Morristown’s Gramby Day tradition starts anew, in George Gramby Memorial Park

The Gramby family with Mayor Tim Dougherty at dedication of George Gramby Park. Photo courtesy of Mary Dougherty
The Gramby family with Mayor Tim Dougherty at dedication of George Gramby Park. Photo courtesy of Mary Dougherty
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They’ve been celebrating George Gramby Day in Morristown for 22 years.  But Saturday’s festivities were extra special.

Sign is unveiled for George Gramby Memorial Park. Photo courtesy of Mary Dougherty
Sign is unveiled for George Gramby Memorial Park. Photo courtesy of Mary Dougherty

For the first time, they were held in George Gramby Memorial Park.

The Abbett Avenue Park was renamed for the late substance abuse counselor, who died from AIDS in 1992.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty, who sponsored the name change, was on hand for the sign unveiling along with Council President Rebecca Feldman and Councilwoman Toshiba Foster.

Our thanks to Morristown First Lady Mary Dougherty for these photos.

Toshiba also received a humanitarian award on behalf of Our Youth Their Future,  the nonprofit she co-founded, from the George Gramby Observance Committee. Cornerstone Family Programs, the new parent organization of the Morristown Neighborhood House,  similarly was honored for its work in the community.

“Many people continue his cause of helping others, and trying to make lives better. His legacy continues,” the Mayor said of Gramby, at last month’s council meeting.

Saturday’s big turnout included George Gramby’s mother and other members of the Gramby family. There were pony rides and mimes, spiritual dancers and games. Nicole Williams, daughter of Bethel AME Pastor Sidney Williams, sang.

George Gramby was in recovery from substance abuse when he started a referral program called Beginnings, which the town funded until 2006.

“When he was sick, all he said was that he wanted to help save people’s lives,” his sister Dawn told Morristown Green last year. “He showed me what courage was about.”

The Gramby family with Mayor Tim Dougherty at dedication of George Gramby Park. Photo courtesy of Mary Dougherty
The Gramby family with Mayor Tim Dougherty at dedication of George Gramby Park. Photo courtesy of Mary Dougherty

 

1 COMMENT

  1. My father and grandfather are Grambys and this will be my first year attending the celebration of George Gramby

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