Celebrating 60 years of the Sharon Pharmacy, a community staple

SHARON — Sharon Pharmacy threw a magnificent anniversary party to celebrate 60 years to the day of serving its community since its opening on July 3, 1961. The whole Heacox family was there to welcome the public to a birthday bash with generous hospitality.

There were hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone, chips and beverages, and of course a huge cake.

Chris Heacox remembered his late father, Ed, who with his wife, Kathryn, jointly shouldered the work of starting and building the fledgling pharmacy business. Ed had been determined to become a pharmacist, his son said.

“When Dad was very young, he worked in a pharmacy near New Hartford, Conn., sweeping the dirt floors. ‘One day, I’ll open a pharmacy,’ he would recall thinking,” Chris Heacox said. And so, in time, he did.

Ed’s son Joe expressed appreciation from the family to customers and employees, past and present. He said that it was thanks to their commitment that the pharmacy is still open and thriving.

“We will never forget Dad,” Joe Heacox said.

Kathryn Heacox-Hayden, 88, shared memories of how she and Ed brought the pharmacy to the shop that people experience today.

“It’s a joy to see all of my family here,” she smiled, remembering the past 60 years.

Asked if the store closed for the Fourth of July holiday in 1961, the day after it opened on July 3, she said that the pharmacy was open on the holiday, but the other town businesses and offices were shut down, leading Ed to be quoted as asking her, “What have we done?”