Tuesday 6 July 2021

The Dead End of Town

Sometimes my morning walk takes me through the local cemetery. It's cool and shady and quiet there, with not many people about. And if there are people walking their dogs, they are always happy to stop and chat. 

I don't think I'm the only person who likes to wander among the graves and read the names and dates of former residents of town. The earliest legible memorial stone here dates from 1849, but there are probably a few earlier than that.

Nathan Forsyth 1852-1948 was the builder of many of the Victorian red brick houses that still stand on  the older streets. In fact, I lived in a Forsyth house for many years. He also built the United Church, the Presbyterian Church and the original Fire Hall. His grave memorial is in the shape of a house with windows and doors.

There are some lovely stone angels marking graves. But they look so sad. A lasting memorial to a family's grief.

Walking around the newer section of the cemetery I came across many familiar family names of friends and neighbours. One was Eddie Luther, the original "Eye in the Sky" traffic reporter for CFRB. He was a radio pioneer, the first to report on Toronto rush hour traffic from his helicopter starting in 1961.

Bee in the Brick Update: This was a couple of weeks ago. The hole in the brick is now completely sealed, so I'll be watching for a happy event.

28 comments:

  1. What a pretty cemetery Shammi, all those beautiful shady trees. The Nathan Forsyth headstone is so fitting, the angels as you say wonderfully poignant. It is amazing how many people find peace strolling through cemeteries ✨

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The shady area is the original older area, very peaceful and quiet.

      Delete
  2. It does look a peaceful place to visit with all the trees. Such a lovely memorial to the Forsyth family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nathan Forsyth was the builder of many of the significant buildings in town. He must have been very well known.

      Delete
  3. Cemeteries are very peaceful. This one looks lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Add me to the (probably very long) list of people who enjoys wandering through cemeteries. Love the trees too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I love to read the headstones, some of them bring a tear to my eye, children dying so young.

      Delete
  5. The cemetery looks peaceful. It resembles a park with all those trees. I enjoy walking through cemeteries and reading the headstones. I find it very peaceful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's certainly a quiet place to walk through.... the residents don't make much fuss!

      Delete
  6. Eddie Luther: I had forgotten but the name seems familiar now. Do you remember Jocko Thomas who reported from Police Headquarters? (I think that was the name.)

    Why yes! I was right. https://www.thestar.com/news/obituaries/2010/05/05/gwyn_jocko_thomas_96_legendary_crime_reporter.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember the name but I didn't listen to CFRB much.

      Delete
  7. Bello cementerio, muy pacifico. Te mando un beso

    ReplyDelete
  8. My high school was near one of the oldest cemeteries in St. John’s. I and a group of friends liked to spend lunch time looking through the cemetery. I had family buried there too so I would visit their graves regularly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have spent a lot of time wandering the Anglican cemetery on Forest road, is that the one you were near? (next to the prison!)

      Delete
  9. I love visiting cemeteries too. It's peaceful and so interesting. The House tombstone is so unique..I like things like that. I especially like the granite as it weathers.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's always one more gravestone to be read.... such an interesting way to spend a couple of peaceful hours.

      Delete
  10. I also find most cemeteries peaceful places to visit and stroll through. Sometimes it is sad to read headstones, but more often it is interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The older areas of cemeteries often have lots of little children's graves... so sad.... thankfully not so many these days.

      Delete
  11. A beautiful memorial to the Forsyth family.

    It does look like a peaceful place to retreat to and meditate.

    ReplyDelete
  12. So I'm the only one who doesn't enjoy walking through a cemetery? Not that I ever have, although I did once accidentally have a picnic in one with my mother. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gosh, an accidental picnic in a graveyard with Mum, sounds fascinating, you'll have to tell the story!

      Delete
  13. I too love walking through the dead centre of town. There is a cemetery to the west of us where I walk the dog. I read the headstones, mostly the dates and think of the woman who was born in 1903 and died in 1993. She lived through so much history. God knows what she suffered.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The changes in life during those 90 years is astonishing. From horse and cart to rockets into space!

      Delete
  14. I am a great fan of old cemeteries as great places for birds. There are generally mature trees, tombstones to use as perches, lots of insects on decaying flowers, and it's quiet. They are often great places to find winter owls.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And I could hear the birds singing, just a faint hum of traffic in the distance. I'll have to go back in winter to check out the owls.

      Delete

All comments welcome.... unless your name is Anonymous..