PEABODY — Lawrence O'Keefe, the former city solicitor, will receive the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce's Harry Ankeles Community Service Award.
"It's a nice honor to be recognized in recognition of Harry Ankeles, who was a dedicated citizen to the city of Peabody," O'Keefe said.
The lawyer was nominated by Jackie Torigian, wife of the late Mayor Peter Torigian.
"A man of highest integrity and character, Larry is also a warm and caring person who is sensitive and responsive to the needs of others. He is extremely conscientious and diligent and works hard on behalf of the organizations for whom he serves," Jackie Torigian wrote in her nomination.
A lifelong resident, O'Keefe served as city solicitor from 1997 to 2007. He has been on the boards of nonprofits like Making a Difference in Peabody Foundation and the Peter A. Torigian International Festival Scholarship Fund, according to a chamber press release.
Over the years, he has volunteered with Special Olympics. The attorney said he was recently named to the North Shore advisory board for the state's Department of Mental Retardation.
O'Keefe joins a who's who of recipients, including Christian Book Distributors' Stephen Hendrickson; Councilor-at-large and businessman David Gravel; and Library Director Martha Holden and her husband, Chuck Holden, a businessman and license board member.
"That's good company to be with," he said. "No question about it."
The chamber will honor O'Keefe at its annual dinner Nov. 4 at Jimmy's Allenhurst Restaurant in Danvers. Tickets are $50 per person.
For more information, call the chamber at 978-531-0384.
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