Donald Francis Brooks Pachico died peacefully at home and surrounded by family on May 13. He was 86.

He was born on Sept. 22, 1935, one of the seven children of Frank A. Pachico Sr. and Gladys Brooks Pachico.

He volunteered for the U.S. Army with his brother Melvin and served in North Korea from 1955 to 1957. To get there he boarded a boat with 1,800 men for 16 days.

When he returned to the U.S., he came home to Martha’s Vineyard, where he met his future wife Judy at her high school graduation party. They married and raised four children together.

He had several jobs over the years and then started his own painting business, which he ran until retirement. In his spare time, he enjoyed spending time with his family, scalloping, quahaugging, fishing and hunting with his son and nephews every fall. He woke up every morning at 4 a.m., took a morning drive and then met with friends for a cup of coffee. He was happiest while tending to his lawn and vegetable garden, and was known for sharing his vegetables with friends, family and neighbors.

He was an extraordinary man, lending a hand to anyone and at any time, and he was known for always showing up early. In the last week of his life, he said, “If you treat people right, they will treat you right.” That is how he lived his life. He said, “I had a good life.”

He was a member of the Holy Ghost Society and enjoyed going to their annual feast, where he enjoyed their Portuguese kale soup while catching up with friends. He was also a member of the V.F.W.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Frank Pachico Jr., his sisters Lillian Burovac and Susan Jackson, and his brother Melvin Pachico, who was his best friend and whom he deeply missed. He was also predeceased by two great-grandchildren: Haydin and Haizlei Hayes.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Judith Ferreira Pachico; sons Eric Pachico and Lance Pachico; daughters Wanda Emin and her husband Keith and Valerie Plante-Pachico; nine grandchildren, Heather Hartman and her husband John, Brooke Emin, Kristen Hayes and her husband Martin, Ryann Born and her husband Jeff, Hayley Plante-Pachico, Leah Flanders and her husband Jason, Ashleigh Plante, Lance Pachico Jr., and Madison Pachico; and 12 great-grandchildren, Deshawn Adler, Savanna Hartman, Isabella Clifford, Tyler Dolder, Josiah Free, Teegan, M’ylee, Nevaeh, Azelyah, Killian, Novvalye and Everlee Hayes; two sisters, Linda Fullin and Sylvia Metell.

Donald felt life should be celebrated. His celebration of his life will be held at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Donations can be made to either the P.A. Club, P.O. Box 2203, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.