John G. Early, a longtime West Tisbury selectman and volunteer on many committees and organizations across the Island, was honored on Sunday afternoon with the Spirit of the Vineyard award. The community room at the West Tisbury Public Library was overflowing as friends and supporters listened to one speaker after another praise Mr. Early.
Mr. Early is the 17th recipient of the honor, an annual recognition by Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard to a special volunteer in the community — someone “who has served for one or more nonprofit organizations on the Island and whose work has made a difference to individuals and the community as a whole,” according to the handout circulated.
Mr. Early sat in the front row as Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard executive director Terre Young opened the program and introduced each of the speakers. Ron Rappaport, an Island attorney and former recipient of the award in 2000, spoke of Mr. Early’s achievements and the legacy he has continued since he was a youth serving in the Peace Corps. Mr. Rappaport cited a long list of community action committees and town committees, including Mr. Early’s 30 years of service as a selectman in West Tisbury, and 20 years with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, many of those years as chairman.
“He is someone who has made a difference to individuals and the community as a whole,” Mr. Rappaport said. “Thank you Hospice for recognizing John. There is nobody who fits that description more than John does.”
State representative Tim Madden presented Mr. Early with a citation from the State House. “It is incredible what this man has done, not just for the Island, but the Commonwealth and the rest of the country,” Representative Madden said.
Simone DeSorcy spoke on behalf of Island Elderly Housing, crediting Mr. Early with steadfast support from the beginning.
Cynthia Mitchell, West Tisbury selectman and a longtime colleague of Mr. Early’s, described how he always valued the quality of the community and the town. Mrs. Mitchell said Mr. Early brought many skills to the table and embraced the concept of collaboration. She recalled events over the years where he would take the input of others and incorporate their elements, even if it meant going in a new and different direction.
Beth Toomey, former West Tisbury police chief, recalled how she first met Mr. Early as an applicant for the job of police chief. She spoke of his involvement in Vineyard House, an organization that recently opened a new campus for those undergoing support as they recover from substance abuse. “John is one of my favorite people,” she said. “You bring hard work and commitment to everything you are involved in.”
And the last and most important speaker of the afternoon was Mr. Early. He thanked Hospice for the recognition and those in the audience.
“I can’t quite figure out how I got involved with so many organizations,” Mr. Early said. “But, I guess it’s because I never figured out that ‘no’ is a complete sentence.”
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