The family of the late Brad and Lauren Proctor remove the veil uncovering one of two new benches in Bergman Park dedicated to their memory. Submitted photo

Two new benches were dedicated at Bergman Park in remembrance of a longtime city parks worker and his daughter.

The family of the late Brad and Lauren Proctor unveiled the new benches dedicated in their memory. Brad Proctor died at the age of 59 on July 10, 2018, at UPMC Chautauqua. Lauren Proctor died at the age of 24 on March 7, 2019, at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa., following a brief illness.

Brad Proctor worked for the city Parks Department for 17 plus years. He was the groundskeeper at Bergman Park throughout the summer season.

Lauren Proctor was a 2012 graduate of Jamestown High School and earned her associate’s degree in broadcasting from Jamestown Community College and her bachelor’s degree in communications from the State University of New York at Oswego. She was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church. She was currently employed as the Educational Coordinator for the CAAP Program at the Jamestown YWCA and had previously worked as a substitute teacher for the Jamestown Public Schools.

Carm Proctor, Brad’s wife and Lauren’s mother, was at the dedication with her family and friends. City officials and Parks Department employees were also at the memorial.

A memorial fund was established at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to raise money for the benches in memory of Brad and Lauren Proctor. Groups that worked to raise funds for the benches included the Jamestown Public Schools, Jefferson Middle School, Persell Middle School, Jamestown Educational Support Personnel Association, Jamestown City Administration Association AFSCME Local 418, YWCA of Jamestown and Miscellaneous Community Donations.

“A majority of the fundraising efforts, spearheaded by city arborist Dan Stone, came from co-workers in the Parks Department (and Public Works Department), (and) Jefferson and Persell (middle schools). Close to $3,000 was raised. There were more than 100 family, friends and co-workers in attendance,” said Matt Hanley, executive assistant to the mayor.

Hanley said the benches were supplied by Denzak Recreational Design & Supply Inc. and the plaques were designed by Jamestown Bronze Work Inc. The city Parks Department staff installed the benches while the Public Works Department supplied the concrete.

One plaque states “In Memory of Brad Proctor 4/3/59 – 7/10/18 Groundskeeper Here At Bergman Park.” The other states “In Loving Memory of Lauren Proctor 3/18/1994 – 3/7/2019 Brad’s ‘Favorite Daughter.'”