FROM THE BOSTON CITY PAPER:
A SPECIAL
SALUTE TO ALAN MACKINNON
On
this Memorial Day, Boston City Paper joins with the West Roxbury Veterans Community to salute and honor one of the finest
Cemetery Directors in the history of Boston. Some people think the greatest thing that ever happened was when Congressman
Joe Moakley dedicated the Garden of Honor Veterans Section at The Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery. It was not.
The greatest event took place when Alan took over operation and management of what we once called the German Cemetery.
Under his leadership, veterans have been forever remembered and will never be forgotten. The cemetery today serves the
entire community not only with the new veterans section, but also many other sections including in particular the Greek Orthodox,
Catholic, Chinese and local communities. Recently, he went to Haiti to learn about the burying of large amount of people
in times of national disaster. He is one of the most loved, respected and appreciated servants of God and of the people
to ever lead a cemetery. Alan, we salute you!
By Paul Feeney, Publisher
(May 29, 2010 edition)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Alan,
Congratulations on recently completing the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association Master's Program.
You must be very proud of your accomplishments especially knowing you are the only cemetery executive in New England to have
earned such a distinction.
Alan, since purchasing the
Gardens at Gethsemane, you have become an active community leader, serving the young and old alike with wonderful annual events.
I appreciate all that you do in our community and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Again, congratulations on completing the Masters Program and best wishes during this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Rush
State
Representative
The Parkway Community is fortunate to have Alan MacKinnon and The Gardens at Gethsemane in our community.
Alan and The Gardens helped the YMCA launch our new senior walking club. Alan gave them a weekly guided tour of the
historic Brook Farm as well as provided healthy refreshments. Alan has also started a great Parkway family event - "Pumpkin
Day". To see hundreds of smiling children jumping into piles of leaves, or participating in a relay race while
enjoying homemade apple pie is an incredible sight. I have also participated in The Gardens' Memorial Day Services and
urge all members of the community to witness this very respectful tribute to the men and women who serve this country.
It is a pleasure to work with Alan and the Gardens at Gethsemane - they truly have a positive impact on our community.
Marion Kelly
West Roxbury YMCA
Dear Alan,
I would like to thank you for sponsoring the Walk Boston;State Rep Walk with State Rep. Mike Rush and AgeWell
West Roxbury on Tuesday, Sept. 23rd. Walking from Millenium Park through a clear wooded trail was a nice idea.
Then, to be entertained, fed a delicious lunch and given surprise giveaways was a real treat for the senior citizens of West
Roxbury. They were delighted, and I am still hearing about it! They think that you are such a nice guy anyway
- many know you. But to do all this for them, well, you are A#1 now! They really appreciated what you did
for them.
Your friend Eunice and your staff were so nice
to the seniors. It seemed as though they enjoyed it as much as the seniors.
I think all of us involved in coordinating the event would say it was a great collaboration and
we should continue working together. Perhaps a walk in the spring may be in the air.
I know we will be working together again soon, providing a great social for the seniors.
This partnership is very exciting for AgeWell West Roxbury. Thanks again for all you have offered the seniors.
Please know that they, and I, really appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Cathy Slade
Coordinator
AgeWell West Roxbury
Dear
Alan,
On Tuesday, October 7, 2008, Ethos friends, supporters
and neighbors gathered together to honor Faulkner Hospital and celebrate our 35th anniversary. On behalf of everyone
associated with that effort - Ethos staff, board, and volunteers - I want to thank you for making that event a tremendous
success.
I am particularly pleased to report that,
in addition to hosting a terrific party, Ethos raised over $100,000 for our mission of keeping elderly and disabled at home
and out of institutions for as long as possible.
Thank
you for helping to make this effort such a gratifying success.
With Warmest
Regards,
Dale Mitchell
Executive Director
Ethos Boston
Warm thanks for the wonderful things you do and the special person you are.
- Marge
Delaney
Dear Alan,
I want to thank you for the very enjoyable day. The walk was great. I always wanted
to walk and see where it (the trail) went. You keep that trail so nice. Also, the lunch was great. The cake looked to pretty to cut, but so gald you did!! Yum!
The flowers around your home looked beautiful. A shame the winter has to come and spoil them! I
am going to give the Long family the information you gave me on their grand daughter's exact burial location. They found
the Garden of Angels (they went back after the burial), but it was on a Sunday.
Thank
you again,
Connie Kane
Dear Alan,
Thank you for hosting the WalkBoston group at your home. It was very generous of you.
All the best,
Jan Crosby
Dear
Alan,
We just wanted to write and
say thank you so much for Pumpkin Day. It was generous of you to give this day to our community. Not only did
you have the day, give out free pumpkins, feed us, have games, etc. You also gave out gift cards to some families as well!
We were one of the lucky families to receive an IParty Gift Card & we purchased a really cool big spider and an arm that
crawls! It is people like you that remind me why I love living in West Roxbury so much!
Thank you again for the day and adding to our Halloween
decorations in our yard! (We love Halloween)
Sincerely,
The Dolan Family
Alan,
Thank
you very much for all the help you have given us.
The Costa Family
Dear Alan,
Thank you for all that you have done to make Memorial Day so memorable for me & my family.
Yours Truly,
Blanche Sabina
