Donald Guinn Smith died Dec. 26, 2023 in Micco, Fla. He was 95.

Don was born on August 1, 1928. He was from the Vineyard and was the son of Hollis and Doris Smith of Vineyard Haven.

He was a Marine and served in World War II and Korea. He also served as commander of VFW Post 9261 on the Vineyard, with his wife Pat in the auxiliary.

He led a full and varied life. He lived and worked on Martha’s Vineyard, where he and Pat opened the Seaboard Snackery — also known as The Bite — in Menemsha and many remember him from when he operated the Menemsha Bike Ferry. For many years he was a commercial fisherman and held a 100-ton captain’s license, fishing in the waters of New England and the Gulf of Mexico. He worked at Northeast Airlines, ran a ski lodge in Vermont and he and Pat opened a restaurant in Morrisville, Vt.

He also lived and worked in the Florida cities and towns of Miami, Tarpon Springs, Nokomis and Barefoot Bay.

Don identified as a well-read individual with an interest in history and geography. He had an unassuming way and was not prone to judge or badmouth people. He loved music and was always ready to lead people in song. He had a love of golf and got two holes-in one in one round.

He will be missed by those who knew him and will be remembered for his subtle and caring ways and his sense of humor.

Don is survived by his children Hollis, Jeanne, Robin and Russell, their spouses and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia Flanders of Chilmark and his longtime companion Alice Re of Chicago, Ill. and Nokomis, Fla.

A memorial service will be held in May at the Abel’s Hill Cemetery in Chilmark.