LYNN – The Society of St. Vincent de Paul opened its newly renovated Market Square store Wednesday in honor of the late John J. O’Malley, a Lynn resident who Greater Lynn District President James Gorman said “epitomized what being a Vincentian is all about.”O’Malley’s name is painted in blue letters on one of the walls inside the store, where used clothing and household goods are sold as part of the society’s mission, as Gorman put it, to “provide person to person service to all those in need.”The society spent $200,000 renovating ground-floor space in two buildings where the store is located, and installed new electrical wiring and a bright new blue tile floor. The work began in January and finished in March.”The store was getting a little weather beaten,” Gorman said.Blue and white balloons floated above racks stuffed with clothing as Gorman and three dozen other people officially reopened the store and honored O’Malley’s legacy. O’Malley’s involvement in the society extended beyond the Market Square store to the Sacred Heart food pantry and a summer food program.He mentored society members like Gorman, who recalled O’Malley reminding him: “Jim, there are people on your street who are hurting and you don’t even know it.”The society is an international Catholic charitable organization founded in 1833 and active, Gorman said, in 144 countries.”The society’s role is to seek out people and see how we can help them,” Gorman said.The Lynn store has operated at one end of Lynn Common for more than 30 years with four employees as well as volunteers.Tim O’Malley attended Wednesday’s dedication ceremony in his father’s name with other invited guests, including state Rep. Robert Fennell and Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. John O’Malley died last November and his son said O’Malley would have shied away from the attention focused on him during the reopening.”He would have been a little embarrassed,” Tim O’Malley said.Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
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