Walter was born May 16, 1921, in New York City, the son of Walter Cole and Jeannette Lawson Brigham.

He was a craftsman and boatbuilder and owner of Walter L. Brigham Small Boats on Shelter Island. Walter graduated from Shelter Island High School in 1938 and attended Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., for two years, working for a time at its new on-campus model ship towing tank. Walter worked at Brigham's Shipyard in Greenport during World War II, assisting in the design and drafting of vessels being built for the war effort. He also worked for 19 years as an engineer at Western Union's field laboratory in Water Mill.

Walter was devoted to the community and was first elected a Shelter Island Town Assessor in 1969 and served for 20 years, having won five town elections during that period. He was a member of the Shelter Island Republican Committee and an Honorary Trustee of the Shelter Island Historical Society, which he served for several decades. He was a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church.

Boats, sailing and fishing were his passions, and he generously shared these with his family and legions of friends on and off the Island. He had been a member of the Shelter Island Yacht Club since 1950 and was involved in sailing and yacht racing all his life. For 70 years he raced Snipes, Stars, Blue Jays, Wood Pussys and Penguins on Shelter Island and other Long Island clubs. Over the last 25 years he helped build the fleet of Herreshoff Doughdishes and was a highly successful skipper to the end of his life. Walter's boatbuilding skills were well-known and owning a Brigham-built boat was a source of great pride to many.

Walter is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gladys Copin Brigham; his son, Lawson Walter Brigham, and his wife, Ellen, of Eagle River, Alaska; his daughter Marion Williams and her husband, John, of Anderson, S.C.; his daughter Margaret Ryan and her husband, Pat, of Stonington, Conn.; his grandson Sean Williams of Charleston, S.C.; his grandson Patrick Ryan and his wife, Holly, of Durham, N.C.; and his nephews, Walter, Charles and William Brigham and their families. He was predeceased by his brother, Harry L. Brigham.

A memorial service is planned for St. Mary's Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20. Walter's family is very grateful for the caregivers of Shelter Island and East End Hospice for their assistance and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Shelter Island Historical Society, East End Hospice, St. Mary's Church and The Shelter Island Red Cross Ambulance Fund.

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