On April 22nd, building industry members gathered at the Shepley Showcase to celebrate Ed Dery with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ed Dery was born in Providence, RI on September 17, 1920, and is the oldest of three children. He attended private school at the Marist Father’s Seminary in Bedford, Mass, where activities like skating, fishing, and playing sports formed the foundation for his very active hands-on approach to life. Ed later studied architecture and served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a supply sergeant stationed in Albany NY. After the War, Ed met his wife Pauline. They married in 1946 and had 3 children. Ed’s father-in-law, Albert, owned the A.R. Brais Lumber Company where Ed worked in contractor sales until 1960. During his years in North Attleboro, Ed also co-founded the first credit union in town, which helped many friends and neighbors finance their homes.
In 1960, Ed moved the family to Cape Cod and began his long career as sales manager at John Hinckley & Sons Lumber Company. And after retiring from Hinckley, Ed joined EJ Jaxtimer Builder, Inc., where he has worked for over 20 years.
Ed is devoted to philanthropy through volunteer work with the St. Vincent De Paul Society of St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis, where he still attends Mass every week. Ed is an avid road-tripper who loves long drives through the countryside, stopping to gather beach nuts along Vermont back roads or picking beach plums in Truro. But above all is Ed’s love of the Ocean. He is an avid shell fisherman and angler. Ed’s greatest fish story? Catching a 50 pound striped bass off Cuttyhunk Island. A reward after suffering through hours of seasickness!
At 94 years old, Ed still attends industry seminars and enjoys sharing stories of his experiences with the younger generation of builders. Ed, we thank you for sharing your knowledge, humor and energy with us all. You are truly an inspiration!
Ed Dery (seated) with EJ Jaxtimer and Tina Fortier.
