Late pharmacist Brian Ambrefe honored, remembered at ceremony

LYNNFIELD ROTARY TREASURER Janice Casoli and Historic Lynnfield Director Kirk Mansfield unveil a bench dedicated in memory of late Village Pharmacy co-owner Brian Ambrefe while his brother Bob looks on during a Sept. 29 ceremony. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

 

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Late Village Pharmacy co-owner Brian Ambrefe’s contributions to the community were honored during a bench dedication ceremony held on the Town Common on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Brian passed away unexpectedly in August 2019 and Village Pharmacy subsequently closed in November 2019. In order to honor Brian’s life, legacy and contributions to the community, Historic Lynnfield, Inc. and the Lynnfield Rotary Club launched a fundraiser this summer that sought to purchase a bench and a plaque in Brian’s memory.

Historic Lynnfield Director Kirk Mansfield told the 75 people in attendance, which included Brian’s siblings Bob Ambrefe, Debra Haraden and Faye Omasta along with other family members, that the community’s response to the fundraiser was overwhelming.

“When we started this project, we only needed $2,500,” said Mansfield. “That was to pay for the bench, a cement pad and a plaque. We raised almost $9,000. That money is being kept in a Lynnfield Rotary account. The money will go towards the beautification of the Town Common that will always be done under Brian’s name. If it weren’t for every one of you here today, this would not be happening. Thank you so much.”

Mansfield said the Department of Public Works installed two shepherd hooks onto each lamppost on the Common. He said Historic Lynnfield and Lynnfield Rotary used a portion of the bench fundraiser’s proceeds to purchase and hang potted flowers from Gregory’s Flower Shop and Garden Center in Wakefield.

“This is brand new,” said Mansfield. “We have enough money that this is going to continue on for many years to come.”

Mansfield recalled that late Argentina First Lady Eva Perón once said, “My biggest fear in life is to be forgotten.”

“It may seem like a vain statement, but it is an incredibly powerful statement because I think on some level everyone of us has that fear,” said Mansfield. “Every one of us wants to be remembered and every one of us wants to leave a mark on the world. When I was growing up, I believed that the only way you could leave a mark on the world is if you were an actor in a movie, if you were a musician who had an album recorded or if you were a politician that changed a law.”

Mansfield recalled a story when he was “very sick a few years ago.”

“I could barely get up off the couch,” said Mansfield. “My doctor called in a prescription. Within a half-hour, I received a call from Brian. He said, ‘this medication is very strong. How do you plan on getting down here to pick it up?’ I said to him I would be down in about an hour, knowing that I did not have the energy to get down there to pick up the medication. It was within a matter of minutes that I had a knock on my door, and it was Brian with the medication. I told him I was going to get him a check. He said no and he left. I tried to pay him a week later, and he wouldn’t take the money from me. He just wouldn’t do it.”

Mansfield said Brian’s generosity taught him, “That is how you leave your mark on the world.”

“That is how you make a difference,” said Mansfield.

Historic Lynnfield Vice President Karen Nascembeni said she loved Brian and misses him very much.

“I was a frequent flyer because I always needed medication as did my late husband Steven Richard,” said Nascembeni. “He, his late parents, Edie and Earl Richard, and I all adored Brian. I remember the day that Brian died. I called Steven, and he was distraught. I have never seen him so upset about something. He just adored him. I will never forget Brian’s kindness. He was a great, great man.”

Nascembeni said her friend and neighbor, David Singer, used to walk his dog, Champy, to Village Pharmacy every day.

“David and Brian would talk about sports, and Champy would get a biscuit,” said Nascembeni. “Brian was a true friend.”

Nascembeni read three letters that were sent to Historic Lynnfield and Lynnfield Rotary along with the checks that were donated for the bench fundraiser. She said current and former players of the Village Pharmacy Men’s Hockey Team wrote in one of the letters that Brian will be remembered for his “upbeat and positive attitude, his laugh and his passion for hockey.”

“Brian continued to play with the team for over 10 years, bringing his laughter and positive outlook into the locker room and onto the ice,” said Nascembeni while reading the letter.

Durham Drive resident Ellen Crawford said she was not surprised that so many people attended the ceremony in order to honor Brian’s life and legacy.

“The Ambrefe family are in our hearts and in our minds,” said Crawford. “When I was asked to speak today, it was an easy yes. I also grew up in a family business and I know what it is like to work with your parents and your siblings. It’s an indescribable feeling because you are with them so much. That is what everybody loved when walking into Village Pharmacy. You were family. It was like walking into ‘Cheers.’ Everybody knew your name. We trusted them with our personal medical information to guide us and help us. What is better than that? We miss all of you so much.”

Crawford recalled that Brian’s parents, Albert and Lillian, started Village Pharmacy in 1961. She said the Ambrefe family is an important part of Lynnfield history.

“There are so many wonderful things that the Ambrefe family has done,” said Crawford. “One day, my 10-year-old went to have pizza at The Centre. She called me and said she didn’t have any money. I told her to go into Village Pharmacy, ask for $10 and say I will be in later to pay them. And that is exactly what happened.”

Perkins Lane resident Carol Schelzi said her twin daughters were born 39-years-ago.

“When they came home from the hospital, their dad dropped us off and ran off to work,” said Schelzi. “He called in an order instead of going to the pharmacy. Brian came to my door, and he sat with me for a couple of hours. He helped feed my daughters and he went through the paperwork that the hospital gave me to let me know what I needed to keep and what could be thrown away. Every time I saw Brian, he would always ask how my girls were. My daughters loved Brian. Instead of asking me about health issues, they would call Brian and ask him. It’s a special memory.”

Village Row resident Arthur Katz said Brian loved animals as much as people.

“Brian loved dogs,” said Katz. “Every day I walked into Village Pharmacy, I brought my dog Harry with me. If you were in Harry’s way when Brian called his name, you would get knocked over. I know Deb and Bob know that. Harry would just run, push the door open and run over to Brian. Harry would look up at Brian, and he would turn around, go over to a little cabinet and would give Harry a treat. Brian wasn’t just a humanitarian for people. He loved animals. If Harry wasn’t with me, the first words out Brian’s mouth were, ‘Where’s Harry?’ I miss Brian and I miss Harry. I will always have memories of Brian giving Harry his treats and Harry looking up at him. Brian wasn’t just a great person. He was a wonderful person.”   

The ceremony’s attendees gave all the speakers a round of applause.

After the ceremony concluded, attendees walked over to the new bench that is located in front of the Meeting House.

In addition to purchasing the bench, plaque and concrete pad, Mansfield said a portion of the fundraiser’s proceeds was used to purchase and plant a tree behind the bench. He asked the Ambrefe family to take a shovel and place some dirt around the tree.

“You will forever be a part of this tree,” said Mansfield.

Bob Ambrefe was incredibly touched by the fundraiser and the ceremony.

“Thank you all for being here,” said Bob. “We miss Brian every day. He was a wonderful person and a wonderful brother. He followed in our parents’ footsteps, and he really carried a great torch for us all. We appreciate everyone for being here.”

The ceremony’s attendees gave Bob and the Ambrefe family a round of applause. Afterwards, attendees enjoyed a reception inside the Meeting House.