Horace Alfred Brooker, a longtime Island banker, died on Oct. 13.

He was born in Croydon, England on July 9, 1921 to Ida and Alfred Brooker. In November of 1926 they boarded a steamer for America and settled in New Britain, Conn. Horace was a Boy Scout, table tennis champion and drummer in the high school marching band. In 1940 he graduated from New Britain High School and then attended the Bentley School of Accounting and Northeastern University. In 1943 he joined the U.S. Army and served for three years in France and Germany, working under General Patton. Horace was very proud of his part in defeating the Nazis.

On August 24, 1946, he married his sweetheart, Mabel Carlson. They lived in Boston where he worked for the Firemen’s Fund Insurance company. The young couple moved to the Vineyard and in 1949 Horace began working as a teller at the Martha’s Vineyard National Bank. Eight years later he was promoted to vice president. Many people can remember Horace helping them to get their first loans to start businesses or buy homes.

Horace was deeply involved in the community aspects of Island life. He was a Boy Scout troop leader, was active in Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, was an accountant for Mink Meadows Golf Club and volunteered at the Vineyard Haven Public Library. In addition to being a dedicated family man and banker, Horace loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, tennis player and cyclist. In later years he would often be seen “walking the Chop.” Horace was an excellent dancer and was very popular at weddings, dancing with every woman there when Mabel got tired. He took pride in keeping his yard looking great and had a lifelong hatred for the neighborhood squirrels. They may have been his only enemies. He was a friendly face all were happy to see, a fair and honest hard-working man. After retiring from the bank, he and Mabel made several trips to England, Bermuda, Florida and Maine.

Horace was predeceased by his wife, Mabel, and daughters, Nancy Blankenship and Betsy Boyd. He leaves behind many fond memories for grandchildren Meredith Gallo and Beth O’Connor of Martha’s Vineyard, and Scott Boyd and Heather Boyd of Truckee, Calif.; his sister, Jane Glidden, of New London, Conn.; and son in law, Richard Blankenship of Martha’s Vineyard.

Donations may be made in Horace’s name to Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, P.O. Box 494, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. A service will be held at a later date.