By Elizabeth Fabiani
Special to the Reporter

Lifelong Dorchester resident and community activist, the late Leo Lydon, will be commemorated this fall outside the Savin Hill T-station with the erection of a clock, a symbol that represents Lydon's "time spent with the youth of Savin Hill."

Despite having no children of his own, Lydon took great pride in the children and adolescents of the neighborhood by ensuring that they had the opportunity to participate in a number of athletic activities. Lydon also coached various sports teams in addition to serving as a Eucharist Minister at the former St. William's Church.

"He was one of those rare people that nobody had anything bad to say about them," said state Rep. Martin Walsh. "He was respected and loved by all."

Lydon attended St. William's Grammar School in Dorchester and later attended Suffolk Law School where he received his law degree. After working for several years as an Attorney in the uvenile court system, Lydon was appointed to the bench in 1999. He was promoted from his position on the bench and became an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Trial Court just before his abrupt death in November 2000 On his way to work at the Norfolk County Juvenile Court House, Lydon's car hydroplaned on slick pavement and hit a tree, killing him instantly. Lydon's death stunned his family, co-workers and friends. In the wake of the tragedy, Dorchester residents and friends expressed interest in building a clock in Lydon's honor at the Savin Hill T-station, which underwent a complete reconstruction three years ago. They created the Friends of Leo Lydon committee to raise funds to buy the clock.

"Representative Martin Walsh has actively helped our efforts," said Friends of Leo Lydon Chairwoman, Anne Riley. "The MBTA has also cooperated and will run the electricity for the clock," said Deirdre Habershaw, president of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association.

The Friends of Leo Lydon's largest fundraiser, the Buy-A-Brick initiative, allows anyone to purchase and personally engrave a brick that will be incorporated into the façade and base of the commemorative clock. The cost of each brick is $125 and may bear the inscription of any dedicatory event, such as a birth or death, or any other special message.

According to Riley, 40 bricks have already been sold and the committee hopes to sell 60 more in an effort to raise $12,000 from the Buy-A-Brick fundraiser. In total, the clock costs $25,000-$30,000 and cannot be ordered until this amount is raised.

As a second method of fundraising, the Friends of Leo Lydon committee is putting together a Savin Hill Celebration of Friendship Dance and Fundraiser for March 24. All proceeds will be used towards the purchase of the four-sided Howard Post Clock in Lydon's honor.

"We want to stress that this event isn't just for people that knew Leo," said Habershaw. "We're hoping that it will be an opportunity for all neighbors within the community to come together."

The event will include both a silent and live auction, as well as a raffle with Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins tickets. Local businesses have also been encouraged to donate food in an effort to create a "taste of Dorchester" where guests will have the opportunity to sample a variety of the ethnic and flavorful foods that Dorchester has to offer.

"Lydon was a very active member of St. William's Church," said Habershaw. "After the church closed, lots of people lost touch. This fundraiser will be a great chance for people to reconnect."

The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 24 at Boston College High School. Tickets cost $25 per person and all are encouraged to attend.

For more information visit friendsofleolydon.com or e-mail: info@friendsofleolydon.com.