Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the dozens of people who turned out for the St. John’s Cemetery barbecue fundraiser in Garson on Sunday.
The St. John’s Cemetery Volunteer Improvement Group began their work more than three decades ago and have been keeping the cemetery neat and tidy ever since. Eight years ago, they began holding annual barbecues in the cemetery to show off their work and raise money for local causes.
A member of the group for the past four years, Terry Larocque told Sudbury.com the annual barbecues have raised as much as $8,000 in some years, and have raised tens of thousands of dollars over the past eight years.
This year, the funds raised will support the work of the Garson Food Bank.
“It started as a way to thank the community, but so many people turned up, we turned it into a fundraiser,” Larocque said.
As stated, the volunteers have undertaken numerous projects at the cemetery over the past three decades.
The group rebuilt two cremation gardens in 2020. In 2021, they levelled monuments and raised flat markers to improve the cemetery's appearance and functionality. Two years ago, new cedar trees were added and benches were painted and maintained.
Last year, the volunteers were presented with a Civic Award for Volunteerism from the City of Greater Sudbury for their efforts.
“Over the past three decades, the group has initiated and completed a remarkable array of 36 significant projects, transforming the cemetery into a serene and well-maintained resting place for loved ones,” the group told Sudbury.com. “The group's accomplishments are not just a series of tasks completed, but are milestones that represent their dedication and love for their community.”
The St. John's Cemetery Volunteer Improvement Group includes Gilles Barbe, Terry Lynds, Ken Belanger, Paul Lizotte, Gord Brown, Rob Millar, Dave Drake, Rod McHugh, Paul Dupuis, John Monaghan, Stan Hayduk, Normina Monaghan, Rolly Lamarche, Kerri Monaghan, Blair Lamarche, Grant Murphy, Morris Lamothe, Rod Rienguette, Terry Larocque and Ben Scagnetti Sr.
The group tips its hat to the four members lost over the past year: Ray Joly, John Lobsinger, Guy Bergeron and Butch Desjardins.
Mark Gentili is the editor of Sudbury.com.