Episcopal SeniorLife Communities will break ground for Seabury Woods, its newest senior-living center, on May 30 at 3 p.m. at the Church of the Epiphany, 3285 Buffalo Road in Gates.

Seabury Woods is the first development of its kind on the west side of Monroe County. It will include three types of housing opportunities for middle-income seniors, depending on the need and the level of care desired. There will be patio homes for independent seniors, enriched-living apartments for people in need of some assistance with daily activities, and memory-care studios for people with early- to mid-stage dementia who need specialized activities and more extensive care.

The project has been a collaboration between Episcopal SeniorLife Communities and the Church of the Epiphany. Episcopal SeniorLife Communities manages other quality residences for seniors at River Edge Manor and Brentland Woods, offers adult day-care services at A Touch of Home, and provides skilled-nursing and rehabilitation services at The Episcopal Church Home.

The Church of the Epiphany initiated the project several years ago when its mission-minded parishioners began exploring ways of using their abundant land and convenient location for community outreach. It seemed an ideal setting for senior housing, so parishioners Jack Merrick and Jack Ferris approached Loren Ranaletta, president of Episcopal SeniorLife Communities, with the idea.

"We were pleased to join forces with Epiphany," explains Ranaletta. "A feasibility study was conducted that demonstrated a clear need for such services on the west side. Members of the parish joined staff from Episcopal SeniorLife in forming a task force to develop the concept."

Jack Ferris died in 1999, not knowing if the dream he helped nurture would be realized. "It's all he talked about for a long time," his widow, Libby, recalls. "He was determined to put the church's land to good use, to help the elderly." Libby has been invited to speak at the groundbreaking to represent the parish. "It's good to see Jack's dream come true," she says.

Jack Merrick is now a resident of The Episcopal Church Home, and also will be present for the groundbreaking ceremony. Other dignitaries will include The Rt. Rev. Jack McKelvey, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester; Ralph Esposito, Gates Town Supervisor; and Mr. Ranaletta.

For information on the project, contact Marion Shapiro, marketing coordinator, at 232-3130.