Bryan Joseph Welz died June 9 on Martha’s Vineyard after a battle with cancer. He was 68.

Bryan was born on July 26, 1947 in Boston. He attended Catholic Memorial High School, Northfield Mount Hermon School and graduated with a degree in government from Harvard University in 1970. Prior to Martha’s Vineyard, Bryan and his wife Eloise (Weezie) lived in Cohasset for more than 30 years.

Bryan was in the wine business for most of his professional life, most recently as an independent broker. He had a vast knowledge of and passion for not just wine, but also for the culture, food and people of the world. A thoughtful man with a lifelong intellectual curiosity, Bryan was also a legendary raconteur. His stories would often unfurl over the course of an entire evening, and would make innovative use of profanity. He also loved Boston sports, The Stones, The Dead and The Beatles, fishing on Martha’s Vineyard, finding a traffic-free shortcut and reminiscing about the “good old days.” He had no tolerance for bureaucracy, bad drivers or pretense. He sported a trademark moustache and was a maker of truly extraordinary sandwiches. Those who knew Bryan Welz knew him to be a most lovable curmudgeon.

He is survived by his wife Eloise (Weezie) Welz of Edgartown,, his daughter Alison Welz of Austin, Tex., and his son Nicholas Welz, daughter in law Sarah Dinwoodey Welz, and grandchildren Adelaide and Lincoln Welz of Cohasset (to the latter he known simply as “Bubba.”)

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry Joseph Welz and Mary Welz as well as his brother Robert Welz.

A private ceremony is planned and a celebratory gathering in Bryan’s honor will be held with family and friends in the Boston area at a later date.

The family would like to most sincerely thank the staff of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital as well as Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard for their tremendous support and care. Donations are welcomed on behalf of the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group at mvcancersupport.org.