Arthur Walter BenDavid, born and raised on the Vineyard, who lived his entire life in Oak Bluffs, died June 15, 2016, while surrounded by his loving family. He was 80.
After graduating from high school, Arthur served as a sergeant in the Army during the Korean War, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning home, he used his mechanic skills to work in his father’s garage, BenDavid Motors. One of his greatest memories was when his father handed over ownership of BenDavid Motors to Arthur and his brother Donald. Arthur managed the car dealership portion of the business while his brother ran the repair side.
Arthur met his bride of 58 years, Marcelle Paquet, and they were married June 21, 1958. He took great pleasure and pride in watching his family succeed and grow through the years. In later years, he became “Grampa” to six wonderful grandchildren. Grampa was the photographer and historian of the family. He documented every event through his photographs, and took great joy in sharing them.
Arthur was passionate about the water, fishing, and hunting. On the harbor, he was a special police officer for many years, and then became harbormaster for the town of Oak Bluffs for more than 20 years. Arthur made several memories on Church’s Pier, where he docked his boat Jigga. His legacy will forever be a part of Oak Bluffs Harbor.
Arthur was very proud to say he was one of the original captains to start the Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament out of the Oak Bluffs Harbor in the late 1980s.
He and 19 of his closest friends helped form the private hunting club Tom’s Neck Farm on Chappaquiddick, where he created many hunting memories with his family and friends. Also, Arthur was captain of Engine 1 of the Oak Bluffs Fire Department, and served his town for well over 20 years. He was so proud to have his sons follow his passion for the fire department.
In his younger years, Arthur coached the Celtics team in the local church basketball league.
In the early 1990s, Arthur and his brother Donald sold BenDavid Motors and retired, beginning a new chapter in their lives. He and Marcelle spent the next 22 winters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on the water, where his passion for boats continued.
Over the years, Arthur made many memories that will forever be in our hearts.
He is survived by his bride of 58 years, Marcelle Paquet; his sister Florence BenDavid; his children, Rene and his wife MaryEllen (Mel) BenDavid, Eric BenDavid, Lisa and her husband Steve Scannell, Gary and his wife Joellen BenDavid; and his grandchildren, Krista and Alex BenDavid, Jessica Forend and her husband Paul O’Reilly, Jaime Forend and her longtime partner Trevor McCarthy, and Ava and Nicholas BenDavid. He was predeceased by his father Augustus BenDavid, his mother Elvira Amaral, his sister Evelyn Correira, and his brother Donald.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 1, at 11 am at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Massasoit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. A celebration of Arthur’s life will directly follow at Farm Neck. Everyone is welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Arthur’s memory to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, with “cardiac rehab” in the memo line, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at nationalmssociety.org. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
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