Dempsey, Galloway to Be Honored at May 12 YMCA Legacy Gala

Former state Rep. Brian S. Dempsey told listeners five years ago that some doubted WHAV could find a new home on FM. (WHAV News photograph.)

Former state Rep. Brian S. Dempsey (speaking at a WHAV event) is among those honored by the YMCA at this year’s Legacy Gala. (WHAV News file photograph)

Haverhill’s YMCA is preparing to celebrate former state Rep. Brian S. Dempsey and Atkinson, N.H. resident Kay Galloway at the organization’s annual Legacy Gala, held this year on Saturday, May 12 at the Bradford Country Club.

Dinner and dancing accompanies the recognition ceremony starting at 5 p.m. Tickets for the reception held at 201 Chadwick Road are $100 per person or $900 per table. YMCA Regional Executive Director Tracy Fuller tells WHAV the money raised will go to support summer camp efforts locally. “Every child in Haverhill deserves a great summer,” she said. “Come support the Y and help us provide every child an opportunity to make memories to last a lifetime.”

Revered city legislator Dempsey chaired the House Ways and Means Committee following his stint on Haverhill’s City Council (1988-1991), serving as both vice president and president.

First elected to represent the City of Haverhill at the Statehouse in 1991, Dempsey has been credited with bringing tens of millions of dollars to Haverhill in state aid ranging from annual payments on the former Hale Hospital debt and MassWorks grants to help create Harbor Place and revitalize downtown Haverhill. He left the Statehouse to become senior vice president and chief operating officer at consulting firm ML Strategies.

Dempsey was succeeded on Beacon Hill by former Haverhill city councilor Andy Vargas, who won a state representative seat in November 2017 following a special election.

A longtime member of several Atkinson-based civic groups, Galloway taught in Ipswich and Beverly and worked for the CIA before joining the Department of Defense’s education sector.

Among the many civic group board roles Galloway holds are president of the Friends of the Kimball Library, past president of the Atkinson Garden Club, chair of the Atkinson Congregational Church Stewardship Committee, and secretary of the Atkinson Historical Society.

Tickets for the gala may be purchased by emailing Tracy at [email protected]