A large crowd gathered Saturday January 12, 2019 inside the Shenandoah Community Library for the dedication of the Unis S. "Jack" Rinaca Jr. Room. Alice Pence Chairman of the Shenandoah Library Board described the late Jack Rinaca as bigger than life and instrumental in every aspect of the library, from planning, construction and landscaping.
Tim Bailey, Treasurer of the Shenandoah Library Board assisted Mrs Pence in the unveiling of the room sign and portrait of Mr. Rinaca. Inscription on the sign reads "This room is dedicated to the memory of U.S. (Jack) Rinaca Jr. in recognition of his dedication and support of the Shenandoah Community Library. Jack was bigger than life and was instrumental in every aspect of this library, from planning, construction and landscaping. He was truly a guiding light for this organization."
Numerous family members were on hand for the ceremony including Billie Ann Burns Rinaca, widow of the late Mr. Rinaca; Mr. Rinaca's brother Ed from Chesterfield, Va; Son Greg from Broadway; daughters Jill Rinaca from Weyers Cave & Robin Rinaca from Accomac Va; granddaughters Anna Covatta from New York City and Danielle Riva from Boston.
A special book shelf has been set aside to hold over 320 books in the Jack Rinaca Collection funded from memorial donations.
Mr. Rinaca passed away December 28, 2017 and was a lifelong resident of his beloved Shenandoah and was well known throughout the Shenandoah Valley for his participation and leadership in community service. He served on the Shenandoah Town Council and as Mayor in earlier years.
In addition to Alice Pence & Tim Bailey, other Library board members are Ruth Reid, Connie Switzer, Downing McCoy, Linda West, Doreen Benson, and Dee West.
The library got its start in the Shenandoah Community Center and was dedicated September 10th, 1972. On Memorial Day weekend May 26, 1997, a fire destroyed the Shenandoah Community Center Library. The Shenandoah Library then moved twice before it moved into its current location on South Third Street on March 18, 1999 as a result of receiving money from the Ann S. Barb Trust fund.
The library is conveniently located on highway 340 at 418 South Third Street in the town of Shenandoah.
Please visit below link to see obituary for Unis S. €œJack€ Rinaca, Jr.
Article and pictures by Amos Thomas.
