HANSON — There may only be two bridges in town, but as the song says, they’ve got a name.
One of those names, Mary “Gret” Lozeau was honored at noon on Monday, July 26 as a salute to her life of gratitude and connection to others.
After working to name a bridge connecting Hanson and Hanover after the late state Rep. Charles Mann, who had also served as Hanson’s Town moderator, state Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Pembroke, worked with state Sen. Mike Brady, D-Brockton to name the small bridge over the Shumatuscacant River on West Washington Street after Gret Lozeau.
Gerard Lozeau offered a reading of his late wife’s favorite gratitude prayer during the event as her extended family and friends in the community joined the legislators for a brief dedication ceremony. A reception followed at the Old Hitching Post.
“I am reminded always that the most important things are without a price — health, happiness and relationships,” he read. “With this attitude, every day becomes a day of Thanksgiving.”
The prayer pointed to gratitude as one of life’s greatest gifts that is free for the choosing. He said his wife not only advised kindness to those who need it, but she modeled it in her daily life.
“A bridge brings people together, Gret was someone who brought people together,” Cutler said in opening the dedication during which her grandchildren helped her husband, and her children unveil the new signs.
Lozeau thanked Cutler and his staff as well as Brady for their efforts.
“It was a pleasant surprise and an honor that would greatly please Gret,” he said. “Tonight, all she would be talking about would be the people involved, who participated prior to today, doing the ceremony and the reception.”
He said that Gret would have touched base personally with everyone involved — one of her most endearing qualities.
“We know how much Gret meant to all of you,” Cutler said as the midday traffic on the roadway picked up. “She was one of the first people I met in Hanson. She was such a welcoming person and had done so much for the community over the years.”
Brady also addressed the gathering as he and Cutler presented the official parchment declaring the bridge name to her family.
“I’m grateful to be here,” Brady said. “I know Gret meant a lot to this community and it’s great to see the turnout and for the family, as well.”
He noted that the past year and a half have been difficult for many families, including his own. Brady’s brother, who had been diagnosed with COVID, had passed away from a heart attack last year.
“A lot of families have gone through a tough time,” Brady said. We’re still not out of it … I’m just happy that we can gather here publically with all our good friends and family members,”
Lozeau also noted that one of Gret’s college classmates had written to him that, after the death of a beloved spouse, one’s viewpoint of the future evolves — often with unfamiliar signposts.
“After today, I will be able to respond to her that at least one signpost in Hanson is a very familiar one, and it’s helping me to find my place, wherever that is,” he said.