Tracy C. Sharples died on May 1 at his home in Edgartown surrounded by family after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was 64.

Tracy was married for nearly 42 years to Patricia J. (Day) Sharples. He was born in Attleboro on Sept. 28, 1955, the son of the late Bennett E. Sharples and Phyllis E. (Price) Sharples and grew up in Norton. He graduated from Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical School in 1973 for auto mechanics.

Tracy was the body shop foreman for Consolidated Peterbilt in Foxboro. He and his business partner later opened and operated Annex Auto Body in Norton. He moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1987 with his wife and young children and worked for Edgartown Marine for several years until he began fishing commercially for conch. He was a conch fisherman for many years, and worked as the foreman for the Edgartown dredge. He loved working on the water. He then became interested in oyster aquaculture in 2005 and started farming and operating his own oyster farm, P & T Oysters, in Katama Bay, until his illness.

His hobbies included building hot rods, riding his motorcycle and spending time with his family. His grandchildren meant the world to him.

Tracy survived by his wife, Patty, and daughters, Melissa O’Brien and Denise Tawa; brother Craig Sharples; sisters, Ann Titus and Cindy Brabant; step-mother, Susan Harris-Sharples; step-brother, Christopher Harris; step-sister, Vinita Russell; four grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Donations in Tracy’s memory may be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, PO Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book to leave a message of condolence.