The lighthouse, which can be found across from Bryson’s Leo Piché park, was finished two years ago and stands as a tribute to the town’s deep historic relationship with the water.

Manzoli was one of the founders of Revitalization Bryson, a community group in the town dedicated to its beautification, and was instrumental in the push for the lighthouse’s construction.

When he died last year, the committee wanted to do something to honour his memory.
Jacqueline Ralston is a current member of Revitalization Bryson.

She said the lighthouse was his vision, and explained that the committee wanted to honour him for “his many years of volunteerism and dedication to the community.”

“The lighthouse will be dedicated to him, in his memory.”

Manzoli’s family also attended the ceremony, including his wife Diane, his son Paul, his daughter Sarah, and some of his grandchildren.

“Al worked hard for this,” Ralston told Diane, who was in a wheelchair.

The park where the lighthouse is located is named after Leo Piché, Bryson’s longest-serving mayor, and is situated right on the waterfront within view of the bridge to Calumet Island.

Local historian Perry Kluke said that Bryson, being right on the river, is historically tied to the water, a relationship to which the lighthouse pays tribute.

“Before the bridge, people had to get across by boat,” referring to the crossing between Bryson and Calumet Island. “It was the only way.”

The park has a boat launch that Kluke said still gets used a lot in the summertime.

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