Emil Arthur Kratovil Jr., known to all as Tovi, died peacefully from natural causes in his Charlottesville, Va., home on August 1 at the age of 70. He valiantly, independently and stoically dealt with the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease without complaint during the last two decades of his life, which was especially difficult for one so physically and athletically active in his earlier years.

Tovi was born on Oct. 10, 1940, at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, the first son of Louise DeWolf and Emil Arthur Kratovil. He graduated from St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H., in 1958, and from Williams College, Williamstown in 1962. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1968. He spent most of his legal career with the admiralty and maritime law firm of Haight, Gardner, Poor and Havens in New York city, where he was a partner. He was honorably discharged with the rank of captain from the United States Marine Corps, having fought in the Viet Nam War in 1965. He was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Tovi was a lifelong member and strong supporter of his college fraternity, St. Anthony Hall.

He spent many summers as a teenager and later on as a summer resident in Edgartown. He was introduced to the Vineyard in the 1950s by his parents where he honed his sailing and tennis skills representing the Edgartown Yacht Club in both sports. During the 1960s, he crewed for Commodore Hugh Bullock on his Concordia yawl, Prettimarie, and in 1979 skippered the sloop, Crossbow, to victory in the round-the-Island race. Tovi was active on the EYC tennis courts in the 1970s and 1980s, participating in many tournaments and coming close to victory in the men’s doubles on a few occasions. While a teen, Phil Norton offered Tovi his first summer job at Norton & Estabrooks (now Edgartown Marine) and from there, he moved to the Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard. During those years, Tovi often raced his peers for the coveted honor of “fastest boat in the harbor” in his 16-foot plywood Skimmer, Momus, overpowered by an Evinrude 40-horse power engine. In later summers, Tovi would often be seen fishing the rips off Chappy’s East Beach in his red Bertram 20-foot Dart. Additionally, he immensely enjoyed the company of his fellow members at the Edgartown Reading Room. Throughout his life, Tovi always held his Edgartown and Vineyard experiences close to his heart.

Tovi loved his family and friends. He always felt the deepest love and loyalty to those around him. He was interested in people and events and immensely enjoyed being in their company, swapping stories, giving terrific toasts and telling jokes; he was truly a world class raconteur. He was also an enthusiastic hunter and on occasion enjoyed setting off a firecracker or two. He moved to Charlottesville over 10 years ago, where he had a great group of friends, who enjoyed his company and watched over him.

Tovi is survived by his former wife, Elizabeth Stetson Kratovil; two sons, Emil Arthur Kratovil 3rd and deWolf Hopper Kratovil; three brothers, Edward (Ted) D. Kratovil, Stephen C. Kratovil and David W. Kratovil; five nieces and nephews, Lindley Kratovil, S. Carr Kratovil Jr., Werner DeW. Kratovil, Sara M. Kratovil and Drew H. Kratovil; and most importantly by his companion and dear friend, Janie Barnes of Charlottesville, who gave much love, support and happiness to Tovi in his last years.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 18, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hill and Wood Funeral Service on 201 North First Street in Charlottesville.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the St. Anthony Educational Foundation (stanthonyhall.org), or the Disabled Veterans National Foundation, Inc (dvnf.org) in remembrance of Tovi.