interests were his family, New England sports and politics. He was an avid reader.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the East Chop Beach Club, and served for many years as president of the Park Place Club of Naples, Fla.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, the former Jane Marie Welch, of Albany, N.Y.; his son Henry C. Shelley Jr. and his wife Elizabeth M. Dean; daughter Mary E. Shelley and her husband Thomas Downs; son Frank W. Shelley and his wife Margaret V. Shelley; son Mark J. Shelley and his wife Debra A. Shelley; eight grandchildren, Jane, Grace, Patrick and Rose of Silver Spring, Md., Mary Kate, Ryan and Matthew of Sudbury, and Connor Jude Shelley of Kingston. He also leaves several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Joseph E. and William J. Shelley.

A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs, on Tuesday, July 6, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs, with military honors provided by the Veterans of Martha’s Vineyard. Visiting hours were yesterday at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.

Contributions may be made in Henry’s name to Good Shepherd Parish, P.O. Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568-1058.

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