Joshua William “Bill” Weeks died peacefully at his home in Palm Beach, Fla. on April 29. He was 96. 

Bill was born in South Dartmouth on June 22, 1927 to Dr. Joshua Herbert and Marion Tombo Weeks, the eldest of their four children. He was passionate about genealogy and enjoyed tracing his family’s long roots in New England. His family tree included a few whaling captains, which explained his lifelong affinity for time spent at sea.

He spoke fondly and often of his childhood in South Dartmouth and the closeness he shared with his siblings Randy, Diana and Robert.

He graduated from Friends Academy in 1942, followed by the Moses Brown School, where he graduated from in 1945.

He had the honor of being a USNR Seaman and air crewman in the United States Navy during the second World War, a distinction that brought him great pride. Following the Navy, he attended Brown University graduating in 1950 with a degree in economics.

His career took him to New York City, where he worked as an investment banker for Blythe & Co. for 10 years in their institutional sales and corporate finance divisions. Following Blythe & Co., he continued on to become vice president of finance for Howard Johnson Co. in New York before joining Alex Brown & Sons as a partner until 1976.

The following year, Bill struck out on his own as a financial consultant under the banner of Weeks & Co., Inc, where he advised large brands including General Foods and Nabisco. In 1985, he helped create and launch Aquila Tax Free bond funds. He had an acute ability to problem solve and an unbelievable memory, both of which served him well in his career.

While we celebrate his accomplishments in business, there is no doubt his greatest loves were family and sports — specifically sailing and skiing. His childhood was largely spent on the water, whether for fun or racing his boats. He often regaled his children and grandchildren with stories about sailing his 12-foot Beetle Cat from Padanaram to Cuttyhunk Island (alone) at the age of 10. 

Through the years he was a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club, the New York Yacht Club and the Pequot Yacht Club. While living in Palm Beach, he was a fixture at the Sailfish Club and The Crocodile Men’s Lunch Club, as well as an enthusiastic supporter of The Society of the Four Arts. 

He delighted in sailing his Bristol 45.5, Resolute, which he shared with his son William. Resolute often acted as both a sailboat and an overnight sleepover destination for his grandchildren when moored in Edgartown Harbor, where many games of Old Maid were played under the stars.

In the winter he was a skilled skier

who loved nothing more than barreling (gracefully) down the mountains of Stowe with his sons Bill and Josh. He passed down a love of ice hockey to his children and grandchildren, and rarely missed a hockey game or a horse show that they participated in. His unconditional love and support — and healthy dose of competitive nature — pushed those he cared about towards greatness. 

He is survived by his devoted wife Robin, whose love unquestionably allowed for the longevity he enjoyed that allowed him to see his family grow and flourish. He leaves behind two daughters, Pamela T. Weeks and Deborah Weeks Lockett, and two sons, William Weeks and Joshua Weeks from his previous marriages.

He was blessed to enjoy many happy years with his nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom were a constant source of joy and pride. He was predeceased by his parents, siblings and beloved grandson Joshua Peter Weeks. 

We will remember his quick mind, gentle nature, signature Old Spice hugs, short khaki shorts, loyalty, navy cashmere sweaters and his tendency to add unnecessary “r’s” to the end of words that ended in “a”, as most native Massachusetts sons of his era did. His eyes had a perpetual sparkle of curiosity that made him the best company one could hope for. He loved coffee ice cream, history, the Vineyard in September and his iconic collection of model soldiers, planes and cars.  A phone call from him unfailingly ended with a “well, I love you,” never leaving any question about his feelings or fondness. We are fairly sure he never forgot a single thing that happened to or around him, and luckily, we will never forget him.  In lieu of flowers, he hoped that those who wished to honor his memory would consider a donation to the Vineyard Preservation Trust.