On New Year’s Day, my grandfather, Roy, spent his final hours doing what he loved most, working on the ocean to make his living. He was scalloping alongside his beloved partner, Tricia Bergeron, as they rang in the new year together. That day, our families and Martha’s Vineyard lost two deeply important people.

With their passing, we also lost the boat they were using, a 28.5-foot Carolina Skiff that was essential to my family’s livelihood. This boat served as both a scallop boat and the primary vessel for my grandfather’s oyster farm, a business he built over 25 years ago and shared with my aunt and uncle.

While our family continues to grieve the loss of our loved ones, my family now faces the additional hardship of losing the boat that allowed them to operate the oyster farm and to scallop. Thanks to the incredible efforts of close friends, the skiff was recovered and removed from the water. However, it now requires extensive repairs before it can be used again.

This boat is key to keeping our family connected to the water and continuing the oyster farm that my grandfather was dedicated to. By donating, you are helping restore more than a boat. You are supporting local fishermen, a way of life, and honoring the dedication and work of a man who committed himself to the water and his community. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps restore this boat, sustain our oyster farm, and carry forward our generational family occupation.

My grandfather taught us to love and respect the sea, understanding that it provides when treated with care and dedication. Watching him and so many in my family build a life on the water shaped who I am today. His path connected our entire family to the ocean and to this island. This connection is a legacy worth preserving. Thank you for your support, kindness, and for helping us carry my grandfather’s legacy forward.

With deepest gratitude,

Matteus Scheffer