As a member of a Sunday New Thought class conducted at Peace Chapel, Ed Marinacci, participating in a Meditation Walk around the grounds, noted the natural beauty of Unity’s Peace Garden. That was his introduction to UCC—from the outside. Later, when he came inside for a holiday candlelight service, what an epiphany!
Today, Ed, who will be welcomed next month as a new member of Unity’s Board of Directors, tends the Peace Garden that he once admired. In the nearly three years since he first came to UCC, he has eagerly assimilated into volunteer activities, serving as a Meetup organizer and attending a variety of classes, seldom missing the Rev. Judy Tafelski’s Wednesday evening prayer meditation service.
A job transfer in 1993 brought Ed, a Long Islander, to the Sunshine State where he has remained, although he visits relatives in New York about once a year. An Associate degree and Architectural Technical School certificate prepared him for his life’s work as a project manager and facility planner, first with MetLife, and now with Graebel, serving clients like Hospice, Verizon and Frontier. While he frequently visits their physical locations, his work is primarily home-based, and, it seems, he says, that “I’m always leaving, not staying.” By contrast, at Unity, “I feel like I’m on a team,” and that is just one thing that Ed, who is genial and people-oriented, likes about being here.
For starters, he loves the music and listens daily to the CDs of favorites like Sue Riley, Anji Kat and Tom Kimmel, making his exercise routine more enjoyable. He appreciates both the learning and social opportunities at Unity where he has made new friends, who are welcoming, warm and giving. Raised Catholic, he recalls the formality and, as a kid, sitting through mass without actually knowing what was going on. “Unity is so much more relaxing, and Leddy is the kind of person who is real, vivacious and fun, the Reverend that runs the whole kit and caboodle,” he laughingly, admiringly observes.
At his home in Safety Harbor, Ed delights in the companionship of his mini dachshund Molly, 10, a beagle Barney, 11 and Jinx, 15, a Tuxedo cat who acts like a dog because that’s all he’s ever known. He also derives pleasure from his volunteer work with the Daschund Skyway Rescue Group, where he attends events and tries to get dogs adopted. A collector of model cars, Ed enjoys classic car shows, architecture and art. He has also developed an interest in gardening and helps his neighbors and his community in that endeavor.
Asked about future plans, Ed says he’s not much of a traveler. He’s been to all of the East Coast states, California and the Midwest but tends to favor weekend trips. At retirement in a few short years, he’d like to begin a second career, totally different from what he’s been doing for 30+ years and less intense with fewer hours. He is confident that he will realize that aspiration.