Alfred J. Lima was, and forever will be, a Fall River preservation icon.

With news of his passing, we as a city must reconcile with heavy hearts the loss Fall River has suffered. However, it is with Al’s trademark modest optimism that we look toward the city’s future thanks to all he accomplished in his life.

From the first effort to save the historic Central Congregation Church from demolition to the planning and creation of the Quequechan River Rail Trail that would bear his name, Al’s fingerprints are on dozens of important projects throughout Fall River.

Al helped set the foundation for preservation efforts in the city, helping found the original Preservation Society in the 1980s and tirelessly advocating to help Fall River adopt the Community Preservation Act in 2012 – the first Gateway City in Massachusetts to do so.

Fall River has not been a friend to historic preservation in recent decades. There were many times when Al had to battle with wealthy businessmen and ambivalent politicians in his mission to better the community. But regardless of the challenge, Al always stuck with his professional training as a city planner and a devotion to Fall River to create a beautiful vision for the city.

Rest in peace, Al. You will be missed, but never forgotten.

Respectfully,

The Preservation Society of Fall River

Board of Directors