New Bedford Sea Lab to Be Dedicated to Former Mayor

NEW BEDFORD — A New Bedford school building will be named after the late former city mayor Frederick Kalisz, Jr., according to a Wednesday announcement from the New Bedford public schools.

The Sea Lab Marine Science Education Center next to the Taylor Elementary School on Portland Street is set to be named in Kalisz's honor in a ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 12:30 p.m.

Kalisz served as mayor of New Bedford for eight years starting in 1998, and oversaw the construction of the Sea Lab building in 2005.

He focused on education after he was defeated in the 2006 mayoral election by Scott Lang, eventually becoming county Register of Deeds.

In January 2021, the former mayor passed away due to COVID-19 complications.

According to the school district's announcement, Kalisz died at St. Luke's Hospital just three weeks before the COVID vaccine would have become available.

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A plaque and exterior sign will be unveiled on Saturday to designate the building as the Dr. Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr. Sea Lab Marine Science Education Center.

The honor comes nearly a year after the School Committee voted last September to name the building for Dr. Kalisz following a unanimous vote in March from the city council's Committee on Memorials and Dedications.

Saturday's ceremony takes place on what would have been Mayor Kalisz’s 65th birthday, according to the release.

Members of the public are invited to attend the unveiling ceremony and tour the Sea Lab summer student exhibits afterwards.

Refreshments will be served.

Free parking is available at the East Beach Parking Lot with free Tremblay's shuttle service to Sea Lab.

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Filed Under: frederick kalisz, New Bedford, New Bedford Mayor, New Bedford Public Schools, Sea Lab

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