Carter Kingman Berardi died unexpectedly on Sunday, Jan. 12. He was 23 and absolutely adored and cherished by his family, whose members are devastated by their shared loss.

Carter was born April 30, 1990 in Kingston, N.Y., and lived in Hurley, N.Y., and New York, N.Y. He attended The Browning School in New York city, the Telos School in Orem, Utah, and Landmark College in Putney, Vt.

Carter spent his childhood summers growing up on the Vineyard and was an active member of the sailing program at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club. He had many lifelong friends in the community here, and worked on the Island part-time in more recent years.

His greatest gifts were his compassion for others and humble optimism, which he used to empower others to overcome many of the same challenges that he faced. His family will always remember him as irreplaceable — a loving and vibrant young man who brought people together and rejoiced in life’s simplest moments. They said the outpouring of support that they have received from his many friends across the country has been extraordinary, and the stories they have shared serve as a reminder that Carter’s actions touched so many people in important ways. His pithy wit and gentle smile will always be with us.

Carter is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Shults Berardi, his father, Eugene J. Berardi Jr.; brothers Eugene J. Berardi 3rd and Alexander B. Berardi; his grandfather John R. Shults Jr.; and a large and loving extended family.

A celebration of Carter’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston, N.Y. A separate memorial service will follow on Martha’s Vineyard in June.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carter’s name to Vineyard House at P.O. Box 4599, 15 Church Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.