<p>The Rev. Alden Besse, pastor, sailor, president of the Martha’s Vineyard Peace Council and spiritual leader of the Vineyard Crop Walk, died on Dec. 13.
The Rev. Alden Besse, pastor, sailor, master igloo maker, president of the Martha’s Vineyard Peace Council and spiritual leader of the Vineyard Crop Walk, died on Dec. 13. He was 93 and had been living at Long Hill in Edgartown.
Mr. Besse had a long pastoral career serving parishes in the Episcopal Church for almost 40 years, from Maryland to Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and, in retirement on the Vineyard, at Grace Church in Vineyard Haven. He first visited the Vineyard in 1924, the year he was born.
“I wasn’t much of a walker in 1924,” he said in an interview with the Gazette in 2012, referring to his later leadership of the annual Crop Walk, a 6.5-mile trek from Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs. “I was good at crying.”
Reverend Besse stepped down from the Crop Walk at the age of 90, but continued to make the journey for a few years by wheelchair, helping to raise money for Church World Service and the Island Food Pantry.
He and Barbara, his wife of 60 years, moved to the Vineyard in 1990. He vowed to practice during retirement the three Cs (church, community and consanguinity—close family relationships) and the three Ps (peace, politics and philanthropy). In addition to the Crop Walk, Peace Council and Grace Church, he served as chaplain at Windemere and at Long Hill, and as president of the Island Clergy Association.
Speaking about his commitment to peace, he told the Gazette: “It seems to me that peace is just so necessary. It used to be, two men get angry with each other, they’d go off and slug each other. Now, two men get angry, they can destroy the world.”
Bruce Nevin, treasurer of the Martha’s Vineyard Peace Council, remembered Reverend Besse fondly in a note that went out to the group Thursday. “He was at every Peace Council vigil and rally, rain, shine, or snow, at every lecture and presentation that we sponsored, at the Hiroshima Day vigil at 6 a.m. on the 6th of August, and in the Peace Council contingent in every Fourth of July parade until the most recent,” Mr. Nevin wrote. “His wisdom is greatly missed; his dedication to peace with justice is an abiding inspiration.”
A celebration of his life will be held at noon on Thursday, Dec. 28, at Grace Church in Vineyard Haven.
A full obituary will follow in a future edition of the Gazette .
Comments
Alden was our neighbor and
Jane Puetthoff Vineyard HavenAlden was our neighbor and friend, always saying a little prayer as he walked past our drive...usually at 6 o’clock in the morning! My husband and I will miss him.
Alden Besse was a great man,
Faith Carter Whitman, MAAlden Besse was a great man, and a great friend to the Camp Jabberwocky family. He always took time to specifically seek me out for a short chat whenever we met. My heart is broken by his passing, but I know he is at peace. Until we meet again....
Alden Besse was one of the
Rev. Bert Marshall Plainfield, MAAlden Besse was one of the finest people I've ever known. As the former New England Director for Church World Service, I always looked forward to my visits to the island and the time I got to spend with Alden gearing up for the CROP Hunger Walk each year. He was an inspiration. Rest in peace, friend. You were one of my heroes.
Aldon Besse was the
joan adibi chappaquiddick, MAAldon Besse was the inspiration for my marching with the Peace council in the July4th parade. A voice of peace and non-violence in contrast to the glorification of war. We will miss him.
I didn't know Rev. Alden, but
Mary Solis Flower Mound TxI didn't know Rev. Alden, but I know his son Mark. If the son is a reflection of his Father then Rev. Alden was a great man. My condolences to Mark and his family for their loss.
Father Besse was a great
Robert Breckenridge Newcastle, MEFather Besse was a great credit to the Christian faith and had a big impact on me while I was among his flock at Grace Church. The church and the fraternity of all who work for the peace of our troubled world are diminished by his passing. May memory of him and his work long endure.
Rev. Alden was a great man
Timothy Dacey Metuchen NJ, (Summer Edgartown)Rev. Alden was a great man and a true proponent for peace. My family watched him lead the Island Peace group in the July 4 parade for at least 15 years. His commitment to social justice was remarkable, especially in the trying days that our nation is going through now. My wife, son, and I appreciate his many contributions to the island and will keep his family in our prayers this Christmas season.
I remember Alden as a very
Sharry Stevens-Grunden Oak BluffsI remember Alden as a very competitive skipper. I crewed for him in the Hellcat, a VH15, and we won the race from Vineyard Haven to Edgartown.
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