George A. Willoughby, 86, of Fort Myers, Fla., died peacefully on Oct. 26, 2026 at Pondella Residential Care in Cape Coral, Fla., with his son by his side.
George was born on May 28, 1940, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was the son of Marjorie (Shea) from County Kerry, Ireland, and Emery A. Willoughby. He grew up in Edgartown and graduated from Edgartown High School in 1959 as a member of its final graduating class before the opening of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. In his youth he was active in community sports and activities. After his father passed away at the early age of 53, George went on to work to help support his mother, younger brother and sister.
George worked at the old A&P in Edgartown, where he advanced from clerk to assistant manager and ultimately store manager.
George met and married his first wife Sharon (O’Neil) Willoughby in 1965. They had three children together, Tricia, Gregg and Karen. Together they purchased the Frito-Lay franchise and founded Island Distributors, Inc., expanding the business to include other brands and products, serving grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants throughout Martha’s Vineyard. The business was a true family business with all three children also working alongside their parents, as well as providing employment opportunities for many other extended family members and local youth.
George was a selectman for the town of Edgartown from 1974 to 1977.
George later married Susan Voorhees, who predeceased him. In retirement, George and Susan traveled extensively before settling in Fort Myers, Fla. George was an avid bridge player who competed in tournaments throughout the United States and on numerous cruises. He and Susan also enjoyed teaching bridge and serving as tournament directors and George achieved the rank of Ruby Life Master (3 ranks above Life Master).
George enjoyed the weekly summer Sunday beach days at South Beach, hunting, fishing, playing bridge, watching sports, going to Super Bowls, the Ducks Unlimited annual dinners and auctions (where he purchased many prints), telling jokes and doing card tricks to entertain his children, grandchildren and friends. He owned season tickets to the New England Patriots games for many years (when they weren’t good and played at the old Schaefer Stadium), but gave them up in 1985, ironically the season the Patriots went to the Super Bowl to face the Chicago Bears in 1986.
George is survived by his daughter, Patricia (Tricia) A. Willoughby of Edgartown, his son, Gregg A. Willoughby and his wife Sandra of Lynnfield, and his daughter Karen M. Hiemer and her husband Daniel of Diemelsee-Adorf, Germany; his grandchildren Ava and Amelia Willoughby, and Analiesa Hiemer; his sister, Kathleen J. Wray and her husband William (Billy) of Edgartown, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. Sadly, his brother, Donald E. Willoughby, passed away just 23 days before him.
A celebration of George’s life will be held at a later date.