DANVERS — It was a family affair for David Solimine Sr., founder and director of Solimine Funeral Homes, on Thursday night at Danversport, where he was honored with Boston North Cancer Association’s eighth annual Hope Begins Here award.
The award was presented to Solimine, a lifelong resident of Lynn, during the Hope Begins Here reception following introductory speeches from his best friend, Nick Meninno; son, David Solimine Jr.; and grandson, Joel Solimine, who all spoke about the impact he’s had on their own lives.
The Hope Begins Here award is presented to an outstanding leader and advocate for cancer prevention, treatment and care on the North Shore.
The Boston North Cancer Association (BNCA) describes its mission as funding and supporting special projects for the prevention, research, education and care of cancer.
Solimine, 82, has been on the BNCA board for more than 30 years, including three terms as president. Organizers said the award recognizes Solimine’s service to BNCA, his charitable endeavors and his commitment to the care of residents throughout Boston North communities.
He said previously he was honored to receive the award, which has been given to a number of doctors over the years. Solimine joked on Thursday night that the BNCA board members have given the award to all these famous doctors and they said “we’ve got to give it to somebody, so here you go.”
Solimine got choked up as he honored Mary Barbuzzi, a beloved member of the BNCA board for more than 10 years who died this spring from cancer.
Joel said he wanted to also recognize his grandmother, Mary Jane. His grandparents, David and Mary Jane Solimine, are perfect examples of putting themselves before others.
Growing up, Joel said his grandfather would always make time for his grandchildren — if something was broken, he’d find some complicated way to make a contraption to fix it.
“There’s not a more selfless person I know than my grandfather,” Joel said.
Solimine established Solimine Funeral Homes in 1965 — his son eventually took over the reins and then his grandson, Joel, did. He is still working every day but Joel is now his boss.
Solimine joked in his speech that he tells each of his grandchildren they’re his favorite grandchild, but his youngest grandchild told him that Joel must be his favorite because he signs his checks.
Solimine and his wife are both cancer survivors, which he said puts them in the category of people needing help. She had a mastectomy in 2003 and went through other treatment, including chemotherapy. He had a prostatectomy in 2006 — surgery took care of the cancer and he didn’t have to do further treatment.
He said they’re both cancer-free, thanks to the doctors who took care of them.
In addition to his work with the BNCA, Solimine said he gives to worthwhile projects in the area. He also helps with Catholic Charities, My Brother’s Table, Knights of Malta and Item Santa.
Meninno met Solimine in junior high school and they’ve remained friends for 70 years. Solimine was best man at his wedding and he was best man at Solimine’s.
Meninno said Solimine finishes and does a good job with anything he tackles. He said Solimine volunteers and then he volunteers other people with him. He said his friend is out on the street with Item Santa — he doesn’t know where Solimine gets the energy.
“Dave has done one hell of a job with everything he tackles, but I’ll tell you right now, if it wasn’t for Mary Jane, it wouldn’t have happened,” Meninno said.
Solimine was also presented with a citation from the State Senate by state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), in recognition of the Hope Begins Here award and years of dedicated service to the North Shore community.
“Dave’s been such a great friend to me and my family for so many years,” Crighton said. “If there’s a charity out there he hasn’t helped with, I haven’t heard of it.”
The Hope Begins Here Reception is the signature fundraising event for to benefit BNCA. All proceeds from the event go back into the organization for its grants programs and its scholarship programs.
The organization was established in 1926 and became known as the Lynn Cancer Association in 1944. It was rebranded in 2011 as Boston North Cancer Association.
The $7,500 F. John Bargoot, MD, Memorial Scholarship, which is for a medical student who resided and completed high school on the North Shore and has an interest in cancer treatment and prevention, went to Molly Griffin, of Gloucester, UMass Medical School.
The $3,500 David J. Solimine Honorary Scholarship, awarded to a college-bound North Shore high school senior who is a cancer survivor or who is undergoing treatment for cancer, went to Dorothy Ezemba, Lynn English High School.
The $3,500 Hope Begins Here Scholarship, for a college-bound North Shore high school senior whose parent was diagnosed with cancer or who has died as a result of cancer, went to Meghan Craaybeek, Gloucester High School.
The $3,500 Mary Barbuzzi Memorial Scholarship went to Cameron Greenleaf, Lynn Classical High School.
The $1,000 Lightshed Photography Honorary Scholarship went to Meaghan Hathaway, Marblehead High School.
The $1,000 Rising Star Honorary Scholarship went to Steven Toomajian, of Nahant, Swampscott High School.
