Jimmy Carter's legacy lives on in Windsor following former president's death

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, is being remembered fondly in Windsor, where he volunteered time with Habitat for Humanity Canada nearly 20 years ago.

Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, came to Windsor on June 23, 2005 to celebrate the first ever Canadian-American Habitat for Humanity Jimmy Carter Work Project on Bruce Avenue, that saw six semi-detached homes be built.

"It was a wonderful time and wonderful day," recalled Rana Aikhulaidi, who was among the original homeowners present for the celebration.

"I'll never forget it. He gave us the hope and the dream to owning the house. I'll never forget it at all."

Rana Aikhulaidi seen in Windsor, Ont. on Dec. 30, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Other neighbours nearby also recall Carter's visit, saying the former president felt like family to those he helped.

"Oh, we are so sorry to hear that. He's a very kind man," said Ashraf Quasi.

"He's one of us. Hopefully his family accepts our sympathy. We lost him same as his family, because we think he's part of our family."

Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex CEO, Fiona Coughlin extended sincere condolences to the family.

“We're also so proud of the legacy that he created in Windsor,” said Coughlin.

"Not just the bricks and mortar of these houses, but the children that have grown up in these homes who are getting their Master's degrees, PhDs, becoming doctors. It's amazing.”

Coughlin said there are plans to raise a tribute wall at the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore that community members can sign, once the ReStore returns to normal operating hours this Friday.

"How people felt to hammer nails alongside Jimmy Carter and feel like he was one of them, whether you were a future homeowner, whether you were a volunteer, they were side by side and he was one of the people,” she said.

“And I think that meant a lot to people. This legacy is going to live for generations in the hearts of the families, but also the people that were impacted on those builds and the volunteers whose lives he touched as well."

Coughlin told CTV News that many people believe Carter started Habitat for Humanity due to his extensive humanitarian efforts, noting he was often referred to as their most famous volunteer.

"He just saw something that was amazing happening in the world and said, 'I'm going to join that.' He joined as a volunteer just like everyone else who comes into the ReStore on each day of the week, volunteers behind cash or comes out to the site and picks up a hammer,” she continued.

“He's a volunteer, just like you guys, and that's amazing to me. So, I think that's the legacy he leaves, he's one of the people."

Habitat for Humanity homes seen in Windsor, Ont. on Dec. 30, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Meantime, Windsor West MP Brain Masse recalled meeting Carter during his stop in Windsor, and again at Carter's presidential library in 2015.

"Meeting him was really inspiring," Masse stated.

"When I was in Atlanta, Georgia, for Canada-U.S. relations, we went to the presidential library, a few of us, where we got a chance to hear him speak at his library there and it was amazing."

Masse added that he had a “steel resolve” in his eyes. It didn’t matter what the issue was or what he was talking about, but he gave the impression that he will get stuff accomplished.

"He also was a unifier, but at the same time, he had to navigate significant political waters to become governor and then President of the United States,” he said.

“And then afterwards, a number of different issues took place across the globe. So, you saw that conviction in his eyes. Even as he was working on Habitat for Humanity, he was there for a reason because he believed in it, just as he believed in the larger issues of the world he was dealing with. So, here's somebody that's actually dealing with Middle East peace and actually brokering deals, and then later on is helping build homes in West Windsor. Says something about the person."