Edward Elliott Mayhew Jr., known as Ted, Ed or Teddy, died at his home in Chilmark on June 28 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 82.

He was born on July 20, 1940 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. His parents were Edward Elliot Mayhew of Chilmark and Mildred Cushman Mayhew, originally of Bridgewater. His older sister Carol Mayhew Mays survives him and lives in New Hampshire.

Ted graduated from Tisbury High School in 1958. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He went to training at Lackland Airforce Base and from there went to Lakenheath/Mildenhall AFB in the United Kingdom in 1959. He became a vet tech, taking care of sentry dogs and inspecting mess halls, commissaries and restaurants on base. He also received a top-secret security clearance so he could inspect planes behind lines.

In 1960 he met Judy Gaby Low who lived 50 miles from the air force base. Every day, he commuted to see her. They married at St. Mary’s Church in Hitchin, Hertfordshire on Sept. 23, 1961.

After completing his five-year term in the Air Force, Ted brought Judy back to Chilmark to start the next chapter of their life together. He worked construction for Herbert Hancock, who taught him how to build houses.

In 1964 he applied for a teller position at the Dukes County Savings Bank, worked his way up to treasurer, and in December of 1977 was appointed as the bank’s second president. He worked at the bank for 40 years, learning all aspects of the business. He loved his bank family, which extended to his beloved employees as well as its many depositors. Each day he spent his lunch hour in the break room, playing cards with everyone and getting to know them on a personal level.

He made it a point to wear fun unusual ties to work so he would have something for the kids to talk about when they inevitably burst into his office for a visit. He watched them grow and became invested in their lives. When his employees had children, they became part of his family too.

Ted was a banker when loans were given with a heartfelt handshake and not reams of signed documents. He had a knack for determining a person’s character. He got to know employers around the Island well and if they sent employees to him for a mortgage or a loan, he took that as a sign of not only their ability to pay but also who they were as people. He loved to assist young people in opening their first bank account and shaking their hands to welcome them into his extended family. He retired as the bank’s president in 2004.

Ted was a former member of the Chilmark boards of health, assessors, finance committee. As a member of the select board, he participated in May 1971 in the 99-year lease of Lucinda Vincent Memorial Beach and protection of the Menemsha waters from pollution.

In 1981 he became one of the founding members of Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard and was always proud of what Hospice could do to help Islanders. He was also a board member at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club in Edgartown and trustee of the Chilmark Community Church.

He always loved his cars, especially his 1964 ½ Mustang that is still in the family. He loved fishing and lobstering during retirement on one of his boats, the Judy G, the Orion, and the Island Girl. He also loved vacationing in Florida with his friends Emmett and Kathie Carroll.

Ted is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Judy G.L. Mayhew, his daughter Rebecca Mayhew Hewitt and son in law Michael Hewitt, his daughter Sarah Mayhew Shipway, son in law Charles Morgan Shipway 4th and grandchildren Kira and Tyler Shipway.

His funeral was held on July 2 at Abel’s Hill Cemetery in Chilmark with a reception that followed at the Chilmark Community Center. It was a funeral with full military honors and his own uncle, Stanley Mercer, presented the flag to his widow, Judy Mayhew.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Chilmark Community Church or Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard.