He probably fished if he lived near the coast.
Most people died by falling down the stairs in those days.
The majority of islanders earned their living by farming until after WW2 so he could have been gored by a bull or been killed (shot) by a rich twit whilst beating for game at a shooting party.
Most people then could not swim so he may have fallen off the Solent ferry to Southampton, Portsmouth or Lymington.
I can't remember the exact dates but there were a number of flu epidemics that killed loads of poorer folk in the early 1900's.
He could have been a crewman of a lifeboat and died valliantly durin a stormy rescue of a wrecked ship.
I would check the census like Kevin suggested and see if the family are in there, this would give you their trades which might suggest a suitable death.
Good luck