The Kingston Business Association (KBA), a non-profit organization which supports Kingston and Kingston businesses, will dedicate the lighting of this year’s Christmas tree in front of Solstice Restaurant in memory and honor of Phil Burnham.
The ceremony is one of the traditions associated with the town’s Luminary Celebration, and the tree dedication will take place Saturday, December 18, at 3: 30 p.m.
Five years ago, Barry and Lydia Mathias donated the Christmas tree in memory of their son Jeffrey; that first year, the KBA dedicated the tree lighting in memory of Jeffrey. In subsequent years, other Kingstonians honored included Police Chief Joseph Rebello, longtime pharmacist and Health Board member Paul Tura, and coach Richard Arieta. And last year, the KBA honored one of its own: George Boerger, an attorney and an active member of the Board of Directors of the Kingston Business Association who succumbed to his battle with cancer.
This year, the KBA will honor the memory of Philip Burnham.
Phil Burnham was a businessman and a well-known and respected member of the community. He was a 1953 graduate of Kingston High School, and a 1956 graduate of the Franklin Institute of Technology. He was best known for his business, Wright’s Greenhouses, which he operated in the center of town for 43 years. Phil was an active member of the Hilltop Athletic Association, the Jones River Village Historical Society, a committee member of the First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist of Kingston, and the Cornerstone Masonic Lodge of Duxbury. Phil was also a member of the Kingston Call Fire Department.
“Our community is enriched by all that Phil did and the KBA is honored to dedicate the tree this year in his memory,” said Donna Smith-Bocash, president of the Kingston Business Association. She said, “We hope that a number of our community members will come out to join us for this tree-lighting ceremony.” She added, “Parents should bring their children too; as we understand that Santa may make a guest appearance at the festivities as well!”
She added, “And this ceremony is bittersweet for us as we remember the lives of so many people who have made Kingston a better place because of their contributions.”
The Kingston Business Association is a non-profit organization founded in 2015, with a purpose of helping support Kingston and Kingston businesses, as well as state legislation and governmental policies which promote new businesses in Kingston. With a membership of 100 and growing, the KBA is seeking additional businesses to join. For additional information, please contact dbocashkba@gmail.com.
