David Merrill Ritter Was Lifelong Vineyard Resident

David Merrill Ritter, a lifelong resident of Martha's Vineyard, died Dec. 29 after a long illness. He was 77.

He was born in Oak Bluffs, the son of the late Henry and Evangeline Ritter.

David attended the Tisbury School and Tabor Academy. He attended Kenyon College in Ohio and was graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a ski instructor. He also played professional football with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Montreal Alouettes.

A man of many careers, he taught and coached at McArthur High School in Hollywood, Fla. For several years he bartended at the Boston House in Oak Bluffs and the Monticello in Framingham. Along with his late friend, Ed Krikorian, he rebuilt the Ocean View in Oak Bluffs. He also was the golf pro at Mink Meadows for several years.

David leaves his wife, Joyce Allen Ritter, and a brother, Merrill (Skip) Curtis Ritter, both of Vineyard Haven. He is survived by two stepchildren from his first marriage, Kevan Nichols and his wife, Marceen, of Vineyard Haven, and Andrea Nichols Kieran and her husband, Mark, of West, Tex., his 11 step-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three stepchildren from his second marriage, David Malley of Vineyard Haven, Paul Rabbitt and his wife, Margretta, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Carla Shea and her husband, Robert, of West Yarmouth, four step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy Russell Nichols Ritter.

David was a familiar figure on the Island waters, coaching and scalloping. He was also in the building trade and on the political scene. An imposing and opinionated man with a soft heart, he will be clearly missed by his family and circle of friends. A memorial service will be held in the spring.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, 508-695-0200.