Former Resident Leaves $2k to Historical Museum

The Franklin Historical Commission met Wednesday evening at the museum. Most of the meeting was composed of routine business and preparation for activities related to the Strawberry Stroll, including an exhibit on the history of the Franklin Lady Bugs. Chair Mary Olsson planned to repurpose a display case with material borrowed from the School Department in time for the Stroll and the unveiling of the Lady Bug Trail.

Also discussed were plans to celebrate the 150th
anniversary of the Fire Department with a talk and participation from members of the Fire Department on Sunday afternoon from about 1-2 pm.

An update was provided on the Digital Commonwealth scanning project. The vendor is aiming to complete scanning of Sentinel volumes through about 1951 by June 30 and will then prepare and estimate for scanning the remainder of the issues, through 1978.

Member Paul Pisani described his plan to create a mini-kiosk to help explain the contents of the Clara Foss Johnston room. The Commission agreed he should move ahead.

The surprise of the evening came under “other business” when Chair Mary Olsson shared the good news that a former Franklin resident, Emanuel George Bombolakis, had remembered the Historical Commission in his will. Olsson said she had been contacted by Suzanne Borozny of Blackstone, a friend of the deceased and executrix of his will. And a check for $2,000 from the estate followed.

Bombolakis, 97 , formerly of Franklin died November 28, 2021. He was the husband of the late Adeline M. (Dezzutti) Bombolakis. Born in Long Island City, New York, May 1,1927, the son of the late Nickolas M. and Lillian M. (Garrecht) Bombolakis, Mr. Bombolakis was raised in New York and had lived in Franklin for many years.

Emanuel volunteered for the Army in 1942, as a member of the 6th Armored Division he saw action in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, Central Europe and the Rhineland. He attained the rank of Corporal.

After World War II, he attended the Colorado School of Mines, obtaining degrees of Geological Engineering and as well as a Master’s Degree, worked as an exploration geologist in the oil industry, later earning a PH.D in Geology in 1963 from M.I. T.

He then became a Professor of Geology at Boston College for many years.