Memorial Plaque for Ben MacDonald

It doesn't seem possible that Ben has been gone a decade. The 10th anniversary of his departure from this life is in November. I am seeking funds to purchase a memorial plaque, bearing his name, and birth and death dates, to be placed in the Memorial Garden at the Church.

Ben was a gentle, kind, and generous soul - I doubt that he ever said a cruel word about anyone. He was always friendly and interested in what you were up to and when he could be, helpful.

He was a son of the Island, went to The School, and for many years took care of his grandparents, Isabel and Noyes MacDonald. He was a caretaker, a sternman, Selectman, painter, gardener, and above all a loyal friend. He was a talented artist and his pen-and-ink drawings of Isle au Haut are greatly treasured. It's been ten years but his place is still referred to as "Ben's House." I expect it always will.

He told me once that his experience doing mission work with Ted Hoskins in Belize opened his eyes in many areas - including how blessed he was to call The Island his home.

The last time I saw Ben was at the Town Wharf the summer before he left us. Asking how he was doing he replied, "Not so bad when I remember to take my pills." And had he remembered this morning? He didn't think so. I said no time like the present and hustled him in the car and ran him home and he took the d*#n pills. I wanted to tell him that people cared about him and he needed to take the pills so that they didn't worry. I wish I had.

The plaque will remind us all, and those who never knew him, that a fellow named Ben MacDonald once lived on Isle au Haut and that he loved and he was loved.