Broadcaster Fall 2001

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Changing of the Guard click here
A Message from the Past President click here
A Message from the President click here
Government & Legal Affairs Report click here
NYSAC Web Site click here
Matthews Donates a Bronze Statue and Plaques to the City of New York click here
1926 Burial Finally Completed click here
Industry Leader Leads Nation in Healing click here
Kensico Cemetery Dedicates Tree of Remembrance click here
Could your cemetery do this? click here
Memories of the 2001 Fall Conference click here

Changing of the Guard
The changing of the guard at NYSAC took place on a day that changed all of our lives forever - September 11, 2001. Following are messages to the NYSAC membership from both our outgoing and incoming president.

A Message from the Past President
Almost everyone knows that our fall conference at Niagara-on-the- Lake was cut short due to the events of September 11, 2001. It is a shame, because Neal Barlin worked exceptionally hard in planning and organizing a great program at a wonderful hotel. Up until the morning of the 11th, it was an excellent conference. I would like to personally thank Neal for an outstanding job.

Also, I did not have a chance to thank everyone at the final banquet for everything that they did throughout the year to make last year a very successful one for NYSAC. You may recall that in Atlantic City a year ago, I told the group that organizations such as NYSAC become great when everyone gives their complete support. That happened last year.

I would also like to thank Beth Seme and her staff; Frank Giglio and the Government and Legal Affairs Committee; Rick Touchette and Chet Day (Spring Conference); Rick Touchette (organizing the first regional superintendent’s forum); the Web Site Committee which was made up of Rick Touchette, Rich Moylan and Chet Day; and of course the entire Board of Directors and Officers of NYSAC. (Please forgive me if I have left out some names).

We accomplished a lot of things last year, and I thank everyone for their support. Now, as we go into a new year, we have a new President, and she is no stranger to any of us. Bobbie Gerdus has worked thousands of hours for NYSAC in the past, and I hope that you will all give her as much support as you did me. If so, she too, will have a successful time as your next President. Once again, thanks to everyone for making the past year a very enjoyable one.
Allan J. Vittum
Immediate Past President

A Message from the President
Niagara-on-the-Lake, what a beautiful place to hold the fall conference. Our Conference chairman, Neal Barlin and Beth and her staff put in a lot of time and hard work and I know that everyone that had the opportunity to attend the meeting enjoyed it. As I’m sure you all are aware, we were in the middle of the conference when we heard the very tragic news about what our country was about to face.

I want to personally thank each and every one of you for not only your concerns for each other, but for your kindness toward me, in trying to make the banquet such a special event. I know how lucky I am to be associated with such a wonderful organization and you proved me right again with your response to our survey regarding assistance available for cemeteries in or near New York City. As of this date, we have not used them, but we are ready if needed.

The coming year should prove to be a very interesting year. Not only for our nation but in every aspect of our country. Your continued support is needed to make this a strong association. Your committees work very hard for you, so support them in any way you can.

As I am writing this message, I am getting ready to attend the first Regional Superintendent’s Forum in Albany being hosted by Rick Touchette at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery. I am looking forward to the meeting and hope I have the opportunity to see all of you there, if not, maybe at one of our other very informative meetings in the coming year.

Winter is fast approaching, so please stay warm, safe and healthy.
Bobbie Gerdus
President

Government & Legal Affairs Report
Supreme Court Application Bill Passes
A.7392-Vitaliano/S.3832-Marchi, a NYSAC sponsored bill, has passed both the Assembly and Senate and awaits delivery to Governor Pataki. This bill creates a technical correction to Chapter 11 of the laws of 2000, to allow for orders of the Supreme Court to increase or diminish contributions to the Permanent Maintenance Fund, not the Cemetery Board. This bill restores the requirement that a cemetery Corporation obtain Supreme Court approval in the district in which they are located.

The following bills have also been introduced by NYSAC:
A.3439-Vitaliano/S.2021-Marchi. This bill would permit the Modified Return concept to be used on Permanent Maintenance and Perpetual Care funds. This bill has been reported to Ways and Means on 6/19/01 in the Assembly and in the Senate on 6/21/01 was committed to Rules.

A.4875-Vitaliano/S.2546-Marchi. This bill would permit cemetery corporations to reclaim graves under certain circumstances, upon application to and approval by the Attorney General. This bill has passed the Senate and has been referred to Ways and Means on 6/19/01 in the Assembly.

Monitored Bills Passed Both Houses
A.8771-Vitaliano/S.3766-Marchi. This is the Department of State’s mausoleum/columbarium pre-construction bill. The bill has been committed to the Rules Committee in both the Assembly and the Senate.

A.7739 /S.3985 clarifies that monies paid in advance for funeral merchandise shall be placed in a trust. The bill has passed both houses and awaits transmittal to the Governor.

We have introduced a change to the “Holiday Burial” directive, 201.12, in order to clarify that “it is the duty of a cemetery to attempt to service the needs of those whose religious beliefs require burial within a specified period on days established as holidays or non-working days for cemetery personnel.”

The Anti-Combination Law Suit is in the hands of the Chief Judge Scullin of the Northern District. We are awaiting his ruling.
Frank F. Giglio, Chairman

Matthews Donates a Bronze Statue and Plaques to the City of New York
Matthews International Corporation donated a 6’x6’ bronze statue of a firefighter in an emotional kneeling position along with two 4’x8’ bronze feature plaques to the City of New York in remembrance of the heroes who gave their lives while assisting in rescue operations following the unprecedented act of terrorism against the United States on September 11, 2001.

The Emergency Service plaque depicts sculpted images of firefighters, police officers and emergency services personnel in the line of duty. Popular U.S. scenes such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Rushmore and the Liberty Bell frame the words to the song “America the Beautiful” on the second bronze feature plaque.

The statue, which was originally commissioned to Matthews by the Firefighters Association of Missouri in October 2000, was recently completed. The Missouri association said “yes” to Matthews’ request that they donate the work of art to New York with Matthews to supply the Missouri organization with another stature at a later date.

“We hope that this statue will serve as a source of inspiration to the numerous firefighters, police officers, emergency services personnel and volunteers who are working tirelessly in the rescue and recovery efforts at the site of the World Trade Center destruction,” said David J. DeCarlo, the president of Matthews’ Bronze Division. “Additionally, it will be a tangible site for those grieving to find solace, a place where flowers, note and various other memorials to victims can be placed.”

This heroic size bronze statue was custom manufactured by Pittsburg-based Matthews International Corporation’s plant in Parma, Italy for shipment to Missouri.

According to DeCarlo, many coincidences surround the statue’s arrival in New York.

“It was fate that the 2,700-pound statue entered the United States on September 9 at Kennedy Airport. The statue, which was originally intended to be shipped by ocean freight to the United States for a mid-October delivery, was air freighted to the United States at the direction of Matthews’ product manager to ensure the October delivery.”

As it turned out, the statue arrived two days prior to the national disaster and was detained in customs during the closure of Kennedy airport.

Representatives from Matthews worked tirelessly to have the statue released on September 17 and had it in downtown New York by September 18.

Another coincidence occurred the day the bronze statue was released when the New York Post published a full-page photo of a fireman in the same pose the statue depicts at what is being dubbed “Ground Zero”. DeCarlo added that the response from the citizens of New York has been overwhelming and that Matthews together with the Firefighters Association of Missouri are honored to contribute to the war effort and the healing process for the citizens of New York.

1926 Burial Finally Completed
On October 3, 2001, at 2:00 p.m., a graveside service was conducted at The Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York. It brought to a conclusion questions everyone has had for years at Frank E. Campbell The Funeral Chapel, 1075 Madison Avenue, New York, NY. The question was what to do about the remains of the firm’s founder and his mother, both of which had been placed in storage in a receiving vault of a mausoleum in New Jersey. The final resting place for Malvina T. Campbell, who was born on July 1, 1841 and died on November 10, 1926 at the age of 85 and her son, Frank Ellis Campbell, who was born on July 4, 1872 and died on January 19, 1934 at the age of 62, had never been selected. After Frank’s wife, Amelia, died in 1954 and their only child, Frank Jr., died in the late 60’s without resolving this matter, the questions continued.

Finally the funeral home Ellis founded decided to bury him and his mother at The Woodlawn Cemetery. The two cast bronze sarcophagus caskets, made by National Casket Company, were placed in Wilbert Bronze Triune burial vaults. Three members of the clergy conducted the service along with Eugene R. Schultz, President of Frank E. Campbell The Funeral Chapel. Over 50 people, most of them funeral directors, were in attendance.

In 1898 at the age of 26, Frank E. Campbell, through his keen insight, extraordinary vision and dedicated determination, founded a firm that set standards in funeral service that are unparalleled today. Mr. Campbell said, “To create a service so sublimely beautiful, in an atmosphere of such complete harmony as to alleviate the sorrow of parting, is to render a service to mankind.” Now, more than 100 years later, he has received just such a service from the firm he founded.

Could your cemetery do this?
NYSAC is looking for volunteers to host future regional Superintendents Forums. Most superintendents agree that one of the most meaningful parts of any meeting is getting to see other cemeteries. What could they see and learn at YOUR cemetery?

Help is available to organize the event and schedule speakers. All you need to do is make your facility available for one day in the fall of 2002 and be prepared to conduct a tour of your operation. If you are willing to do this, please call NYSAC President Bobbie Gerdus at 607-797-8407. This was a great event. Let’s keep it going!!!

Memories of the 2001 Fall Conference