Herbert Francis Slater of Menemsha, died peacefully on Nov. 21, 2014 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a brief illness. He was 87. Herb was the beloved husband of Jane Neumann Slater, also of Menemsha.
Born in Providence, R.I., on March 14, 1927, he was the son of the late Herbert (Bert) Slater and Georgianna Slater. He grew up and attended school in Barrington, R.I.
He was a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and worked in movie theatres all over Providence and at the former Showcase Cinemas in Seekonk.
He was a fixture on the Menemsha waterfront since the 1940s, where he met the love of his life, Jane, at Menemsha Texaco in 1947. They were married in 1964 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this summer in Chilmark, where they have been year-round residents since 1987.
Herb loved the sea and fishing, and throughout his life owned many boats — notably the swordfishing boats Aloysious and Margie O, the sailing schooner Rigadoon, and recently a Dyer 29, The Drifter. He was a living encyclopedia of nautical information and was always ready with a story, a joke and a cheerful hello.
In addition to his wife, Herb is survived by his son Caleb Hood Slater and his wife Christine of Northbridge, Mass., and his daughter Sarah Jane Slater Bennett of Attleboro and her husband Aaron; three grandchildren: Celia Gilmore Slater of Northbridge, and Jack William Bennett and Scott Mosher Bennett of Attleboro; and his beloved dog Lucy.
Graveside services at Abel’s Hill Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Chilmark Community Center, were held on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
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