Roy T. Scheffer

Roy Timfre Scheffer, 77, passed away unexpectedly on January 1, 2026, in a tragic boating accident in Edgartown, MA. The day started out calm and beautiful, but the weather quickly turned. He and his beloved partner, Patricia Bergeron, were taken too soon by the sea.

He was born at Martha's Vineyard Hospital on October 24, 1948, to Frances Lowner Drake Scheffer of Edgartown and Frederich Sieba Scheffer of the Netherlands. In his early years, he and his mother lived in the Drake family home on Cottage Street in Edgartown, surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. There was always something cooking on the stove and many family members around sharing in the parenting of him and his young cousins. His uncle, Sam Drake, became a guiding influence and mentor throughout Roy's life.

When he was a young child, his mother remarried and they relocated to Dexter, Maine. Sadly, she died shortly after. He carried warm and vivid memories of his mother throughout his life and spoke often of her kindness and devotion. At age 12, Roy returned to Cottage Street to live with his loving aunt Edith Drake Bennett, his uncle, Dudley Bennett and four cousins - Dexter, Tom, Dudley and Jonathan. They welcomed him from the moment he arrived and he was immediately considered a son and brother.

Edgartown was his true home, the place he treasured above all others. He belonged to a neighborhood of families that the children fondly called the "East Side Gang" including the Bassetts, Bettencourts, Colters, Mellos, O'Neils and Wards. Together, they formed an extended family whose friendships shaped his youth and lasted a lifetime.

He attended Edgartown Elementary School and graduated from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School in 1966. Upon graduation, he had a few odd jobs and moved to Boston where he worked as a cook at the Sheraton Hotel for a short time. He tried different jobs but nothing could keep him from his true passion, which was fishing.

Fishing wasn't just his livelihood; it was his love. Even though he was known most recently as a successful oyster farmer, he was a master of all things commercial fishing: swordfishing, sea scalloping, dragging for groundfish, lobsters, oysters and bay scallops. In his younger years, he first went swordfishing with his father-in-law, Louis Larsen Sr., and soon was offered a boat of his own to captain. Many longtime Islanders got a chance to be a crew member on his swordfishing boat, the Tiki XII. He fished for swordfish as far away as the Grand Banks and as far south as the Gulf of Mexico, following the Gulf Stream in pursuit of this regal fish.

As fishing regulations tightened, he exchanged offshore fishing for local shellfishing. He transitioned to aquaculture in 1999. He and longtime friend, Jack Blake, with the help of the MV Shellfish Group, forged the beginnings of what has become a successful oyster farming industry on Martha's Vineyard. He was eager to share his vast knowledge, methods and innovations with up-and-coming farmers. He was proud of his industry and wanted to see future generations succeed, including his own family who worked by his side. This was one of his greatest joys.

Off the ocean, Roy spent endless hours in his thriving garden. He had the greenest thumb and grew vegetables for all of his children and grandchildren and still had plenty to share. He grew rows and rows of dahlias that took your breath away and always won ribbons at the Agricultural Fair. He loved to coach his children in sports, was a diehard New England sports fan and loved to cook. He made the best blueberry pancakes and home fries one has ever eaten. He was an avid cribbage player and was a proud member of the Martha's Vineyard Cribbage Club. His competitive nature shined through as he traveled to many ACC cribbage tournaments throughout the Northeast and was often ranked in the top 50 in his region.

He had a great sense of humor, the widest smile and always a twinkle in his eye. His yearbook quote sums it up best, "Keep smiling, it makes everyone wonder what you have been up to."

Above all else, Roy loved his beautiful partner of many years, Tricia, and his children. With Kristine Larsen Scheffer, he shared Kimberly, Isaiah and Jeremy. Years later, he welcomed Noah and Martha with Jessica Burnham. He adored being with his children and grandchildren. All the kids and grandkids, along with their partners, gathered often at his and Tricia's house for large family meals accompanied by loud laughter.

Words cannot describe how much Roy meant to his children. He was an amazing father, despite the obstacles that he overcame as a child. His children felt his strength and unconditional love every day and have lost not only their dad, but their best friend.

Roy will forever be loved and missed by his five children: Kimberly Rogers (Daniel Rogers), Isaiah Scheffer (Emma Green-Beach), Jeremy Scheffer (Isabelle Lew), Noah Scheffer and Martha Scheffer (Anthony "Lamar" Morris). He is survived by six grandchildren who were everything to him: Matteus (Grace), Brayden (Nellie), Odin Scheffer, Isaac, Vera and Maya. He leaves behind his brothers Thomas Bennett, Dudley Bennett and Jonathan Bennett as well as his half-brother, Frederich Scheffer and half-sister, Lilly Scheffer, both of the Netherlands. His brother, Dexter Mello, predeceased him. He leaves many cherished nieces, nephews and lifelong friends, including Neale Bassett and Albert Whittier.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date. A celebration of Roy's life will take place at the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Hall on Saturday, May 2nd. All are welcome. Further details will be shared closer to the date.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Roy's honor to MV Shellfish Group, an organization that was near and dear to him.