Blair Clayton Shick Jr., formerly of Newton and Vineyard Haven, died in Hingham on August 26, due to complications from advanced dementia. He was 81.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Blair spent most of his childhood in Philadelphia, Pa. After graduating from Upper Darby High School, he attended Dickinson College (bachelor’s degree in 1960), where he met his future wife Sondra, and then went on to the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he obtained his law degree in 1963. He began his law career teaching military law at Fort Gordon U.S. Army base in Augusta, Ga. He then joined Miami Legal Services in Miami, Fla., where he worked on the landmark case, Fuentes v. Shevin, ultimately decided by the Supreme Court.

In 1969, Blair and his family moved to Newton, where he served as assistant director of the National Consumer Law Center of Boston College Law School. He later worked as a banking specialist for the Boston-based firm, Arthur D. Little, and went on to practice general law in the firm, Shick & Fierman.

He is author of the book, Torrens in the United States: A Legal and Economic History and Analysis of American Land-Registration Systems, and a contributing author to the Bank Director’s Handbook. He served on the Board of T.K. Keith Company for over 30 years.

After retiring, Blair moved to Martha’s Vineyard, where he dedicated himself to his lifelong hobbies of gardening, nature walks, history, and writing. He was an enthusiastic docent and volunteer at the Polly Hill Arboretum for over a decade, and also served for many years as treasurer for the Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha’s Vineyard.

He is survived by Sondra and their three children, Jeffrey, Courtney, and Elizabeth; four grandchildren; a sister, Susan; and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Lucille and Blair; and his sister Judy.

Condolences can be offered at https://bostoncremation.org/obituary/blair-clayton-shick-jr

A memorial service to celebrate Blair’s life will be held on the Island in late spring/early summer 2021.

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association to support further research and advocacy for the prevention of Alzheimer’s and dementia.