NAHANT — Francis Beirne Lovely Jr., who died in June 2020, has been posthumously awarded with the Brian A. Brooks Distinguished Service to Veterans Award.
The New England Center and Home for Veterans named Lovely, a Nahant native and graduate of Lynn Classical High School, for this award to celebrate his time as a board member, and for the work he had done for the community. His wife, Joan, received the award at the 19th annual Leave No One Behind Gala in Boston.
President and CEO C. Andrew McCawley said that Lovely was a vital member of the board, providing care and support to veterans throughout New England.
“Throughout his tenure on the board, Beirne’s commitment to the Center and to veterans was palpable,” said McCawley. “He gave freely and often of his time and energy, his connections in the community, and his keen intellect to help guide and steward the Center.”
Lovely served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantry officer during the Vietnam War. He fought in the battle of Khe Sanh during the Tet Offensive and was honored with a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars.
After his service, he graduated cum laude from Boston University in 1975 and went into law at Herrick Smith, followed by Goodwin Procter. At Goodwin, he founded the Children’s Fund, where he collected money, clothes and toys for homeless children. In 2011, Lovely joined the New England Center and Home for Veterans. He was named vice chair in 2016 and eventually chair of the board in 2018.
The New England Center and Home for Veterans is a multinational service and care provider for veterans that offers programs such as independent living and employment. More information can be found at http://www.nechv.org.
