Albert Brock dies at 88

When his striking white hair was not tousled by ocean breezes during his frequent fishing and sailing excursions it was combed to perfection, part of the dapper professional image Albert Brock presented as one of the island's most respected businessmen.

Mr. Brock, who above all else treasured being with his family, died peacefully in Naples, Fla. in the early morning of Jan. 12, 2008 with his wife and children at his side. He was 88.

"He died with dignity," said his daughter Mary Jean. "We all felt privileged to be part of it. He was a beautiful, beautiful man."

Albert Gardner Brock was born on Feb. 9, 1919 in the Gardner Street home where he and his wife spent most of their married life. He attended Nantucket schools as well as Dean Academy in Franklin, Mass., and several New England insurance schools before becoming the third generation owner of the Albert G. Brock Company insurance agency founded by his grandfather in 1886. He enlisted in the U.S. Army after Pearl Harbor, but was honorably discharged after being injured early in his service.

Mr. Brock was a hard worker from his youth when he washed windows, ran errands for Congdon's Pharmacy, delivered vegetables for Ally Chadwick, worked at the steamship authority, brought visitors to the Sea Cliff Inn, helped run the Old Mill and assisted at Harry Gordon's garage and at the cranberry bog run by Marland Roundsville. As an adult, following his Army discharge Mr. Brock was employed at the Nantucket Gas and Electric Company until 1947 when he joined his father, William C. Brock, in the family's insurance business.

The highpoint of his life, however, was when he met Amy Duponte, another island native, when they both worked at the gas and electric company. The couple married on Nov. 5, 1944 and recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.

"He was a very family oriented man," said Amy Brock, looking through stacks of photo albums on Monday showing Mr. Brock surrounded by his children and usually by her side. "He was a beautiful man. I miss him. He was a huge part of us. He loved his children. What can we say about him? He was faithful. He was just wonderful."

When the Brocks were first married they lived on India Street, then on Pine Street while they were building a home in Monomoy. As time went on Mr. Brock became more and more involved with the community and the Brocks had children Judy, John and Mary Jean. They had a cottage in Pocomo where extended family spent summers visiting the island. In 1963, when William Brock fell ill, the family moved into his Gardner Street house to assist with his care and eventually made it their home.

His daughters have limitless fond memories of things they did with their father and of the kind and special man he was.

"He taught us to be honest. He was a very moral man," said Judy. "We never heard a swear word in our house. He would go to whatever function he was required to [for his business], but if there was a choice between function and family he would pick family."

Mary Jean talked about the weekly letters he wrote to his children when each of them left home for studies and to begin their own lives. She recalled that he always kept paper ready in the typewriter and compiled the letters in spontaneous spurts as events happened in his Nantucket experiences. Once all three siblings had left the island he copied the letter so they received identical versions. They have kept every one of those mailings.

Mr. Brock's community involvement was extensive. He was a summer projectionist at the 'Sconset Casino for several seasons, a volunteer fireman, a trustee of the Prospect Hill Cemetery Association, a member of The Wharf Rat Club, Nantucket Yacht Club, Rotary International, The Pacific Club where he played cribbage on Thursday nights, the Nantucket Historical Association and the Mayflower Society. He carried on a Brock family tradition as a member of the Union Lodge F & AM and Isle of the Sea, Royal Arch Chapter of Nantucket. He quietly assisted island people in need without taking any recognition for his generosity.

He was also in leadership roles with The Coffin School, The Homestead, as a deacon at First Congregational Church, with the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and as a director at Pacific National Bank. In addition, he was an election polls inspector and a constable at the polls and Town Meeting.

Mr. Brock's free time was filled with sailing and fishing, skills he happily taught to his family. In the winter, the Brocks joined other islanders to iceboat on Hummock Pond. He was an avid arrowhead collector, and he also liked to tinker. His daughter remembers how he created weathervanes from scraps.

"He was very clever and he was very modest about it," said Mary Jean.

Beyond his immediate family, Mr. Brock is fondly remembered by many friends, most of whom he met through his community commitments and associations.

"He was much beloved. We loved him and everybody loved him. There was no doubt about it," said Nathan McMullen, a lodge member. "No one missed their turn to say hello to this man. Salt of the earth is how I would describe Al Brock."

Maurice Gibbs, a member of the lodge and fellow Wharf Rat, said Mr. Brock was a life-long acquaintance.

"He has been an island stalwart. He's been a Wharf Rat for many years and was a leader of the church for decades. He was involved in nearly all aspects of this island. We Wharf Rats will miss him and will miss his time on deck," said Gibbs. "I would call him an all-around stalwart citizen."

Francis Pease is another lodge member who served with Mr. Brock.

"We got along fine together. We didn't spend time together in school, but I did a lot of business with his insurance office," said Pease. "He was always pleasant to work with. He was outspoken sometimes and he had a right to do that. I saw him for the last time last summer out in Pocomo. It's sad to see him go. I'll miss him."

Those are also the feelings expressed by lodge member John Gilbert. "His family has been a part of the lodge since it was founded in 1771. He was always a friend to everyone there," said Gilbert. "He was a nice man - always comfortable to be around. It's sad he's gone."

Mr. Brock was predeceased by his sister Elizabeth Brock Chase. He is survived by his loving wife, Amy Duponte Brock; three children, Judith Phelan and her husband Richard of Germantown, N.Y. and Nantucket, John Brock and his wife Sarah of France, and Mary Jean Dwyer and her husband Daniel of East Winthrop, Maine; six grandchildren, Stuart and Matthew Phelan and Kathrin Phelan Midgley, Alison Fader-Brock, Josiah Brock and Forrest Dwyer; and four great-grandchildren.

A wake will be held at the First Congregational Church, Jan. 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the First Congregational Church on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at North Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Brock's name may be made to the First Congregational Church of Nantucket or the Nantucket Conservation

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