The new Fanwood Memorial Library Foundation received its first donation this week in memory of a resident who lived across the street from the former library and spent hours there reading.
The family of Carlo Bravo, who died one year ago on May 24th, the day after his 56th birthday, donated $20 thousand to the nascent foundation. Gino Bravo, Carlo’s brother, presented the check to members of the Library Foundation, Friends of the Fanwood Library and the library Board of Trustees at the current temporary library location in the historic train station on North Avenue. The money, along with other funds to be raised by the foundation, will benefit the new library currently under construction at North Avenue and Tillotson Road. Pictured with Gino is his wife Michele and father Gabriele.
In presenting the check, Mr. Bravo cited his brother’s love of the library having spent countless hours reading and borrowing books about the Vietnam war. Carlo was a huge war history buff and volunteered his time at the veterans hospital in Lyons.
“We are so very grateful for this donation and to the Bravo family’s commitment to our new library,” said Dan Weiss, Library Director. “The library will be commemorating the Bravo family’s donation by naming its new business center the Carlo Bravo Business Center,”
The Bravos have lived across the street from the library for years, and Carlo Bravo was born and raised in Fanwood.
“The story of Carlo and the Bravo family is a true Fanwood story,” remarked Mayor Colleen Mahr. “I thank them for their generous donation and look forward to inaugurating the new library and business center in Carlo’s name.”
Also present at the event was Borough Council President Jeff Banks and Neil Schembre, secretary of the Fanwood Foundation, which has temporary custody of the donation until the library foundation’s charter is finalized.
Meanwhile, the first steel was erected at the site of the new Fanwood Memorial Library currently under construction at North Avenue and Tillotson Road. The new, two-story library building is expected to be finished by the spring of 2024. Good weather and efficient work by the trade crafts have seen good progress at the construction site.
