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Serving Taylor, Old Forge, Moosic & Surrounding Areas
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Times-shamrock communiTy newspapers 149 Penn Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: (570) 207-3473 Fax: (570) 207-3448 E-mail: triborobanner@ timesshamrock.com
June 4, 2015
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Saving Sacred Places
ON THE INSIDE See what’s happening this month at the Taylor Community Library Page 3
BANNER
Old Forge Cemetery asks community to help stop toppling stones by Stephanie Longo CNG Editor
It’s a place of serenity but, if something isn’t done soon, the Old Forge Cemetery could become the site of a tragedy, according to Jimmy Schiavo, cemetery superintendent, and Tony De Lucca, cemetery caretaker. “We are worried because of the incident that happened in Throop where someone was killed by a toppling headstone,” Schiavo said. “We want people to come and check out the stones, but it is hard to get in touch with people.” The cemetery was established in 1909 by Italian immigrants who settled in Old Forge. The non-denominational cemetery is spread over five acres and also has a special plot for area veterans. Schiavo and De Lucca have noticed that large headstones have started to slide off of their bases, most likely due to the severity of this past winter. Unfortunately, the cemetery is not liable for the headstones, as Schiavo explained. “We do not fix the stones,” he stressed. “Perpetual care is a one-time fee of $100, but that only covers grass cutting and weed trimming. It has nothing to do with the stones. Once the family buys the lot, it is their property.” De Lucca said that the stones can weigh from 600 to 1,000 pounds and could kill or seriously injure someone. The cemetery itself is not staffed full-time and is run by volunteers, meaning that if someone was alone in the cemetery and something happened, help might not come immediately. De Lucca added that children ride their bikes and play in the cemetery. “You can’t imagine how many people came to me over Memorial Day weekend asking me if we fix the stones or level them or put them back into place. We don’t have the equipment to do that. If we break a stone or chip it, then we are liable,” he said. “The stones are so heavy that you need a truck crane to pick up the top part, remove the base, put a new footer
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Old Forge Cemetery superintendent Jimmy Schiavo (left) and caretaker Tony De Lucca (right) point out a tombstone that is in danger of falling over. The two noticed that there are many stones that might topple over in the cemetery or have already fallen and are asking people to check on their family’s plots. PHOTOS STEPHANIE LONGO
in and then glue them back together. There’s a lot of work involved and it could be expensive. Once people hear how much it costs, they don’t want to do it.” Schiavo said that he and De Lucca have tried to contact families who might know the whereabouts of the next-of-kin of those whose tombstones have toppled over or are in danger of falling, but because people move out of the
area, the process has been difficult. “Some stones are laying on the ground now,” he said. “We don’t want anything to happen to anyone.” If anyone has relatives buried in the Old Forge Cemetery and would like to find out if their family’s headstone is in danger or would like information on how to fix the stones, call Jimmy Schiavo at 570-562-3394.