Cambridge man dies after being pulled from waters off Martha’s Winery

A Cambridge man died after being pulled from the the waters off Martha’s Winery final week, officers mentioned. 

He was recognized as 55-year-old Kevin Foster, in accordance with the Cape & Islands District Legal professional’s Workplace. 

First responders had been known as to Lengthy Level Wildlife Refuge in West Tisbury final Friday at about 3:47 p.m. for a “swimming incident,” native officers mentioned. Police, firefighters, and ambulance personnel had been joined by workers from the Trustees of Reservations, which owns the land. Three lifeguards from close by South Seashore additionally responded on ATVs. 

A number of folks had been struggling within the water, officers mentioned. The lifeguards entered the ocean, bringing the distressed swimmers to shore with the assistance of the opposite first responders. Crews labored to right away present remedy. 

One man was transported to Martha’s Winery Hospital, officers mentioned. He was later recognized as Foster. 

Foster was married with two sons. 

“He handed away on July thirty first, swimming within the waters off of Martha’s Winery, a spot he liked, amongst folks he liked, and who liked him,” his spouse, Nadia Foster, wrote in a brief on-line publish. 

State Rep. Marjorie Decker, who represents Cambridge, is a lifelong good friend of Nadia Foster and thought of Kevin Foster a part of her household. 

“He was like a brother to me, an uncle to my youngsters, one other son to my mom, and above all, a rare husband, devoted father, and cherished good friend,” Decker wrote in a social media publish. 

Decker mentioned that introducing the Fosters to at least one one other was one of many “best honors” of her life. She praised Kevin Foster’s “kindness, integrity, and compassion” and famous that he helped protect reasonably priced housing by serving on the Cambridge Neighborhood Preservation Act Committee. 

Decker helped create a GoFundMe on-line fundraiser for the household. It has raised greater than $74,000. 

“To know the Fosters is to know what group actually means. They’ve spent their lives opening their residence and hearts to others, making everybody really feel welcome, valued, and liked. The love surrounding them now could be a mirrored image of the numerous lives they touched,” Decker wrote. 

Lengthy Level is located on the southern fringe of Martha’s Winery. There aren’t any lifeguards on responsibility there, and officers warn that swimming could be “hazardous resulting from tough surf and undertows.”

The Trustees closed the seashores at Lengthy Level on Saturday and Sunday, citing “a tragic incident.” Reservations had been refunded. 

“We acknowledge that a lot of you deliberate to spend time on the seashore right now, and we respect your understanding as we navigate these circumstances with care and respect,” the Trustees wrote in a social media publish over the weekend. 

Foster’s reminiscence will reside on, Decker wrote. 

“Kevin made our household and our group higher just by being in it. His generosity, laughter, and massive coronary heart left an imprint on everybody he met,” she wrote.