Frank LoRusso of Chilmark died unexpectedly on July 21. Frank was doing one of the things he loved best, clamming with his best friend. He was 79 years old.

Frank was an incredible force of nature, full of life, energy and love. He loved spending time with family and friends and was always ready to take someone clamming, pull lobster pots or cook them something they “had” to try. He could fix, make, cook, grow or hunt almost anything. He was a self-taught builder, farmer, carpenter, electrician and entrepreneur. He was always working on something.

Frank grew up in Cliffside Park, N.J. and was determined to be successful and do good things. At age 10 he had a paper route and shoveled snow for his neighbors. As a teenager, he worked as butcher and as a carpenter in his uncle’s home improvement business. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Judy. They did everything together, and had just celebrated their 58th anniversary in early July.

Frank was a self-starter to say the least. He started a business in 1977 that serviced clock and fire alarm systems in schools throughout New Jersey. That same year he built a new home for his family. Frank and Judy met neighbors who had just purchased a home on Martha’s Vineyard and introduced them to the Island they would fall in love with.

In 1983, Frank and Judy purchased a vacation home in Edgartown and 10 years later decided that the Vineyard was where they would retire. So in 1993 they purchased the old Tilton/Blackwell house in Chilmark and started an extensive restoration of the historic home built in 1771. They moved to Chilmark to start their Vineyard Life in 1995 when Frank retired. He loved to share all that he had. There were wonderful dinners and parties at the old house. A dinner for four always turned into a dinner for 12 or more.

His love of building and carpentry led him to assemble a crew of young tradesmen in 1998 to build several homes in Chilmark. In 2000, he purchased the Cornerway building and took on the daunting task of stabilizing the building and upgrading it to continue to function as a commercial building with a restaurant. He always said it was the hardest thing he ever did, and his crew would agree. The following year the Chilmark Store was for sale. He approached Primo and they made a deal on a handshake.

Frank was active in the community. He served on the board of the VNA where he worked tirelessly. He organized Casino Nights at Lola’s, Kentucky Derby races, and sold bratwurst and hot dogs in front of Cronig’s on Saturday afternoons to raise money.

In Chilmark, he served on the finance committee, human resources committee and the Middle Line Road affordable housing project. He also served on the zoning board of appeals for about 20 years. His opinions were not always met with approval, but he always stood by his convictions.

Frank was one of a kind, and will be dearly missed by family and friends. He leaves behind Judy, his wife of 58 years; his children, Bryan LoRusso (and his wife Antonietta LoRusso) of Hartwick, N.Y., and his daughter Jennifer LoRusso (and her husband Joel Glickman) of Chilmark; 10 grandchildren, Nicholas, Francesca, Paul, Lucas, Matthew, Isabelle, Nina, Stella, Daniel and Emi; seven great grandchildren, Scarlet, Freya, Anthony, Liam, Alena, Natalia and Leo; and his siblings Anthony, Lucille and Patricia. He also leaves behind dear friends Merrily, Frank, Jenna, Glenn, Marcella, Pat, Carol, Mary Jo and Kate.

He was predeceased by sisters Camille and Angela.

The family of Frank LoRusso invites friends and those who were touched by his life to join them for a celebration of life on Sunday. Sept. 21 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Chilmark Tavern.