Each year we light the common, To celebrate the season and remember those dear to our community
Our children decorate the smallest tree with colored lights remembering our friends, family and neighbors:
|
|
|
Since 1996, The Norwell Men’s Club have placed colored lights on our display to act as stars that remember our neighbors. It is our drop in the ocean, of remembering each of these lives. The Men’s Club hope to recognize those public safety personnel who have answered their final call, and those Norwell neighbors that enrich all of our lives.
Norwell Men’s Club, past president, John Lalone, put it very well, “While the original red star was placed in 1996, that sentiment has grown to remember all that put their lives in harm’s way for the benefit of our Community. |
The Red Star has come to signify fire, EMS, EMT and first responders. Blue signifies our Police, and certainly remembering Tpr. Charbonier is appropriate as he was assigned to the Norwell barracks. The green signifies our Armed Services and certainly scouts fall under that (such as Eagle Scout Brendan MacDonald). I would also want us to recognize Phil Joseph this year as he was many of the above: Phil was an auxiliary policeman and paramedic as well as a Marine, and he served in the US Navy. He was also a fixture in town and well known for his generosity”.
|
In 2013 we added a pink light, to remember a perfect little angel, and the efforts that family and friends put into making her final days special. This year, as the Fathers worked on the Common, we watched our children decorate their own young tree (the smallest in our Town Common) and we have moved the stars from atop the larger trees, to a home in this growing, young tree.
Philip Joseph (2014)Phil passed away Friday, September 27th in his home, at the age of 81 years young. Surrounded by loved ones, he succumbed after a battle with cancer. Phil was born in Norwell on September 16, 1932, a beloved husband for 55 years and is survived by his five daughters. A lifetime resident of Norwell, Phil was the co-owner of Josephs Garage, a family business started in 1928. He will be remembered by many for his smile and wave from the pumps.
|
Phil drove the bus for town sponsored activities and athletics. Phil served the town of Norwell for many years on various elected and appointed boards, including the Planning Board and the Groundwater Study Committee. He also served the town as an auxiliary policeman and paramedic. Phil was affectionately known as the unofficial mayor of Norwell and was citizen of the year in 1990. Phil was a veteran of the Korean Conflict; serving in both the Navy and Marines.
|
Firefighter James A. Ellis (1996) The original colored light was placed on the Boston Common in 1996, in remembrance of Fire Fighter Ellis. He was the only Boston firefighter to die in the line of duty that year and passed in Boston Medical Center from injuries sustained in a fall during the Dudley Square firehouse on Saturday, December 21st, 1996. He was 43. A Boston native and veteran of the Marine Corps, James was a Boston firefighter for 19 years.
|
Trooper Mark Charbonnier (1994)On September 2nd, 1994, Trooper Charbonnier was shot and killed as he approached a van he had stopped on the side of Route 3 near Kingston, Massachusetts. The suspect opened fire while still seated in the van.
As Trooper Charbonnier retreated to the back of the van, the suspect continued to fire, striking Trooper Charbonnier below his vest. Trooper Charbonnier was able to return fire and wounded the suspect in the arm and head. Trooper Charbonnier was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds a short time later. The suspect was a convicted killer on parole. The man was convicted of Trooper Charbonnier's murder and sentenced to life without parole. |
Calle Cronk (2013)Each year, 200 children are diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a rare, inoperable, cancerous brain tumor. DIPG is an aggressive and difficult to treat tumor that typically strikes kids between the ages of five and nine. This pink star shines to remind us all of a loving and caring young soul that is deeply missed. Calle touched the hearts of our entire Community, and we recognize the impact that one family made to the progression of research for DIPG.
|
Eagle Scout Brendan T. MacDonaldBrendan cleared the ground and constructed a toddler play area at Gaffield Park, River Street, for his Eagle Scout project, in July of 2000. Recently, as part of their Citizen Achievement, Webelos from Norwell’s Cub Scout Pack 66 cleaned Gaffield Park, and continued the tradition of our Community laughing and enjoying this beautiful spot.
Sadly, Brendan MacDonald died in 2003 and we remember him with the green light on our display. |
|
"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Mother Teresa |
