Rededication to take place in a distinguished location

NORTH TONAWANDA - With cuts in state funding and little room to move when it comes to the cost of living - and the cost of dying - there isn’t always an option to depend on others to cover the costs of improvements.

Acacia Park Cemetery, one of North Tonawanda’s largest cemeteries, is home to many loved ones, young and old . The 218-acre location is filled with unique sculptures depicting different scriptural images; architectural designs, specifically designed by E. B. Green; and most of all, monuments dedicated in honor of where it all began, in 1928.

The cemetery, which began as a Masonic Cemetery, was founded by the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In 1938, the Eagles built the Fraternal Order of Eagles statue, which stands in the cemetery today, to preserve the memory of their past members.

This year, the statue will be rededicated at 4 p.m. May 12 at the cemetery, 4215 Tonawanda Creek Road North, North Tonawanda.

For many who don’t know, the Fraternal Order of Eagles is not only the founder of this cemetery, they are also the founders of Mother’s Day.

The rededication falls just before Mother’s Day, because Patricia Young, director of family services has more in stock for those who often visit the cemetery.

A rededication of The Fountain Garden will take place on Mother’s Day, at 2 p.m. May 13, to honor a patron who has donated their time and money to bettering Acacia Park Cemetery.

“This person has really made a difference here. They have spent a lot of time here and we want to thank them by honoring them,” said Young.

Young expects to greet 1,500 people in the park on Mother’s Day. She and her staff put time and effort into making loved ones experience a memorable one when they visit the park.

“A cemetery is a place where you come and pay respect to your loved ones,” said Young “It should be dignified.”

Young has slowly been bettering the landscape of the monuments, to define their beauty just a bit more; making on site restorations to those statues that have weathered a hundred years of storms, and working hard to make Acacia Park a peaceful final resting place for many more people.

For more information contact Young at 693-0511.