Raymond A. Dahill Jr. died peacefully at Massachusetts General Hospital on May 22, 2016. He was 74.
Tony, as he was affectionately known by family and longtime friends, was born on Sept. 28, 1941, to Raymond and Frances (Daley) Dahill, and moved to the Vineyard as a young boy. At the age of 16, Ray became the youngest student pilot to solo out of Katama Airfield.
Ray graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in 1960, and went on to pursue his interest of marine life, earning his bachelor of science degree from New England College and a master’s in zoology from the University of New Hampshire. He started his own marine life business, selling specimens to multiple colleges and universities around the country. He could often be found in the waters around the Island, with his trusty sidekicks Dino and Libra patiently watching.
Later, Ray went on to be a driver, then manager, at Averill Distributors, where he met his wife Louise. They were married in 1987.
After he retired, Ray enjoyed taking extensive cross-country road trips and spending time with his family, in particular his many nieces and nephews, and greatnieces and -nephews. He is survived by his wife Louise, his sister Joan and husband Ray Saint, sister Barbara and husband Dan Harnen, and his brother Ronald Dahill and fiancé Diane Ward, and Louise’s deBettencourt and Merry families.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 31, from 5 to 7 pm, followed by a 7 pm service, at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s memory may be made to MV Shellfish Group, P.O. Box 1551, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, or to an Island charity of one’s choice.
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