Obituaries
Founder of Urban Edge and JP Organizer Who Helped ‘Stop I-95’, Ron Hafer, Passes Away at 88
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The following obituary was provided by Ron Hafer's family:
Founder of Urban Edge, community organizer and activist who helped “Stop I-95”, Ron Hafer passed peacefully on December 27, 2023 at Rogerson House in Jamaica Plain at the age of 88, with his beloved wife of 55 years, Ellen, by his side. Hafer participated in the March to Selma, worked with the Blue Hills Christian Center, created the Community Leadership Center in the mid-1960’s, helped develop the Ecumenical Social Action Committee (ESAC), and was a principal in the fight to halt the construction of I-95 from coming through the heart of Jamaica Plain—including painting “Stop I-95 – People Before Highways” in two-story tall letters along Columbus Avenue. Working with the ESAC Housing Committee, Hafer established Urban Edge in 1974, where he served as Executive Director until 1988. Urban Edge will turn 50 this year and has helped build and renovate affordable homes for thousands in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury. Hafer’s community work continued into his 70s and 80s, including St.