Outdoor Memorials in Garden City: Western Section

This week Patch looks at other memorials in the western section of Garden City: The Presbyterian Church, Nassau Haven and Edgemere parks and the Tanners Pond Environmental Center.

The Presbyterian Church, off New Hyde Park Road, has one memorial. It is for George Patrick Reeve - "Georgie's Tree- May 14th, 2003."

Nassau Haven Park has one memorial. It is dedicated to former Village of Garden City mayor, Raymond L. Regan - "In memory, for his many years of dedicated service to this community."

Edgemere Playground has the most memorials in town for a park with four. They are dedicated to Bob Ferris, Elizabeth Furlong, Greg Gartner and John Traxler.

Bob Ferris - "He died in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11th, 2001. A 30-year resident of Garden City and active community member. A good man, husband, father, grandfather, friend and neighbor. Always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts."

Elizabeth Colleen Furlong - "In loving memory- July 5th, 1986 to August 23, 2008. Donated by the Harvard Street and Princeton Street neighbors."

Greg J. Gartner - "All of us get lost in the darkness, dreamers learn to steer by the stars. In loving memory of the best brother and son...The swings are free!!! September 16, 1971 to October 11th, 2006."

John F. Traxler - "In memory. For his five years of volunteer service to the Garden City Community and especially to the Western Garden City Property Owners Association as Director, Treasurer and President."

Tanners Pond Environmental Center (also known as the Garden City Bird Sanctuary) has been planting many trees in the last 17 years. Initial memorial trees were donated in memory of George Morton and Lucy Stark by the Garden City Community Church in 1995.

More than 150 additional trees have been planted through funds donated either in memory or in honor of loved ones. Benches, gardens, bird baths and other items have been added through the generosity of many donors. Markers indicate the honoree and a list of names, donors, and trees is on a bulletin board at the site.
Each year, a dedication ceremony is held at the TPEC.

Over the years, some of the dedication ceremonies have been officiated with assistance from a number of Garden City clergy. For example, when Colonel Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut, was tragically killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, Rabbi Stephen Goodman from the Garden City Jewish Center officiated the dedication of a cedar tree planted from funds raised by their students.

The 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy led to the planting of several trees in memory of village victims. The "Big Sister Corner" was named to honor all big sisters after the passing of Garden City High School 1964 alumnus Maureen Prisco. The tragic loss of the Parente family led to the installation of the Parente Garden by another Boy Scout Eagle project in 2010.

Including St. Anne's, the western section has more than 550 memorials to beloved individuals, which is the largest group of outdoor memorials in any section of Garden City.

Do you have a special outdoor memorial in town for a loved one? Do you know someone who has been memorialized? Let us know in the comments section below. (Your comments may be used in a future article.)