Edward T. Medeiros died peacefully on Tuesday morning, July 18 at his home in Edgartown. He was 77.
He was born to Edward and Anna Medeiros in Oak Bluffs on August 20, 1945. He graduated from the Edgartown Elementary School and then was in the first class to complete four years at the new Martha’s Vineyard High School, graduating in 1963. In the yearbook he was described as “cheerful” and his classmates awarded him Personality Plus and Class Wit.
After high school, Ed joined the Marine Corps and became a skilled marksman at Parris Island where he trained other soldiers. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune and toured in Europe. Greece was one of his favorite stops.
After serving three years, Ed returned to the Vineyard and met his wife of 55 years, Shirley Stahl Medeiros. They moved to Chicago for a year, then returned to the Vineyard to raise their family.
In the early 1970s, Frank Fenner and Ed started their construction business, Fenner & Medeiros. Ed was a gifted draftsman and woodworker. He and Frank built and renovated many fine homes across the Island. Ed and a crew of volunteers donated their time building a playhouse and gazebo for Island Affordable Housing Trust in 2001 during the Houses on the Move fundraiser.
Ed also handcarved and painted beautiful duck decoys that decorated his house and were given as gifts.
As a young man, Ed was a deer and duck hunter and a diehard fisherman. In 1981, his 55-pound striped bass was the largest caught by a resident from the shore during the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby.
Dozens of keepers were caught that day with dear friends Ed Jerome and Cooper Gilkes during the Columbus Day Blitz. His children also remember early morning kids’ derbies and squidding with him near the Edgartown Yacht Club.
Ed was an avid golfer who made lifelong friends at Farm Neck. For several years a group, including his son Thomas and cousin Tony, drove down to vacation and golf in Myrtle Beach.
In retirement, Ed devoted most of his time to music. His passion for singing and playing guitar began in high school. One of his first bands was Ronnie and the Juniors with Merrily Fenner. Ed especially loved when his children and grandchildren gathered around to sing with him at Christmastime and birthday dinners.
He played in the band ESP with Pat Law, Merrily and other talented Island musicians. Their regular gig was at the Portuguese American Club, his favorite bar. He was told that he sounded like Willie Nelson. No one knew that their performance this past March would be his last.
Ed is dearly missed by his family and all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Shirley and their three children, Amy Custer and hhusband John, Thomas Medeiros and his wife Christy, and Lindsay Medeiros and her partner Gregg Harcourt; and eight grandchildren, Isabelle and Alison Custer; Disney, Alexendra and Hadley Medeiros; and Dunovan. Wyatt and Benjamin Belisle. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley A. Donaroma, his in-laws in the midwest, many cousins and countless friends.
He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Anthony Medeiros.
All are welcome to a celebration of Ed’s life at the Portuguese American Club in Oak Bluffs on Thursday, Dec. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Ed’s family is grateful to the staff of Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard for their invaluable care and to the Portuguese American Club for their constant support.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Ghost Association Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 2208, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to Hospice & Palliative Care of MV, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven. MA 02568.
