BURRILLVILLE – The building that serves as a home to Berard Desjarlais American Legion Post 88 will be dubbed the, “George and Nancy F. Binns Building,” expanding an honor conferred decades ago to one prominent Burrillville resident to also acknowledge the contributions of another noted member of the family, who died earlier this year.
Post 88 Commander and Town Councilor Raymond Trinque brought the idea to rename the structure at 111 Chapel St. before his fellow board members in September.
“The original purpose of the ‘Binns building’ name was to honor the memory of George Binns and it was very well deserved,” noted a letter from Trinque on the proposed change.
George’s daughter, Nancy Binns, a Pascoag resident whose dedication to public service spanned several decades, died in July at the age of 75.
“By changing the name of the ‘Binns Building’ to the ‘George and Nancy Binns Building,’ Burrillville will be honoring two great people who made a significant contribution to this town and that legacy will continue on for generations to come,” Trinque noted.
Nancy Binns was an active member of the Berean Baptist Church for some 30 years, and a member of the Burrillville Town Council for 12, serving as president of the board for eight.
She took a lead role in several major town initiatives during her time on the council, driving forward upgrades to the Burrillville Police station; the Jesse Smith Library construction project; renovations to the Levy Rink, the school administration building and Spring Lake Beach facilities; the lighting at Hauser Field; and creation of Hero Park and the Burrillville Weekend Snack Pack program, to name a few.
“She was a leader in the development of Stillwater Heights, the Clocktower building, Commerce Park, Clear River Park, Crystal Lake Golf Course, and many other improvements to the town of Burrillville,” noted Trinque.
In 2017, Binns was named a Partner in Faith by the Rhode Island Council of Churches, and in 2019, she received Post 88’s highest civilian honor, the Blanchard Mccutchen Award. Binns was also one of two recipients of the Burrillville Police Department’s Lees Award for 2020, and at the time, Col. Stephen Lynch noted that she also served for 15 years with the Burrillville Ambulance Corps., with a career that included delivering a baby on the side of a road.
It is not the first time the father and daughter will share an honor. Nancy received the Burrillville Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award in 1980, which she shared with George.
“Nancy Binns was not only a life-long devoted member of this community, she was a person of the highest character and integrity,” Trinque noted. “Nancy dedicated her life to helping others.”
Town councilors unanimously approved the initiative to rename the building, and Trinque said planning of a formal dedication is now underway. He said the post also will put a remembrance honoring both late members of the Binns family in Post 88’s community room.
