George Van Buren Tankard Jr. of Oak Bluffs, age 70, died at his home on Saturday, July 24, after a long illness.

George was born and raised in New York city, served in the armed forces from 1951 to 1953 and was a longtime member of the Martha's Vineyard NAACP and American Legion Post 257 in Vineyard Haven. He was a painting contractor for 20 years, and put his children, sisters, nephews and children of friends to work when they needed a job.

George was an avid reader of historical novels, and the author of a book of memoirs about his life and the transition to Martha's Vineyard, featuring the friends he met here. Children especially loved him - he held them spellbound with his wide spectrum of knowledge on so many subjects, and he was a great jokester.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carrie Camillo Tankard; six children, Carmen Amadeo of Bourne, Lynda Gonsalves of Wareham, Stephanie Earl of Kansas, George V. Tankard 3rd of Louisiana, Craig Tankard of Martha's Vineyard and Felipé Tankard of Boston. He was Popie to his six grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his siblings, Robert Tankard of Vineyard Haven, Reginald Tankard of Roselle, N.J., Patricia Tankard, Audria L. Tankard and Brenda Tankard of Brookline, Garol Giosmas of Oak Bluffs, and Shirley Robinson, Merle Beaulieu and Myrna Araujo of Vineyard Haven.

Visiting hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, at the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. A memorial celebration of his life will be held at a date to be announced this fall.

Donations in his name may be made to the African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard, Box 626, Oak Bluffs, to the Martha's Vineyard NAACP, Box 1513, Oak Bluffs, or to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, Box 2549, Oak Bluffs.