DEB HARADEN and Brian Ambrefe stand in the closed Village Pharmacy that they owned and operated for a number of years. Historic Lynnfield, Inc. and Lynnfield Rotary have joined forces to hold a fundraiser that will have a bench installed in Brian’s honor on the Town Common. He passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 23, 2019.
LYNNFIELD — Historic Lynnfield, Inc. and the Lynnfield Rotary Club are joining forces to raise funds to purchase a bench on the Town Common in memory of beloved pharmacist Brian Ambrefe, owner of the Village Pharmacy, who passed away suddenly on Aug. 23, 2019.
Village Pharmacy served the community in Lynnfield Center for over 55 years. Brian 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’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,” said Historic Lynnfield member Kirk Mansfield. “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.”
Lynnfield Rotary Charitable Foundation member Janice Casoli agreed.
“We are honored to be a part of this project,” said Casoli.
Brian’s sister Deb Haraden, who worked alongside her brother for 25 years, is honored that Historic Lynnfield, Inc. and Lynnfield Rotary decided to hold the fundraiser in Brian’s memory.
“We were so touched to hear about this plan to honor our brother who we miss deeply every day,” said Haraden. “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.”
Lynnfield resident David Singer 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,” said Singer. “This went on for years. I was devastated when Brian passed. He was a true gentleman and dear friend.”
Any size donation will be accepted. Checks can be made payable to Lynnfield Rotary Charitable Fund, PO Box 216, Lynnfield, MA 01940. Donors should write “Bench” in the memo section. All donations are tax deductible, and EIN number: 88-3347265.
The unveiling date is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 15 with a time TBD that will be followed by a gathering on the common or in the Meeting House, to be determined by the weather where there will be a short speaking program.
For more information, send an email to info@HistoricLynnfield.org.
