Edward Lincoln Pierce died on Nov. 2 at his West Tisbury home. He was 78,

He was the fourth son of Albert Russell Pierce Jr. and Alice Mills Pierce. He grew up in Marion and was the youngest of four boys. Like his brothers he prepared at the Sippican School and Tabor Academy.

He earned a degree in horticulture with training in landscape design and then established his own business on Cape Cod. In the 1970s, he moved to the Vineyard permanently. On the Island he began a close relationship with Polly Hill Arboretum, where his love of horticulture thrived.

Ed’s outgoing personality nourished his reputation in real estate, which he successfully pursued for many years. He served a term as president of Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors.

Following his work in real estate, he worked for the board of assessors in Edgartown and West Tisbury, measuring new construction and continuing to enjoy new back roads, until his recent retirement.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard, serving several years as president and proudly sporting a kilt of MacNeil tartan ­— from his mother’s side of the family — at parades. For a time he was an active member of the Cape Cod Curling Club.

Ed’s lifelong passion for fishing led him to surfcasting in Vineyard waters and he recruited close friends to the Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association. His everpresent companion was always his dog, most recently a black lab named Wilson who remains on the Island.

He was perpetually friendly. It seemed as though he conversed personally with someone in every corner of this Island, which he clearly loved.

Ed is survived by two older brothers, Albert 3rd of Waitsville, Vt. and Richard of Youngstown, N.Y. He was predeceased by his brother Robert of Newport, R.I.

He will be interred in a private ceremony in the Pierce family plot at Rural Cemetery in New Bedford.

Memorial donations may be made to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services at mvcommunityservices.org.