Lieser named Volunteer of the Year
The YMCA of the North Shore named George Lieser of Rockport as its Volunteer of the Year. Each year the YMCA chooses one person who exemplifies the mission of the YMCA through their work with the organization.
Lieser has served on the Cape Ann board since 1989, the Beverly Regional YMCA board from 1995 to 1999, and the North Shore YMCA board since its inception in 1999. He was also president of the Cape Ann YMCA board from 1997 to 2000 and has been an officer and served on the executive committee of the North Shore YMCA since 2002.
"He has always understood the needs in our communities, always knowing that his actions and his energy could and would make a huge difference for deserving kids and families," said Beth Francis, chief development officer for the YMCA of the North Shore, in a statement. "His passionate efforts inspire all of us, and his commitment to the Y is evident in our fundraising efforts, which allow the Y to have a greater community impact."
More than five years ago Lieser embarked on a quest to build a teen center in his hometown of Rockport. Almost singlehandedly he convinced town government to get involved monetarily, navigated a complicated site selection process and spearheaded a $420,000 fundraising campaign. He oversaw the construction of the center and was integrally involved in the opening and launch of the successful teen and youth center.
"George is a person who, year in and year out, has worked tirelessly for his Y and his community. Someone, who through his extraordinary effort and dedication, has left this small corner of the world a better more hopeful place," fellow board member David McKechnie of Gloucester said in a statement. "Today the Ben Beyea Teen Center stands as a testimony to his commitment, drive, talent and heart.
Seafood Depot reopens
Lifelong Gloucester resident Sam Parisi recently reopened his seafood business, Gloucester Seafood Depot Inc.
Located at 110R Commercial St. in Gloucester, the seafood depot offers fresh seafood, haddock, flounder, salmon, scallops, live lobsters and crabs, shrimp and steamers, at wholesale prices.
Hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 978-281-1600 for more information.
Costello buys lumberyard
The owners of Timberline Enterprises Inc., Michael Patil and Robert Xavier, recently announced that they have reached an agreement to sell their Gloucester lumberyard and hardware store to Christopher Costello, who will continue to operate the business as president after the transfer this month.
The company was founded in Gloucester in 1979 and moved to its Pond Road location in 1986. It has been serving Cape Ann contractors and homeowners since that time, and will continue to focus on the construction industry and contractor trade in the future.
Costello, who had been employed by the Building Center of Gloucester for the past 14 years, held many positions in the company, rising from lumberyard worker to vice president of sales. He graduated from St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers and attended Boston College and Wentworth Institute of Technology.
A licensed construction superintendent for the past 12 years, Costello is a past president of the Manchester-Essex Rotary Club, a past Grand Knight of the Gloucester Knights of Columbus, a co-chairman of Cape Ann Habitat for Humanity's Building Committee and a former Gloucester Little League coach.
Costello lives in Rowley with his wife, Carmen, and their three children.
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