Obituary: George J. Rezendes, Sr.

George J. Rezendes, Sr., of Nantucket, died Sunday, August 13, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. He was 88.

A lifelong Nantucketer, George was born July 31, 1935, in New Bedford, MA to Joseph S. Rezendes, Jr. and Emily Sylvia.

George grew up in Wauwinet on the Seaview Farm, where as a young man he worked alongside his father who managed the farm. He was a graduate of Nantucket High School in the class of 1954. He received an A.S. from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture (UMASS/Amherst) in 1956. He was a member of the Nantucket Police Department for 24 years where he served as Acting Chief and retired as a Captain, a rank created specifically for him. Following his retirement as a police officer, George served as Nantucket’s first Harbor Master and Marine Department Superintendent for 8 years until he retired. In his later years, he worked as a Ranger for the Trustees of the Reservation patrolling the beaches at Great Point until recently finally retiring in 2020 at the age of 85. It was a job he loved as the beach at Great Point was one of his favorite places. He was always amazed they paid him to do a job he didn’t consider to be work.

He played an important role in Boy Scouting on Nantucket for 69 years and was a key player in the recent legal battle to secure Camp Richard for future generations of Nantucket Boy Scouts. He was a long-time member and served on the board of the J.B. Chace Engine Company No. 4. He was also a member of the Madaket Admiralty for many years. He enjoyed boating, scalloping, clamming, and fishing but mostly he loved teaching these skills to his children and grandchildren.

George is survived by his wife of 66 years Anita (Brown), his 5 children, George (Mary Ann) of Stonington, CT; Al (Julie) of Nantucket; Robert “Tupper” (Penny) of Old Saybrook, CT; Emily Metcalf (Ted) of Plaistow, NH, and Edward (Paula) of Goose Creek, S.C., his brother Joseph S. Rezendes III (Linda), along with his 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father and mother as well as his sisters Margaret Gardner and Virginia Travers and his brother William Rezendes.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s, Our Lady of Isle Catholic Church on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at noon. Interment to follow at St Mary’s cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Palliative & Supportive Care of Nantucket Foundation and Visiting Nurses of Cape Cod Hospice Care.