Remembered as a mentor and friend to faculty and students, the late Chester "Chet" Hawrylciw will be honored this weekend when Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill renames their newly restored theater for him.
A longtime Newburyport resident and City Council member from 1987 to 1996, Hawrylciw was an associate dean of humanities and social sciences at NECC and a supporter of the arts.
Since his death at the age of 58 in 2002 after 32 years at NECC, faculty members have been planning to honor him.
Though originally the school had hoped to name a new theater after him, delays in building make the future of that theater uncertain. Deciding that now was the time, the school will rename the Top Notch Theater, located on the third floor of the Spurk Building, as the Chester H. Hawrylciw Theater.
Donations from Hawrylciw's family and friends helped in renovating the theater.
"When they said there was no funding, he would find it," said his son, Sean Hawrylciw, of Amesbury. "This all stems from him never hearing the word no."
More than 100 individuals as well as the college's foundation donated to the renovation, which includes newly upholstered and refinished seats; technical improvements, such as a new lighting grid and communication system; and a renovated lobby, featuring framed posters from college productions dating back to 1970.
"We said now is the time, we have to name the theater after him before everyone is gone," said Susan Sanders, coordinator of theater arts and 25-year veteran at NECC. "We still miss him. The timing is right to honor Chet."
On Sunday at 6 p.m., NECC will hold a reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a performance of "Tartuffe" by the college's Top Notch Players.
"This has been a long time coming," Sean Hawrylciw said. "We are very pleased and excited to see this come to fruition. This is a project that originated when he was alive. He has left quite a legacy."
For Sanders, the memories of Hawrylciw are still vivid.
"He was my mentor," Sanders said of her start in the late 1970s as a part-time professor teaching English and public speaking. "He was very fair, honest to the point of bluntness, but always with your best intentions in mind. He was great fun."
Remembering long discussions with Hawrylciw with other faculty members outside his office and even a time Hawrylciw played a staring role in NECC's annual production of "A Christmas Carol," Sanders said people still think fondly on the well-loved dean.
"He was instrumental in our fight for a new theater with better performance space," Sanders said. "We started raising money for a new theater before anyone else with production of 'A Christmas Carol.'"
Sean Hawrylciw said memories of his father acting in the play are still talked about each Christmas.
"Northern Essex was a big part of our family," Sean Hawrylciw said. "My mother went there. I went there and worked there. My wife worked there. His first grandson walked through those halls."
While Hawrylciw's legacy still lives on through scholarships given out each year, his son said theater played a big part in his life.
"He was a great supporter," he said, noting his father also supported other causes, such as the basketball program. "Theater, plays, sporting events, dance productions ¬— he made it a point to go to every single one."
IF YOU GO
What: Opening of the Chester W. Hawrylciw Theater at Northern Essex Community College
When: Sunday, 6 p.m.
Where: Spurk Building, third floor, 100 Elliott St., Haverhill
How: Call 978-556-3862 or e-mail egreenslade@necc.mass.edu.
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