L. Murray & Dorothy J. Young Fund

Both Murray and Dot were life-long residents of Wakefield and both graduated from the Wakefield High School Class of 1952. Murray was a graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology and was employed rating fire insurance policies for cities and towns throughout New England. Murray was a volunteer fireman in Wakefield and a serious collector of antique fire memorabilia. In addition, he was a meticulous historian and created model replicas of many area fire stations and fire trucks complete with the exact equipment each truck carried. He became the Wakefield Fire Department Historian and authored the book Iron Men and Their Iron Machines. His models of fire engines owned and operated by the Wakefield Fire Department, as well as antique collectibles, were donated to and are on display at the Wakefield Fire Station.

Dot was a local homemaker and mother to six daughters. She was an incredibly caring and compassionate person who was always there to help others in need. She collected dear friends throughout her life. She was an exemplary gardener creating an oasis of beauty and color in her backyard, which served as a sanctuary for visitors from spring through autumn. Her creativity and eye for natural beauty reached beyond her gardens in her business, Creative Touches by Dorothy. Dot used pressed flowers, both from her gardens and collected from any nook and cranny she visited, to create gorgeous lamp shades, mirrors, wall decorations, and even framed wedding invitations.