John Matthew White of Clermont, Fla. died suddenly on Friday, May 25 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was 48.

For many past seasons John was the executive chef for the Sand Bar and Grille. He died doing what he loved, and his friends and family are all heartbroken.

John was born, raised and educated in Buffalo, N.Y. He also attended the New York Institute of Technology.

He loved his life on the Vineyard, enjoying a beach run with his rescue dog Zoey every morning. He was looking forward to another season with friends and staff, all of whom he loved dearly, especially the Wallace brothers. His passion was being a chef and he was a sports car enthusiast with a passion for Porsches. Poker and a good cigar with friends and patrons were also something he enjoyed every day.

John, you accomplished what you set out to do and your success will leave a void here on earth. You left us way too soon. May you enjoy meeting up with grandmothers Marie White and NaNa (Anita) Sorgi.

He is survived by his parents Nanette Weiss and her husband, Greg and Dennis R. White and his wife, Elena; his sisters Brooke and Briana White; dearest friend Barbara Bates and family, his rescue dogs Sadie and Zoey, and the Sand Bar family.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 4 at 10 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in the Camp Ground of Oak Bluffs.

“To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. ~ Emerson