Roger D. Myrick

Roger Dale Myrick died on Jan. 21 at Southampton Hospital of complications of a stroke. He was 71 and had been planning to go back to work as chef in March at Cappelletti, a restaurant on Noyac Road in Sag Harbor.

Mr. Myrick had started his career as chef at 1770 House after graduating from East Hampton High School in 1963. From there he went on to cook at various restaurants, most of them in Sag Harbor, including Sugar Plum and Spinnakers, the latter being his favorite place to work. According to his niece Jennifer Stevens, who lives down the road in East Hampton from her uncle’s house, he also played the New York Lottery . . . and often won. He also liked making trips to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

He was born on May 25, 1945, in Emporia, Va., one of the eight children of John Edgar Myrick and the former Cherry Lue Powell. He moved to East Hampton as a 9-year-old with his family. In addition to his niece Ms. Stevens, Mr. Myrick is survived by three brothers, James L. Myrick of East Hampton, William Myrick of Baldwin, and Herbert Myrick of Baltimore, and a sister, Estelle Privott of Norfolk, Va. His brothers George Myrick of East Hampton, John Myrick and Robert Myrick of Freeport, and his sister Hilda Carter of Atlanta all died before him. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Ms. Stevens said that her uncle had also enjoyed teaching himself to paint and painted watercolor landscapes and gardens. He showed his work at Ashawagh Hall in Springs and sold quite a bit of it.

Mr. Myrick was cremated. His family received visitors on Friday at 2 p.m. at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton, and held a service at 3, presided over by The Rev. Marvin Dozier of Unity Baptist Church in Mattituck. Mr. Myrick’s ashes were buried at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton.