A blind Haverhill man who lost his life savings is hoping a fundraiser in his honor will help him pay his bills.
Brian Langlois appeared on the Open Mike Show last night. He estimates he lost $30,000 in cash and bonds when a safe was taken from his home. Friends will have a fundraiser for him from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 21, at Crescent Yacht Club. Admission is $10.
“There are raffles there, you can win some things, and perhaps there will be some donations by businesses,” Langlois said. He said he discovered his home safe missing on his Oct. 14 birthday after a friend urged him to check.
“I said, ‘alright it’s there, I’m sure it’s there,’ but I figured that night I’m going to humor the guy and I’ll check. And, lo and behold, the safe was not there and it had all of my life savings in it,” Langlois said.
Langlois’ wife of 37 years passed away in August. She was also blind and suffered from multiple sclerosis. Earlier last year, Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini ordered Langlois’ boyhood home at 36 School Street demolished even though the property was in the midst of being sold. As a result of the city’s listing, he said at the time, the original sale fell through. He ultimately found a buyer, but the home was still demolished.
Businesses and individuals may donate raffle items by calling organizer Lisa Corr at (978) 360-3446 or WHAV at (978) 374-2111, Ext. 111.
Besides the March 21 fundraiser, donations may be made to the “Brian Langlois Relief Fund” at Haverhill Bank, 180 Merrimack Street, P.O. Box 1656, Haverhill, MA 01831-2356.