Historic Lynnfield, Inc. and the Lynnfield Rotary Club are joining forces to raise funds to purchase a bench on Lynnfield Common in memory of beloved pharmacist, Brian Ambrefe, owner of the Village Pharmacy who passed away suddenly on August 23, 2019.
Village Pharmacy served the community in Lynnfield Center for over 55 years. Ambrefe ran the pharmacy alongside his siblings, Bob Ambrefe, Debra Ambrefe Haraden, and Faye Ambrefe Omasta. Both Historic Lynnfield, Inc. and the Lynnfield Rotary Club offered to pay for the bench outright, but as word got out, many residents asked to be a part of the donation process. All donations will go through the Rotary Club’s charitable foundation. Any additional funds raised above the $2,500 cost will go towards flowers and landscaping for the common, under Brian Ambrefe’s name.
“Over the last year or so. I was approached by many residents who wanted to see Brian’s memory honored and I knew we needed to do something. I was excited and proud to get this project started. Brian was truly one of a kind and touched so many lives. Given the proximity to the former location of the Village Pharmacy, we thought it only fitting to have the bench memorializing Brian on the town common,” Kirk Mansfield of Historic Lynnfield, Inc. said.
“We are honored to be a part of this project!” Janice Casoli from the Lynnfield Rotary Club charitable foundation said.
“We were so touched to hear about this plan to honor our brother who we miss deeply every day. It is so heart warming to hear that five years after Brian’s passing, he is still remembered fondly and spoken of with such love and admiration. It’s not surprising given the incredible human being he was,” Brian Ambrefe’s sister, Deb Haraden, who worked alongside her brother for 25 years said.
“Every morning, without fail, I would stop into the pharmacy with my dog, Champy, and visit Brian where we would talk sports and other mutual interests. Brian would always offer Champ a dog biscuit. This went on for years. I was devastated when Brian passed. He was a true gentleman and dear friend,” Lynnfield resident David Singer said.
Any size donation will be accepted. Checks can be made payable to Lynnfield Rotary Charitable Fund, PO Box 216, Lynnfield, MA 01940. Please write “Bench” in the memo section. All donations are tax deductible (EIN number: 88-3347265).
The unveiling date is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, followed by a gathering on the common or in the Meeting House weather permitting, where there will be a short speaking program.
For more information, email us at: info@HistoricLynnfield.org.
