Ben Moore, one of the first architects to set up shop on the Vineyard and a champion of affordable housing, died on May 10 at his home in West Tisbury.
Ben Moore, one of the first architects to set up shop on the Vineyard and a champion of affordable housing, died on May 10 at his home in West Tisbury. He was 82.
A lifelong summer resident of the Island, Mr. Moore moved to West Tisbury in the mid-1970s after starting his career in Boston. He arrived with his wife Paddy Moore and their six children, looking to both escape city life and make an impact on the Island.
Mr. Moore graduated from Yale University and the Yale School of Architecture. He specialized in building homes that were traditional on the outside yet modern on the inside, and worked his way up the ladder by word of mouth, designing homes for both locals and summer people, including Cyrus Vance and Robert McNamara.
He designed the original West Tisbury Library, remodeled Grange Hall and Chilmark Town Hall, Alley's General Store, and the police station in Vineyard Haven, to name a few of his public projects.
In 1993, he offered his services at half price to recipients of affordable housing lots from the Vineyard’s various programs. He was also a member of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission’s housing task force, the historic commission in West Tisbury, and worked with Habitat for Humanity, even traveling to Jonestown, Miss. to help supervise a group of students building houses during their spring break.
“They were so acknowledging and appreciative,” he said of the community in an interview with the Gazette. “They put on a big potluck dinner every week in the gym. The local women prepare these wonderful local dishes. Catfish, grits, fried chicken.”
Mr. Moore was a fixture on the Island, the expanse of his wide forehead eclipsed only by his wide smile. His Island roots were deep. His father, Maxwell Moore, also an architect, was a longtime resident of Harthaven.
He also fit the Island mold as an outdoorsman, ice skating during the winter of '78 all the way from Aquinnah to Edgartown, pond by pond, with his son Max, cousin Stan Hart, Mike Jacobs and Nat Benjamin.
In 2011, he began to notice some issues with memory loss and was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. He faced the diagnosis with typical resolve and optimistic spirit, helped by his wife, family and friends.
“I wasn’t actually scared, and I thought this is not a trip I want to be on, but I am, so let’s find out how to deal with it in whatever way is possible,” he said in an interview with the Gazette.
Mr. Moore will be remembered by the homes and buildings he designed, as a mentor and father figure to many, and his long legacy of serving the Island.
There will be a funeral service on June 30 at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury. A celebration of life will be held on Sept. 22 at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury.
A full obituary will appear in a future edition of the Gazette.
Comments
You will be missed, my friend
Tom Hallahan Oak BluffsYou will be missed, my friend. Thank you for your friendship and serving as a mentor to me.
So sorry, Paddy - glad I got
Shirley W. Mayhew WTSo sorry, Paddy - glad I got to sit next to him at Pat Carlet's party - very tough on you, but always remember that he was lucky to have you and you kept him home and happy until the end.....Love, Shirley
So sorry to hear of Ben's
charles kernick West TisburySo sorry to hear of Ben's passing. An kind and gentle man whose expertise and talents will be missed. Condolences to Paddy and to the town of West Tisbury who'll miss him greatly.
Paddy I am so sorry to hear
Joyce Stiles-TuckerPaddy I am so sorry to hear of Bens Passing. My heart goes out to your and your family
Paddy, and family. We were so
Gerald and Linda Jones EdgartownPaddy, and family. We were so so sorry to hear about Ben's death earlier today. It just seems like a hole has been created in us, in you all, in so many. That will be hard to fill except with love and compassion for you all AND for everyone in the world. sending love and prayers to you, you all. Gerald
Hi Paddy,
Tom Bennett EdgartownHi Paddy,
He was a good man and cared for others. Not too much more you can say for a person. The two of you courageously faced his decline together, through thick and thin. You are both an inspiration to all of us. We will miss him. He was our big Ben.
Paddy, Philippa, Gregory and
Sara CraftsPaddy, Philippa, Gregory and I send our condolences to you and your family. Certainly Ben was instrumental in introducing me to the Island, so very long ago did we know each other, and of course I am grateful for that, forever. West Tisbury and all of the Island I'm sure join in your sorrow, We know also what an incredible contribution you made to his life just as he enriched yours.
Ben was a talented architect
Chris Scott EdgartownBen was a talented architect whose skill and dedication benefitted so many on our island - he leaves a lasting legacy for future generations. It was a true privilege to work with him and have his friendship. Condolences and love to Paddy and the family.
Paddy, I’m deeply saddened by
Toby Condliffe Toronto, OntarioPaddy, I’m deeply saddened by this news. Nancy and I drove Ben home a couple of times last fall from the Music and Memory Cafe. We shared memories of Yale. I will miss him. Please accept our condolences.
I WAS LUCKY TO BE A BUILDER
TERRY DONAHUE EDGARTOWNI WAS LUCKY TO BE A BUILDER THAT WORKED WITH BEN. I LEARNED SO MUCH JUST FROM BEING NEAR HIM.
HIS HONESTY, AND DESIRE TO TREAT ALL OF US AS BEING WORTH HIS ATTENTION WILL BE SORELY MISSED.
WE HAD A PROBLEM ON ONE JOB AND WERE SEARCHING FOR A SOLUTION WHEN A VERY YOUNG MASON TENDER ASKED WHY WE JUST DIDN'T DO THIS. BEN'S FACE BROKE INTO A HUGE SMILE AND THANKED HIM FOR THE SOLUTION. NO EGO JUST SEEING THE VALUE IN ANOTHER. I WILL MISS YOU MY FRIEND.
TERRY
Paddy, I am so sorry to learn
Ron DiOrio Oak BluffsPaddy, I am so sorry to learn of Ben’s passing. He was always a great guide and spirit when we started Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard. Several of the Houses build by HH were designed by Ben, I will miss him,and his wise council when ever we talked.
Ben was a kind, soft spoken,
Albert Fischer West TisburyBen was a kind, soft spoken, gentle, man with great talent as an architect, he will be missed.
Dear Paddy I do not have the
Pantoja fsmily México CityDear Paddy I do not have the right words to express how sad we are for loosing the love the friend of your life
Pantoja fam
My heartfelt condolences to
Richard Knabel West TisburyMy heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Ben faced these last years bravely, and couldn’t have had anyone better than you to walk the road with him. We miss him, but he has left his indelible mark on the town and the Island for which we shall always be in his debt. Be well.
My wife and I shared a table
Bob Magill Fort Collins, ColoradoMy wife and I shared a table with ben and paddy, at a community services dinner. He was a very caring and compassionate person. He was a pretty funny guy as well. We had a great time with them that evening.
Sad news indeed. Such a
Gail Gardner EdgartownSad news indeed. Such a wonderful man and family. My father always enjoyed the time working with Ben. We Gardners hold many fond memories of time spent with Ben, Paddy, and their extended family. Such a loss for our little island.
Dear Paddy,
Sam Feldman ChilmarkDear Paddy,
Marilyn and I send to you and your family our condolences and Love.
Dear Paddy,
Sam Feldman ChilmarkDear Paddy,
Marilyn and I send to you and your family our condolences and Love.
So very sorry to hear this.
Susanna J. Sturgis West TisburySo very sorry to hear this. To me Ben will always be the nice guy whose Sunfish had the blue-and-white sail at the Sunday races on Tisbury Great Pond . . .
I remember him well and
Fae Kontje-Gibbs Vineyard HavenI remember him well and fondly. Always so kind. Blessings.
I'm writing to call attention
Rob Burnside Kingston, PAI'm writing to call attention to "How to Have the Hard Conversation," a valuable article by Paddy Moore, posted in the Commentary section on 10 May.
Dear Paddy
sheila shapiro west tisburyDear Paddy
Sincere condolences. Thoughts are with you
Sheila
My earliest memory of Ben was
Penny mcconnel Norwich vermonyMy earliest memory of Ben was when he was 9 or 10 and I 5. He was then,
and continued throughout his life to be a sweet lovely person. He will be missed both off and on the island.
Paddy and Family, You are all
Victor Capoccia Vineyard HavenPaddy and Family, You are all in my and Janet's thoughts. Ben's impact will remain in the hearts of countless people. Your support of Ben over this last period is an inspiration to all.
Oh we will miss Ben so very
Marge and Jamie Harris Oak BluffsOh we will miss Ben so very much. What a good man and a kind one at that. So sorry for this great loss, Paddy and hopefully your memories will help to fill the chasm....a bit. Peace
Frank Lloyd Wright, upon
Douglas F Korves AIA Always on IslandFrank Lloyd Wright, upon hearing of the death of fellow practitioner Raymond Hood, said: “Ray was a good egg. The profession would have been better-off had 5 or 6 of its luminaries had passed instead of Ray.”
We think our legacy may be left in the buildings we created. Our true impact is in the ripples in lives of those we loved, respected, parented, mentored; and in our communities; where we made a difference or significant effect by any solution, big or small, that we created.
Yes, the Island without Moore is Less!
A true trailblazer!
Marcia Cini Vineyard Haven and FloridaA true trailblazer!
Paddy, you and Ben were
Elaine Pace WTPaddy, you and Ben were wonderful models of a positive approach to end of life. Our sincere condolences.
Condolences Paddy. I hope
Sandra Polleys Hawley, PACondolences Paddy. I hope your memories with Ben and faith that he is in good hands sustain you throughout this sad time. You cared for him until the end--that is priceless.
Paddy, sincere condolences
Eric Zamore Hastings on Hudson NYPaddy, sincere condolences from the extended Zamore family. Ben has always been a big fixture in our lives, and always warm memories.
Ben was one of my favorite
Kristin Knott Marlborough, MABen was one of my favorite people I’ve ever met. So sorry to hear of his passing but how wonderful he was able to be home with you all of this time. My love to you all. XO - Kristin
All of our best and respect
Mark Hess EdgartownAll of our best and respect to the Family of the Ben from all the folks at Edgartown Golf Club. I'm sure his Father, Maxwell , who must have had a profound influence on him as a parent and in his selected profession and in his life, would be very proud. Max, back in the day, as a member, designed our simple clubhouse and deck, free of charge, and it is a beautiful place, still, untouched. The Moore family is forever etched in the history of the club.
Wow! I am blown away (but not
John Moore Carbondale, ColoradoWow! I am blown away (but not that surprised) by all the thoughtful and wonderful attributes Vineyarders are paying Ben...and Paddy.
Growing up, Ben was my favorite cousin. Throughout our adult lives, my wife Caroline and I have stayed close to Paddy and Ben, whether on the Vineyard or during their many visits with us in Colorado. Paddy has been an absolute brick caring for Ben as he suffered through so many illnesses...and he weathered these with dignity and even humor.
Ben Moore was a gentle gentleman.
Ben was a dear friend and
Don Metz Thetford, VTBen was a dear friend and mentor to me as well as to so many others. His legacy of patience, compassion, competence and love will endure within everyone privileged to know him. Heartfelt condolences to Paddy and family.
Back in the 40's my sister
Pope Hoffman Dover, MABack in the 40's my sister Penny and I lived across the street from the Moore family in Farmington, Connecticut and as I recall Ben babysat for us a couple of times. It certainly is nice to read all these great tributes and memories of him - what a testament to obviously a great guy!
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