Hiry,
He was such a great boss, mentor, and friend. You were more like a brother to me. I miss talking and texting with you. Shortly after you passed, my brother passed away. I hope you two finally get to meet. I told Eddie so much about you. Until we can meet again my friend.

Thinking of you, MaryBeth, and of your loving husband, Hiry. You have four beautiful kids who will bring you comfort and purpose as you all remember.
Tracey

Hiry and I trained together as stockbrokers 35 years ago. Brash young men looking to dominate a new career.
   I have vivid memories of his unique sense of humor, his impeccable style and his effortless confidence. 
   I haven't talked to Hiry in close to 20 years , yet today hearing of his passing deeply saddened me . He was a quality human and I'm glad we were friends. The world has lost a great one .

Mary Beth and kids:  You had a fabulous, huge-hearted father, especially for children.  I just learned of his death and was so saddened that he is not lighting up the world- for now!  I first met Hiry in the 1990s when I was involved in a Christmas Basket program for families on the west and south side of Chicago.  Hiry heard about it and got involved, also.  I introduced him to 12 year old Bill , and Hiry became his mentor, and much more.  He paid for Bill to go to a private high school, and so much more.  He was so helpful to Bill's family.  I loved this man and his huge heart.
Bill died at 29 in a motorcyle accident, but we talked about Hiry and his growing family and beautiful wife many times.  Rest in peace, Hiry.  I know you are with Jesus.


I’m so sorry for the tremendous loss you and the kids are experiencing, Mary Beth. I remember Hiry very fondly from our time on the Chiaravalle Board together, and Kobe drawing with Millie every day in pre-school. Hiry was an affectionate, caring, and proud dad to Kobe, Jade and Kai (and I see now that you’ve expanded your family as well), and I got to see him lift the kids up in his arms lots of times on the playground, and though I spent lots of hours with Hiry around the table, it’s the memory of little dimpled Kai in his arms that stays with me. I am sure you have many happy family memories and wish you all peace during this difficult time. 

Mary Beth, My sincere condolences to you and the children. From competitors to companions is how our story evolves... We met playing ball and over the course of 35 years our friendship continually developed, in which we would meet over and around basketball. During our era of ball you really never fraternized with players from other teams but on the rare occasions that you did it was with those you had a connection with! Hiry was one of those guys whose personality and thirst for laughter and stories made you gravitate towards him. We became teammates and soon fast friends, who shared a common thread of dealing with and helping our parents through trying times. He was one of the most giving, compassionate and cool people I've come to know! He turned a problem into a business of how to help meet our elders needs and for that I'm super proud. Hiry's efforts to help relieve some of the stress and confusing issues we face within the home care/nursing home arena will be apart of his awesome legacy. Whenever we were together our conversations would always turn towards his kids! He was super laid back but his joy for family was ever present! Mary Beth was always a part of these scenarios where an adventure was shared and relived through his joking storytelling. My heart breaks for Mary Beth and the children as they move forward without their biggest champion!  Please know that Hiry's spirit lives in each of us that knew him and lessons that he imparted whether intentional or by osmosis were well learned and will be passed forward. Love and Light ROCK B.

Mary Beth, you and Hiry appeared in our lives like angels...helping us along the path of adopting Coleman. We will never forget you.  Bobby and I are so sorry for your loss.  Much Love, the Brooms

Mary Beth, our condolences for you and the children for the loss of your husband and father of your children. You remind me a lot of my mother in terms of temperament and determination to move forward both for yourself and children. Hiry will continue  to provide you and the children the strength and love in Hiry’s myriad of ways. I too lost my father when I was 5yrs old and my mother miraculously raised my brother and me  often showing me through her actions that her strength came from the love of my father and lessons learned from their relationship and partnership. 

I have two fond memories of Hiry. The first is when you and Hiry came to Glenn’s art show on the Vineyard and fell in love with two of Glenn’s oil paintings. Hiry was gracious, fun, and gregarious while being a shrewd negotiator willing to walk away from even the paintings that you really liked . And, he was flexible and open enough to compromise. My other memory is experiencing him as a proud, attentive, and adoring father with your children always playful while being the disciplinarian especially  at Wesley and Judy’s Annual Illumination Night Party. 

Glenn and I will miss Hiry. And, his warm and loving energy will live on with us. 

Take Care,
Joe and Glenn

Love, prayers and comfort to you and your children, Mary Beth, as you endure the loss of Hiry.  I remember our days at Nazareth and when you and Hiry first met ~ such a pure and perfect love.  God bless you and your family. I am so very, very sorry for your loss ~ gone too soon.

Hiry, you will be missed.  Your immediate kind, open and generous spirit toward my family and I on the Vineyard was as wide as your smile.  Your personality was infectious and spirit so kind you were truly the life of the party.  I’m so happy to know we got to know you if only for such a brief time.  My prayers to the West family, your beautiful wife and children. 

My heartfelt wishes are with both Hiry's immediate and extended family.  In this spirit, a main theme that shaped much of the conversations during my fellowships with Hiry was the well-being of our families, and as a fuller extension, a responsibility to create environments in which underserved youth can thrive and soar.
 
I met Hiry in 2009, on the Martha’s Vineyard porch of Judy and Wesley Mayo, our mutual friends.  What struck me then, and resonates with me now, is how familiar the initial encounter was with Hiry.  It was almost as though he was not a stranger, but rather a brother that I had already known for many years. 
 
From the onset of our meeting, it was apparent how much Hiry adored not only the children in his immediate family but those in his extended family as well.  The final time I saw Hiry was last August, on his porch at the Cinderella House with his wife Mary Beth and his eldest son, Kobe, where we engaged in a spirited conversation about Kobe’s educational trajectory. Those spirited exchanges on porches either at Hiry’s and Mary Beth’s home in Oak Bluffs or West Tisbury became a welcomed tradition that I looked forwarded to annually on the Vineyard.
In retrospect, what most drew me to Hiry was arguably his special talent: nurturing others.  His adoption of four children speaks volumes to his selflessness and support of youth.  Learning about this part of Hiry's adult journey added another dimension to the quality of his character.  It speaks to his uncommon good will-and to his prodigious energy level. His capacity to affirm life was so expansive that he made this deep commitment to nurture, and dependably, our most precious resources. 
Hiry you have repeatedly directed your energies towards the advancement of young people. Thank you for your unconditional support and love for all children. Here's to you, my Friend, as someone for whom I will always hold the deepest respect and personal regard.

Kpakpundu Ezeze
Silver Spring, Maryland

Dear Godfather aka Hans from Frozen, 

My last memory, we danced “Love is an open door” from the movie FROZEN, I took your hand and we danced.  I was Anna and you were Hans. You picked me up and I soared so high to the sky as you tried to follow the exact moves from the movie. You called me “chocolate chip” and I just laughed as you fumbled through all the steps! 

I will come back to this same exact page when I grow up to be that 
phenomenal woman you aspired me to be. I will give you all my updates in my life and save my next and only Frozen dance for the day we ever meet again! 

Thank you for opening your door and embracing me with your love, aspirations and silly faces to try to make me smile on my bad days!

Frozen to the day we had our 
very last dance,
Yours truly,
Mileena Dexter aka “Chocolate Chip”




In memory of magnanimous Hiry.   I will miss you gracing the Cinderella cottage with your wonderful stories.  You were truly an inspiration to all who were blessed to meet you.  A towering presence -- never to be forgotten.  Thank you for opening your heart & home to the Cinderella crew.  MV will simply never be the same without your bright smile.  Rest well friend.



Hiry, you’ve left me speechless and heartbroken 😭 😶 
In the very short time I met you, it was clear you were a different soul!
Thank you for the impact you made in so many lives, in so many ways and in so many hearts! Your generosity was limitless, your love was effortless and your legacy will live on through those you touched! Praying for Mary Beth and your remarkable family at such a tragic moment! I just don’t want to believe we’ve lost your Hiry! 😢
Rest In Paradise! The Vineyard will never be the same! 😢
Much Love, Sergio - Chicago, Illinois 

Ro and I are so heartbroken to hear about Hiry.  I met Hiry in 1995 right out of college as a trainee on Wall Street.   I hadn’t seen Hiry in 20 years until I walked into  orientation at Gladney adoption agency and saw his picture on the wall.   Gladney gave me his number  I reached out and in an hour we were at his home ii explained we were in town from New York and considering adopting our first child. After hearing his family’s story and meeting his beautiful children and seeing the love between them We knew we would pursue adoption..   Hiry coached us every step of the way until Darcy arrived.  She is the light of our life just like Hiry said she’d be.  We owe him so much for encouraging us to move forward.  He will always be in our hearts..  Ro and Jeff Filone. 

We are devastated to hear the news about our bother and friend, Hiry. We our sending our deepest condolences to Mary Beth and the children. We met Hiry on Martha’s Vineyard and became fast friends. He was the type of person who had a giant heart and a philanthropic spirit. Every time we spoke he always talked about Mary Beth and the children with such pride. He loved his family dearly. He had an enormous sense of humor and  he always wanted to make sure people were cared for. We just spoke and texted last week and he again spoke of his family so lovingly while asking about mine. What a great loss. I will miss him and I extend my heart and hand to his parents, and beautiful family. 

With sincerity from our family, 

Monica Bisgaard 
Washington, DC

OBITUARY

Hiry Booker West III

June 3, 1958 – February 23, 2020

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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