Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 11/27/2023
HOLYOKE — The late Marty Dunn is a cherished community figure and former Mayor of Holyoke. On Nov. 11 the Holyoke Bar Association hosted a special ceremony to unveil Dunn’s portrait and rename the newly renovated YMCA lobby as the Marty Dunn Welcome Center.
This event followed the successful annual golf tournament hosted by the HBA on Aug. 16, 2021, which raised $30,000 in Dunn’s memory. Dunn passed in September 2020 after a brief battle with cancer.
Dunn, known for his passion for community service and leadership, served as the mayor of Holyoke from 1987 to 1991 before his tenure as a Massachusetts state senator and his work as an attorney at Dunn & Wilson.
His dedication extended beyond politics, as demonstrated by his longstanding involvement with the Greater Holyoke YMCA and other charitable organizations.
Dunn’s wife of 34 years, Kathleen Destromp Dunn, unveiled a large photo that now hangs inside the lobby. Dunn is holding a basketball and sporting a wide grin. Pick-up basketball was a passion for the former mayor and respected attorney.
“Marty gained more than muscle at the YMCA. He gained friendships and skills and things that, hopefully, every generation going forward will continue,” Karen Dunn said. “It would be a different place if there were more YMCAs. We would be different without the Y.”
John McAndrews, the organization’s board president said, “The YMCA was a big part of Marty’s life. He was incredibly generous to the YMCA. Not just financially, but more importantly with his time and his talent, right.”
McAndrew said the lobby dedication and portrait unveiling was a fitting tribute to Dunn.
The golf tournament proceeds were earmarked for the Holyoke YMCA, a nod to Dunn’s commitment to the organization. Karen Betournay, vice president of the YMCA Board of Directors and a longtime friend and colleague of Dunn, spoke about his legacy:
“I’ve known Marty since we were 15, and he has always loved and cared about our community. His name was on lots of charities, and since he was little, he had been a member of the Y and has always wanted to give back.”
The unveiling of Dunn’s portrait and the renaming of the YMCA lobby as Marty Dunn’s Welcome Center marks a significant acknowledgment of his contributions to the Holyoke community.
The renovation, funded by the golf tournament, symbolizes the ongoing influence of Dunn’s legacy in the community he loved and served.
Kathy Viens, the organization’s CEO, emphasized the organization’s community service commitment, highlighting recent renovations including a new teen room and an updated Wellness Center.
Viens stressed the importance of community involvement and the YMCA’s role in promoting its impact. She also underscored the YMCA’s inclusivity, ensuring accessibility for all, regardless of income.
City Council President Todd McGee spoke of Dunn’s lifelong commitment and generosity. The Nov. 11 ceremony served as a reminder of the impact one person can have on a community.