Albert William (Bill) Richard, of Vineyard Haven, died on Sept. 16 at the age of 83.
Bill came to Martha’s Vineyard in the 1970s and spent much of the next five decades helping to build the Island, one house at a time. A master carpenter and builder, he worked on countless homes and buildings across the Vineyard, and his craftsmanship remains part of the Island today. He spent much of his career with Doyle Construction, taking enormous pride in his work and in doing it well.
Among the many Island buildings that bear his handiwork is the historic Corbin-Norton House overlooking Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs. He served as foreman for both its painstaking historic restoration in the early 1990s and, after the landmark was destroyed by fire in 2001, its complete reconstruction — a rare opportunity to help build the same extraordinary house twice.
Bill was also an avid gardener, fisherman and model-airplane enthusiast. His love of building extended even to the skies — he served as president and safety officer of the Martha’s Vineyard Model Flying Club, helping grow a community of Island enthusiasts around the hobby.
Over the years, he instilled in his children his love of gardening, fishing, history, world events, reading, building and grilling. He loved sharing stories, a good laugh and the things he knew with the people around him.
He will be deeply missed by his family and by those who knew him.
Bill is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his daughter, Rosemarie; his son, David; and his daughter-in-law, Cheryl and his siblings, Phillip and Bonnie Richard; Denise (Richard) and Patrick Moquin; Roger and Ginger Richard; and Leanne Richard.
To make a donation in his name the family has chosen Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (mvcommunityservices.org) or Island Grown Initiative, (igimv.org).
Services will be private.