Maurice V. Vosges Jr. died unexpectedly at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on Saturday, March 24. He was 68.

Born on July 21, 1943, in New York city to the late Maurice and Cecile Vosges, he was raised in Manhattan and Queens. He attended Rice High School in New York city. On Aug. 12, 1962, he was united in marriage to Virginia White in Queens, and that union was blessed with three children.

Maurice started his career as a police officer in the New York city police department in June 1968. He was a decorated and highly regarded officer and achieved the rank of 1st grade detective. In his nearly 20 years of serving and protecting the citizens of New York city, he was the embodiment of the NYPD’s motto of “courtesy, professionalism and respect.”

After his retirement from the New York city police department, Maurice worked as an investigator for the legal aid society and in the evenings he drove a limousine, where he developed relationships with many celebrities, public officials and European houses of royalty.

In his later years, he became a year-round resident of Martha’s Vineyard and took great delight in “patrolling” the Island in his red Cadillac Escalade, visiting his many very good friends and generally making sure all was as it should be. He enjoyed life to the fullest and was always appreciative of the many blessings he had received.

Maurice is survived by his daughter and her husband, Monique Vosges-Barnes and David Barnes Jr. of Long Island, N.Y., his son and his wife, Maurice and Laya Vosges 3rd of Brooklyn, N.Y. and his daughter, Nicole V. Trapp of Queens, six grandchildren, David T. Barnes 3rd, Kiara N. Vosges, Dean S. Trapp, Benjamin M. Trapp Jr., Paige M. Vosges and Maurice V. Vosges IV.

He is further survived by his brother, Ernest A. Vosges of Orlando, Fla., and his sisters, Jeanne M. Vosges of Riverdale, Ga., Micheline A. Vosges of Kissimee, Fl. and Josianne Vosges Trahan of Queens, N.Y., as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and myriad, very good friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Viviane S. Vosges, his sister, Germaine A. Earl, and his brother, Andre M. Vosges.

Maurice was also preceded in death by his beloved second wife, Lynette D. Vosges, who was tragically lost in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11.

The family expresses their appreciation and gratitude to all of Maurice’s friends from around the world, especially to his companion, Elizabeth Wilson, who selflessly and generously cared for Maurice during and after his hospitalizations.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to his children c/o Monique Vosges-Barnes, 1027 Jerusalem avenue, Unit 119, Uniondale, NY 11553, where a memorial foundation will be set up in Maurice’s memory.

His visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, 56 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, will be held on Wednesday, April 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. His funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, April 12 at 11 a.m. According to his wishes he will be cremated.

A reception will follow at the P.A. Club; please bring a dish to share.