A memorial garden created in memory of a homeless man killed in Berwick, N.S. last year has been officially dedicated in his name.

The family of Harley Lawrence and the Town of Berwick officially opened the garden Thursday morning.

“This is a very special day because everyone knows it's October 23, exactly one year since my brother's passing,” said Ron Lawrence.

The tribute was made possible by donations at a vigil following his death.

“They identified that something concrete that they could work on together would be a beautiful thing,” said Julie Glaser of the Town of Berwick.

The town came together this summer to plant the garden and honour Lawrence.

“The garden is important to the Town of Berwick because it symbolizes the loss of one of the town's members and someone who was loved and was part of someone's family,” said one student.

“This is a place to think, to contemplate, and to remember Harley Lawrence as a member of our community,” said another.

Lawrence’s body was found in a burned-out bus shelter in Berwick on Oct. 23, 2013.

The 62-year-old had become a familiar face on the streets of Berwick and had been living in the bus shelter on Commercial Street.

Police have released few details about the case but confirm the fire was deliberately set.

Lawrence’s brother said the garden will serve as a reminder that violence is never the answer.

“If people don’t remember what happened, we will just continue on again and people won’t remember, like 10 years down the road, and the same thing might happen to somebody else.”

Two young men, Daniel Wayne Surette and Kyle David James Fredericks, each face a charge of first-degree murder in Lawrence’s death.

Seven days have been set aside for their preliminary inquiry, which is scheduled to begin Feb. 9.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl