Frederick L. Legg, a home-grown native of Martha’s Vineyard, son of John L. Legg and Ida Legg, died suddenly on Oct. 20, 2009 in Oak Bluffs, at the age of 67. He was born on Oct. 4, 1942. He attended the Oak Bluffs elementary schools and was with the first class that graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 1960. Fred was proud of his heritage.

On Nov. 14, 1961, Fred enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served about 17 months in Turkey, mostly with the 727th Tactical Control Squadron, being honorably discharged on Nov. 12, 1965. After his discharge, he returned to civilian life and left for New Orleans to work on the oil rigs off the coast of Louisiana. Sometime during this approximate period, Fred tried marriage twice but rejected it twice in favor of bachelorhood for the rest of his life.

On returning to the Vineyard in the early 1970s, he gained accreditation as a master plumber, which profession he engaged in until his untimely death. One of Fred’s favorite stories was when he was hired by the movie makers filming Jaws in the 1975 movie. He and some of his buddies were hired to sit in a dinghy offshore, babysitting the shark overnight to prevent vandalism. His stories about that job were colorful and unprintable.

Fred became a supporter of several charitable groups, including the M.V. Harley Riders, and the VFW fluke tournament. Fred was also a life member of the Falmouth Amvets Post #70 and a member of the Falmouth Elks Club. He spent his leisure time hunting, boating, fishing, driving his antique car and his Harley Davidson motorcycle, and he spent many hours socializing at the VFW Post 9261.

He is survived by a son, Matthew P. Kennelly of Minnesota; and a brother, John Legg, of England.

Many will miss him. One guess is that if he had the opportunity, he would have bid a fond adieu to Matt, John, Alana Rose, Rena, Lynn, Dickie, Kenny, Ronnie, Phil, Nick, Larry, Mike, Shoes, Frank and others.