Peabody To Dedicate Elementary School Bench In Memory Of Jason Bernard

PEABODY, MA — The memory of an eighth-grade student whose family said he committed suicide last spring after suffering from persistent bullying will be celebrated with the dedication of a bench at Brown Elementary School where Jason Bernard was a student.

Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt said the public is invited to the dedication ceremony that will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m.

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"Jason's warmth and kindness were felt by everyone who knew him, and his spirit touched so many lives in our schools and neighborhoods," said Peabody Mayor Bettencourt. "This bench will stand as a symbol of the joy and compassion he brought us, offering a place of reflection and remembrance for all."

Bettencourt, along with other local officials, will join Bernard’s family for this special gathering.

The event is open to all "who wish to pay their respects and celebrate the legacy of a remarkable young individual."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)