Raymond Griffitts Hyde of Delaplane, Va., and Vineyard Haven died in Boston on Oct. 30, while visiting family and friends in New England. He was 68.

During his hospital stay, friends came by ferry, plane and electric car to see and support him.

Born in Riverdale, Md., on Feb. 9, 1949, Ray grew up in Owensville, Ohio before moving to Massachusetts for his high school years.

A 1967 graduate of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, Ray studied marine engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and received an undergraduate degree and a master of science degree in engineering management from George Washington University.

He was a principal engineer for 10 years at Orbital ATK in Dulles, Va., which designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation-related systems to customers around the world, including providing cargo delivery services to the International Space Station for NASA. Before that, Ray worked at two aerospace companies, Atlantic Research Corporation and Aurora Flight Sciences.

An expert sailor and lifelong boat owner, he was known for his love of the sea and his many sailing adventures, which included a transatlantic crossing to Portugal via the Azores, the Eastern seaboard from Maine to Florida, and the Caribbean. He also loved working on the farm that he and his wife Margaret kept in Delaplane.

He made friends easily and was known for his storytelling, gift of gab and love of puns, all qualities he shared with his late father.

He was predeceased by his parents, Robert T. Hyde and Elizabeth Anne Hyde, of Martha’s Vineyard, and his infant daughter, Jessica, of Delaplane, Va.

In addition to his wife Margaret, he is survived by four siblings, Beth Fox of Wolfeboro, N.H., Robin Hyde of West Tisbury, Ken Hyde and his wife Leonie of Centreville, Va., and Paul Hyde and his wife Camille of Marion, and six grandnieces and nephews and their families: Johanna Cage of Southboro, Miriam Keen of Bridgewater, Whitney (Whit) Hyde of West Tisbury, Michael Dower of Boston, and Rob and Emily Hyde of Marion.

A family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate Ray’s life. There will be no calling hours.

Donations may be made in Ray’s name to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation at https://www.rheumresearch.org/ or the charity of your choice.