It is with great sadness that The Food Project shares the loss of a member of our community, Henry Masters.
As Henry's family writes:
"The thread that runs through Henry’s life—his leadership, purpose, mentoring, and capacity to effect change—is perhaps best expressed through his ten-year relationship with The Food Project, an organization fostering personal and social change through sustainable agriculture. Henry started there at age 14 as a crew member, rising through the ranks of summer positions to Crew Leader, Roxbury Site Supervisor, and later, between college and graduate school, a year full-time as Youth Programs Coordinator, building programming and curricula that ensured a level playing field for young participants from all backgrounds in the Boston metropolitan area. The Food Project embodied Henry’s hopes and dreams for society, not to mention his enjoyment of good food—grown well, harvested and cooked lovingly, and distributed to those for whom a healthy diet was economically challenging. It was a practical way to accomplish change and see growth of both food and youth."
There are so many wonderful stories and memories to be shared about Henry. Please join us in sharing your story by sending it to rememberinghenry@me.com. These stories as well as photos and poems about him can be viewed by visiting his memorial website at www.rememberinghenry.com.
Please join The Food Project, along with all of Henry's family and friends, for a memorial service to remember Henry and celebrate his life. The service will be held at 2 p.m. on December 12th, at the Arlington Street Church, in Boston. The church is located at 351 Boylston St., right on the corner of Arlington and Boylston streets. It is directly across from the Boston Public Garden.
UPDATE: For donations, the Masters family has asked that in lieu of flowers you consider:
The Food Project
A fund has been established at The Food Project (TFP) to honor Henry's commitment to youth development, his respect for the communities with which TFP is connected, and his love of the land, both urban and suburban. more info
Family Foundation
The Masters family is in the process of defining and establishing a 501(c)(3) foundation aimed at better outcomes for young persons with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The mission includes building awareness, communicating best practices, and awarding research grants. Donations will be gratefully accepted early in 2010.
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Hi everyone,
Henry was a student of mine at Milton. I taught physics, and Henry was capable and (I don't have my grade book with me) I remember he did very well. Not A+, but quite solid. But more than that, he was a solid person, grounded, in touch with everyone around him. When he came into the classroom, it was always with a heartfelt greeting, for me and everyone else in the room at the time. And a delightful, light sense of humor. He was never seduced by the power that his physical size implied, and I liked him very much for that. When I learned if his death, I thought, how unfair. Here is one of the best, ripped out of us, gone from our community of people trying to help others. Tests your faith, it does.
Fondest regards, Chris R. Brown, Milton faculty, 1999 - 2004
Most of you know me, at least staff does and some youth. But I am Hillary, Henry's girlfriend/fiancee/life partner..etc. I just wanted to share with all of you what a joy it has been to be part of your family for the last 5 years. Despite dirt covered sneakers, I loved everything sustainable inch that TFP brought into Henry's (and our) life. I will so miss having too many vegetables for dinner and yes- although he'd claim I'm lying- trying new ones. Thanks to TFP, I am now a broccoli lover... but that is what TFP does; it opens your world to a new way of thinking.
At first glance, I know I am not the type to fully embrace all that was TFP. Ok- mainly it was the dirt. But after experiencing ONE family feast, I was hooked. I'd talk up TFP at every chance I got- I work for another non profit- and would beam with pride when I could share the mission with unaware community members.
TFP allowed Henry to come into himself and embrace what he loved the most- making an impact. I only hope that each youth will be able to understand a little bit about Henry on Saturday and carry on his compassion, his dedication, his unwavering patience and most importantly.... that laugh.
Thank you, again, for your love and support at this time. And thank you for helping to give Henry the tools he needed to change the world- because we all know he would have. It is so hard to be without him but your support means a great deal. I know many of you will be there tomorrow and I appreciate that. Thank you for making me feel like family... I will truly miss that.
All of my love,
Hillary
Hi, I'm Henry's Uncle Tyler.
I would like to acknowledge and Thank all who came to Henry's memorial saturday. The tremendous turnout of all of you only reinforces the Love we all share for a great young man taken from us all too soon. We are all proud of what you accomplish at TFP and can only encourage you to hold Henry in your hearts and thoughts as you spread your enthusiasm and efforts to the next group of kids and volunteers. Keep up your Great Efforts!
Thank you all!
The thing I remember best about Henry were his laughs. I worked with Henry for a year or so at TFP and the greatest feeling in the world was to get him laughing- a deep, rolling bear-of-a-laugh that shook his whole body. When I was having a hard time as and ACL I looked to Henry as a role model of compassion, insight, and work ethic. He had a way of getting to the bare bones of any issue which led to some of the best straight talk I've ever received. To Hillary and Henry's family I just wanted to express that Henry is deeply missed and my heart goes out to you.
Molly
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