Richard (Dick) Kellogg Pratt Jr. of Edgartown died on Nov. 1. He was 87. Leading up to his death, his family did what he loved to do the most: hanging out, talking about years past and all the great times with family and friends.
Dick was involved in drag racing in some capacity for his entire life. With Jan Landers, he was the very first announcer at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H. when it opened its gates on Sept. 11, 1966. He was the last surviving member of the No-Mads drag racing club that met from 1952 to 1962.
In the 1960s, he opened Dick Pratt’s in Brighton and worked with local racers to make their race cars the best that they could be. In 1972 he closed the shop to start a new venture selling real estate on Martha’s Vineyard with his friends Bob Sparks and George Pessotti.
Since building his home and real estate business on the Island in the late 1970s, Dick was personally and professionally dedicated to the local community. Having organized dozens of car shows and race car-related events over the years, he generously shared his love of racing cars with everyone. He was involved with all the racers on the Island. He also partnered with other racers on the vineyard and fielded Super late models at regional tracks for years.
Dick co-founded the Rotary Club of Martha’s Vineyard, of which he was very proud. He was particularly proud of the club’s involvement with the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Dick was awarded Rotarian of the Year, an international award, for his work.
He held a black belt in Uechi-Ryu karate. Many of his friends from his Boston dojo ended up on the Island. His granddaughter Olivia is studying karate with someone he taught skills to in the 1970s.
Basketball was also a love of his. He played RCBL and pickup games everywhere he went well into his sixties. He was known for sharp elbows and a great sky hook.
Everyone who knew Dick was aware that he genuinely cared for them and was a good, old school man.
He is survived by his son Bradford Pratt and his wife Darleen Pratt, granddaughter Olivia Pratt, daughter Laura Jeanne Pratt, sister Lynne Perry and brother Wayne Perry. He has many nieces and nephews who are also mourning.
A memorial of Dick’s life will be held at the Rotary Club meeting at the Portuguese American Club in Oak Bluffs on Dec. 6 at noon.
In January, a memorial celebration will be held at the New England Racing Museum in Loudon, N.H. The date and time will be announced at a time closer to the event.
