Alton L. Hardaway Jr. died on August 9 at his home in Oak Bluffs. He was 72.

He was a loving uncle, friend and confidante to many. He was a longtime contractor and restoration specialist on the Island as well as in Boston.

Alton was born on March 4, 1949, in Boston to Alton Hardaway Sr. of Columbus, Ga., and Ethel Smith Hardaway of Clarksville, Tex. He graduated from English High School in Boston and went to college at Boston State College, which later became part of the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

As a young man, Alton, along with his two younger brothers Curtis and Andre, ran his father’s service station in Roxbury. He later went on to work as a promotional consultant representing professional athletes in Boston. Later he joined his sister Jacqueline in Europe, where he spent several years working in the fashion industry as a model.

He began visiting Martha’s Vineyard in 1971, fell in love with the Island and made it his home, spending 40 years as a year-round resident. In 1982, he began working as an apprentice under master carpenter Sam Morse. He went on to form Alton at Your Service, a simple construction business where he grew to become a well-known restoration expert. He worked on many of the historic cottages on the Island and built several new homes.

One of his most recognizable projects, the Cinderella Cottage on Pequot avenue in Oak Bluffs, was undertaken on behalf of the Norton family and involved a wholesale renovation of the historic cottage originally built in 1881. Over the years, the list of Alton’s delighted clients grew by leaps and bounds. Many became close friends.

He was an avid fisherman, a passion initially born out of a need to entertain one of his nephews, Lamine, during summer visits. Fishing became the pastime for which he was most commonly known — whether volunteering to fish a local pond with kids at Camp Jabberwocky or chartering trips out of Menemsha with local fishing captains. It was not long before he went from fishing local piers and jetties to excursions with Capt. Buddy Vanderhoop and to the Florida Keys, chasing marlin.

Alton was also known among friends and family for his culinary prowess. Island sea cuisine was the greatest influence — with the practice often being bringing fare from the sea straight to the supper table. He would cook amazing meals.

He was a regular at the Portuguese American Club, at Chef Deon’s Kitchen at the VFW, where he met weekly with some of his closest friends, and Rocco’s Pizzeria in Vineyard Haven. Wherever he went, he was always the life of the party. Alton was never without a good story to tell that would bring laughter and warmth to all. His friends will miss those stories.

He was predeceased by his parents and brother A. Curtis Hardaway. He is survived by his step-mother Mattie Hardaway; four sisters, Jacqueline Kakembo, Barbara Hardaway, Elaine Hardaway, and Angela Hardaway; and a brother Andre Hardaway.

He also leaves his nieces and nephews Craig Harmon, Lamine Hardaway, Nasozi Kakembo, Andre Hardaway, Jr., Andrell Hardaway, Antwoine Hardaway, Angelique Hardaway, Amari Hardaway, Cherie Hardaway, Amira Hardaway, a host of other loving family members, and an extended family of dear friends.

A memorial service will be held Oct. 10 at Waban Park in Oak Bluffs beginning at noon, with a repast at Chef Deon’s at 14 Towanticut street. There will also be a celebration at the PA Club on Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.

For information, visit www.altonhardaway.com