Christopher D. Phinney passed away suddenly on Nov. 11, 2023 at his tennis club in Jupiter, Fla. at the age of 68.

He was known for his kind and gentlemanly manner, his steadfast devotion to his wife and two sons, his generosity of spirit to family and his many friends and his lifelong love of nature, the sea and boats.

Born in Boston, Chris was the son of Dr. Arthur O. Phinney Jr and Dorothy (Be) Turnbull Phinney. The family settled in Farmington, Conn. Chris graduated from the Salisbury School and from Connecticut College with a bachelor of arts in English. At school, he was a great sportsman, playing soccer, hockey and excelling in crew. He rowed on the Thames in London at the Royal Henley Regatta with his Salisbury eight in 1973.

He also played guitar and performed with his close friend Will Swan on the Connecticut campus and in later years for family and friends. Their friendship was a gift that sustained both men throughout Chris’s life.

Growing up, he spent idyllic summers on Chappaquiddick, sailing, swimming, clamming and playing tennis with a large extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins. His family stayed at his grandmother’s home, Wasque Farm, until his parents built a home at the edge of Cape Pogue Bay in 1960. At the age of 10, he began surfcasting at Wasque and with the mentorship of local fishermen, many of whom remained friends into adulthood, a lifelong passion was born.

After graduating from college, he lived for several years on the Vineyard, where he took an interest in building boats. He worked for Nat Benjamin, among others. He also worked as a carpenter for two contractors including his late cousin Dick Knight, building homes in Edgartown and on Chappy. He always got a kick out of walking past the Christopher Inn on South Water street and noting his decorative shingle work still on the building today.

Chris would say the highlight of his time on the Island was meeting his wife, Sue. They were married on Chappy in 1980. It was the beginning of a loving and devoted partnership. Together they founded and managed the Great Harbor Sailing Club for a number of years, and have enjoyed lasting friendships with several members.

After moving to the Boston area in 1983, Chris quickly became involved in the fledgling software industry. In 1988 he took a job at Microsoft, where he worked for 10 years. The Boston office was newly opened and Chris was one of just seven employees. At 34, he was the oldest and the only father. He and Sue had welcomed their twin sons, Jonathan and Barton earlier that year.

A devoted father, Chris left corporate life to spend more time with his growing sons and explore creative work options, most notably teaching at Babson College for several years. He built a home and barn on Chappaquiddick where he indulged his passion for woodworking and boat building. He built two wooden dinghies from plans and helped his son Jonathan design, build and rebuild a wooden skiff. As well, Chris maintained the family’s ever-changing fleet of boats. He enjoyed lending a hand to anyone who needed help with a boat.

Tennis was a lifelong pursuit. He was a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club, the Sippican Tennis Club in Marion and Jupiter Ocean Racquet Tennis Club in Florida.

Along with his family, Chris was an active volunteer at the Chappaquiddick Community Center for many years. He also became involved in fundraising at his sons’ schools.

Fully retired, Chris and Sue moved to Florida in 2015 but still returned to Chappy for the summers, where they enjoyed vegetable gardening, cooking, long beach days and sharing the beauty and bounty of Chappaquiddick with visiting family and friends. Those who love him will always be blessed with the memory of his warmth, his wry smile and his deep appreciation of people and of life.

Chris is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Sue, and by his son Jonathan, his son Barton and wife Kaitlyn, and their children, Declan and Adelyn. His grandchildren were the light of their “Cap’s” life.

He also leaves behind three siblings: Terry, Jonathan and Susan, and several nieces and nephews. He predeceased his father Art, who has since died.

A celebration of Chris’s life will be held July 20 on Chappaquiddick.

Memorial donations can be made to the Chappy Fund of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation or the Edgartown Yacht Club Foundation.