George J. Balco Jr. died of cancer at his home in Vineyard Haven on April 10. He was 81.

He grew up in Connecticut and served in the U.S. Army as part of forces patrolling the East German border at the height of the Cold War in 1961 to 1963. He subsequently spent the majority of his career as a financial analyst and fund manager at Brown Brothers Harriman in New York.

He moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1997 and spent the next 25 years deeply engaged in local government and public service on the Island, having served in at least 12 elected and appointed positions on town committees, advisory boards and boards of trustees. Of particular note to Island visitors is that the builders’ plaque on the M/V Woods Hole bears his name: he was the longtime Tisbury representative to the Steamship Authority’s port council.

He is survived by his son Greg, daughter Catharine (Cat) and grandchildren Max, Nick, Broc and Will.

Visiting hours will be held at Chapman Funerals and Cremations in Oak Bluffs on Friday, April 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven on Saturday, April 23 at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven with military honors provided by the Veterans of Martha’s Vineyard. A reception at the West Chop Club will follow at 12:30 p.m.