Friends and family of John Early gathered in a recently renovated community meeting room at Woodside Village on Thursday to dedicate the space to the late contractor.
Friends and family of John Early gathered in a recently renovated community meeting room at Woodside Village on Thursday to dedicate the space to the late contractor.
A brass plaque honoring his commitment to the Island’s elderly is mounted on a wall of the room, which now has new flooring and furniture, a fresh coat of paint and more. Mr. Early served on the board of Island Elderly Housing for many decades before he died in 2020.
“This effort is a major benefit to our residents... space builds community, and that was what John was all about,” said Robert Edmunds, treasurer for Island Elderly Housing.
The renovation was paid for by an anonymous donor, who requested the space be dedicated to Mr. Early.
Shakti Reynolds, Mr. Early’s wife, and her friend Wendy Whipple, shepherded the project.
Island Elderly Housing executive director Dorothy Young and Mr. Early's wife Shakti Reynolds.
Island Elderly Housing executive director Dorothy Young and Mr. Early's wife Shakti Reynolds.
“To see people from different segments of John’s life all coming together and congregating in that room was special,” Ms. Reynolds said.
She wanted the room to be a tribute to her husband and decorated the walls with paintings that belonged to him, including one of pears and another of a farmers’ market.
“I either took them off my wall or [out] from the attic,” Ms. Reynolds said.
She and Ms. Whipple also thought about the residents when making decisions about furniture, selecting couches with cushions firm enough to ease their transition from sitting to standing.
Matthew Stackpole, a board member who served alongside Mr. Early, said he was invaluable to the organization, leading the way on many building projects and offering his wisdom on most initiatives.
“Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes when I wasn’t sure how to vote I just watched what John did,” Mr. Stackpole said.
Former co-workers were in attendance.
Former co-workers were in attendance.
Many employees from J. G. Early Contractor and Builder, Inc., were in attendance.
Glenn Andrews said Mr. Early greatly cared for the residents of Woodside, ever since it was first built in 1994.
“My mother was one of the first tenants, I think she was tenant [number] three, and she used to go to all the meetings,” Mr. Andrews said. “When John was there, he’d always walk over and give her a kiss on the cheek.”
Holly MacKenzie, the chief financial officer of J. G. Early Inc., said his legacy has had an enormous impact on the community. Her father is 97 years old, and she knows firsthand how difficult it is to find housing for elderly on the Island.
“To allow people who have worked hard all their life to live out their life in dignity and in a safe and comfortable spot, is really very much appreciated by the community,” Ms. Mackenzie said.
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