The community remembered the late Brian Ambrefe, a local pharmacist who died unexpectedly on Aug. 23, 2019, by unveiling a bench at the Town Common donated in his honor on Sunday.
Lynnfield Historic, Inc. and Lynnfield Rotary Club began raising funds in July. The goal was to raise $2,500 to donate a bench at the Town Common in Ambrefe’s honor, Kirk Mansfield of Lynnfield Historic, Inc. said.
The organizations raised nearly $9,000, Mansfield said. The funds will only ever be used for beautification of the Common.
“It will always be done under Brian’s name,” he added.
Ambrefe owned and operated Village Pharmacy and was beloved by the community. Residents shared stories of his impact on the community and their lives.
Mansfield shared a story of Ambrefe going out of his way to hand-deliver medicine to his house knowing he was too sick to come down to the pharmacy himself.
“I realized that is how you leave your mark on the world. That is what makes a difference,” Mansfield said.
Karen Nascembeni, of Lynnfield Historic, Inc., read letters from suppliers, Ambrefe’s hockey teammates, and residents who sent in letters with their donations for the bench.
One letter stated Ambrefe “easily wore so many hats — friend, local proprietor, extremely knowledgeable pharmacist, sports enthusiast, and most of all, a genuine and caring person who always gave you the truth, even if it was not in the best financial interests of his company. Truly one of the best that I have known.”
Community members shared stories of Ambrefe’s love for his community, his four-legged friends, and anyone who came through his pharmacy’s doors.
The two organizations used some of the surplus of donations to purchase a plant, which Ambrefe’s family helped cover with dirt and plant behind his bench.
“We miss Brian every day,” his brother, Bob Ambrefe said. “He was a wonderful person, a wonderful brother. He followed into our parents’ footsteps.”
