FAIRHOPE, Ala. — One of the Eastern Shore’s most beloved residents needs assistance, and plans are being made to lend him a hand. John Tardieu of Fairhope suffered a major heart attack Aug. 4 while visiting family members in Massachusetts. Two benefit events will be held next weekend to help he and his wife pay medical expenses not covered by insurance.

The first event will take place Sept. 19, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 370 S. Section St. in Fairhope. The evening will include food and a silent auction.

Tardieu is well known for his five-year involvement in the annual Fairhope Film Series. He and series founder Mary Riser are instrumental in organizing the weekly showcase each year, which is presented at the University of South Alabama Baldwin County Performance Center.

Tardieu is also a longtime member of Bay Area Runners, sings in the choir at St. Lawrence and can often be found enjoying Irish tunes on Sundays at McSharry’s in downtown Fairhope.

Fine Cajun cuisine prepared by Blackie LeBlanc will be a highlight of the evening next Saturday, and dessert will be provided by Panini Pete’s Café.

Also planned is a silent auction featuring a large number of items donated by local artists and authors, as well as goodies from restaurants, massage therapists and others.

A humorous retirement video of Tardieu that was taped while he was working for the U.S. Customs Service and the Department of Homeland Security will be screened to keep the mood light.

Admission to the Saturday night event is $20 per person. Tickets may be purchased at Dr. Music, the Fairhope Film Series, McSharry’s Irish Pub, Page and Palette Bookstore and the University of South Alabama Baldwin County.

A J.T. Celtic Music Night will be held the following day, from 7 until 10 p.m., at McSharry’s, 101 N. Bancroft St. in Fairhope. The venue’s session musicians will perform traditional Irish music. There is a $5 admission fee, and a portion of the till will also benefit Tardieu.

The 61-year-old is currently in a coma at Golden Living Center in Fairhope. He was flown back to Fairhope from Massachusetts by air ambulance on Aug. 21.

His wife of 27 years, Betty Wilkinson, said Tardieu is undergoing physical therapy even as he fights to regain consciousness. He only occasionally opens his eyes.

Wilkinson acknowledges the road to recovery will be a long one, and the bills are mounting.

Tardieu’s health insurance didn’t cover the $8,000 flight home, and his long-term care coverage is not enough to meet the full price of the skilled care he needs.

Out-of-pocket nursing home costs for the first 100 days alone could reach $19,000 before his extended care plan takes effect. After that, the expenses could still top $1,400 per month.

Wilkinson said she is very appreciative of all the community support she has witnessed so far. In addition to donations of silent auction items, and a lot of hard work planning the two events, several friends and acquaintances have visited Tardieu since he returned.

“People have been going by every day to visit him at the nursing home,” she said. “They organized this fundraiser, and they brought me meals.”

Tardieu’s career drew the couple to Mobile in 1983, but they relocated to Fairhope six months after their arrival when Wilkinson discovered the quaint city by the bay.

“We met in Los Angeles (in 1978),” she said. “My family was in Atlanta, and John’s was in Boston. I wanted to be closer to my family, and he wanted to move somewhere we had never been.”

Wilkinson said her husband first got involved with the Fairhope Film Series after attending a few films.

“He has always loved movies, and he loves music of all kinds. He enjoys (spicy) food and went to the Irish pub every Sunday night and talked to people. He loves talking to people.”

Tax deductible donations to help pay medical bills are also welcome. Checks should be made out to St. Lawrence Catholic Church, with “Benefit for John Tardieu” in the memo line. Donations may also be left at USA Baldwin County, 10 N. Summit St. and Page and Palette at 32 S. Section St. in Fairhope.

Wilkinson plans to donate any surplus funds raised to Physicians for Responsible Research.

For more information, call Mary Riser at (251) 626-5436.