Martha’s Vineyard News | Micah H. Washington, 32 – The Vineyard Gazette – Martha’s Vineyard News
Micah H. Washington of Brockton died unexpectedly on Dec. 6, 2022. He was 32.
He was the beloved son of Michael H. and Bettina M. Washington. He grew up in Waltham and his life experiences were broadened by time spent with his maternal grandparents Donald and Rachel Malonson on Noepe (Martha’s Vineyard) and his paternal grandparents Boyzell and Jeannette Washington in Roxbury. He seemed to be at home wherever he was.
He attended Fitzgerald Elementary School, the Hillside School in Marlborough and graduated from Marvelwood School in Kent, Conn. He played Little League and basketball, where his father was a coach. He was a member of the Cub and Boy Scouts in his father’s den until he attended private school. Once there, he played basketball and ultimate frisbee, ran cross-country and loved playing video games and enjoyed discovering “cheat codes.”
From a young age, he enjoyed music, dancing with his mother to Natalie Cole or cranking out Whitney Houston, until he was introduced to Parliament by his father. From then on, music was a staple in his life. It was unusual to see him without earbuds, either in the house or striding along the road.
During his younger years, Micah and his parents enjoyed trips to amusement parks, with roller coasters becoming a favorite. He expanded his travels with a Hillside school trip to Costa Rica and trips to New York city with his Marvelwood friends. Future travels took him to Arizona, Florida and Washington, D.C. His most memorable trip was to the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee.
After graduation, Micah returned to Waltham but soon left to live on Martha’s Vineyard. He worked at the tribal hatchery and in local restaurants for nearly a decade. Moving off-Island, he worked in local restaurants, Amazon and marketing technology.
His interests ranged from reading books on a wide range of topics, hiking in the Blue Hills, helping his mother understand the storylines of sci-fi and time travel television shows and cheering on/cursing the Celtics and Patriots with his father. His favorite pastime was having intense and thought-provoking dialogue. He had a strong view on politics and appreciated in-depth discussions on the subject, whether it concerned tribal, local or national level.
Micah, whose traditional name is Brave Deer, was a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and participated in powwows, drumming and singing with his tribal brothers and participating in the annual pageant. He was part of the paddling crew that met the Hokulea, paddling in the first dugout the tribe had made in recent history. He served as a docent at the Aquinnah Cultural Center and he was proud to be part of We Still Dance, the Aquinnah Cultural Center and Danza Organica collaboration.
He will be sadly missed by many immediate and extended family members, dear friends and tribal community. In addition to his parents, who live in Brockton, he was the adored nephew of Ruth A. Brown, Kenneth Washington and his wife Lorett, De’Adra Washington, Gloria Washington, Leslie Washington and Sôytum F. Ryan Malonson; and the cherished cousin of Shalaun, Candice, Kenyana, Ebony and Cedeasia.
He will be remembered for his willingness to help others, his contagious laugh, wit, kind heart and distinctive walking style. Relatives and friends are invited to attend services at Chapman Funeral Home in Bridgewater on Thursday, Jan. 5. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a funeral service at 12 p.m. A repast will follow.
A ceremonial fire will be lit at sundown on Jan. 4 and burn through Jan. 6 at the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Community Center (WTCC), 20 Black Brook Road in Aquinnah. Relatives and friends are invited to attend services on Jan. 6 at the WTCC. A visitation reception will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with a funeral held at 12 p.m. Interment will follow at the Gay Head/Aquinnah cemetery at 1:30 p.m., followed by a repast and extinguishing of the ceremonial fire.
Memorial donations may be made to your local homeless shelter/affordable housing coalition or mental health facility or organization.