Community. Devotion. Philanthropy. These are just three of the words used to describe the late Eliot Winslow during the Winslow Community Room Dedication on Friday, July 12 at the Boothbay Region YMCA. 

Winslow was well known in the community as a great story-teller with a big sense of philanthropy. He and his wife, Marj, lived modestly, but supported the Y with gifts throughout their lives. Many of the Y’s signature programs and spaces can be linked back to the Winslow family, including their help to purchase Camp Knickerbocker in 1984. Eliot continued his legacy of generosity by including the Y in his estate plans, which have now come to fruition some forty years after he established his trust.

In honor of Eliot’s bequest, and the spirit of generosity it encompassed, the Y was pleased to dedicate its new community room in Winslow’s honor. During the event, guests were treated to stories of Eliot Winslow’s life, beginning with some history, including his arrival in Southport shortly after his birth in Boston in 1909. Winslow valiantly served in the Navy and the US Coast Guard in WWII, after which he returned to the area and purchased a passenger boat named The Argo. Winslow gave guided tours on narrated, sight-seeing cruises around local waters. During this period, Eliot met and married Marj and they welcomed David, their only child, in 1961. David’s long-term partner, Lisa Clarke, was thrilled with the room dedication and addressed the crowd with a beautiful memory that illustrated the deep kindness that was the center of Eliot’s life: “I found a card that Eliot wrote to Marj in late December,” Lisa said. “Penned just five days after David was born, Eliot thanked Marj for the greatest Christmas gift that any person could receive—and that was becoming a dad.” 

Lisa also shared details of the strong bond between Eliot and his late son, David. They worked together for years on barges, and on their small fleet of tugboats that guided ships out of Bath Iron Works. Eliot Winslow, never one to be idle, also bought a lobster pound with Marj, which became Robinson’s Wharf restaurant. Eliot was often seen in the Robinson’s Wharf parking lot directing cars to park together as closely as possible so that more customers could come in to enjoy good food and great community. Marj did her part inside the restaurant, where she made every customer feel welcome. 

Adding to the dais for the dedication was former Y executive director, Mike Harrison. During his 18-year tenure at the Y, Harrison had the great pleasure of knowing Eliot and Marj and was very fond of both of them. He started out his remarks by sharing the two words always come to his mind whenever he thinks of Marj and Eliot – “Humor and Generosity.”  He then enlivened the room with several funny stories about the couple.  

Current CEO, Andy Hamblett, also knew the Winslows and expressed his gratitude for their years of support and for their legacy. “The Winslow family embodies the spirit of planned giving,” Hamblett remarked. “These are the kind of gifts that make an impact at the Y for years to come and ensure that the Y’s mission will be preserved well into the future.”

The Y is so proud to honor the Winslow family’s commitment to the community. Thomas Van Meer, the Winslow family’s attorney and friend for 45 years, shared his heartfelt opinion about the dedication. “I am confident that Eliot, Marjorie and David would be quite proud and appreciative of how the Y is honoring them with the Winslow Family Community Room,” he said.   

All of us here at the Y hope you’ll visit the Winslow Family Community Room and join us in honoring the Winslow family’s legacy to the community.