I am a representative of the Board of Directors of the Gales Ferry Cemetery Association. The cemetery is located in the state of Connecticut, U.S.A. There are five members on the Board. It is a 100% volunteer organization. Board meetings are held in July at the Community Center and they're open to the public (but only people who own plots can vote). It is a secular cemetery.
Funds are used for mowing, tree maintenance, beautification, to maintain the stone fence and to rebuild the perpetual maintenance fund (story below). All contributions will be deposited directly into the GFCA Bank Account.
Detailed information about the Cemetery is available on the Wikipedia page. Here's a summary:
- The G.F. Cemetery is listed on the National Registry of History Places.
- Buried there are American War veterans from every war from the Revolution to today from every branch of service.
- There is a family monument to Charles Satterlee, US Coast Guard, whose ship the USCGC Tampa was torpedoed and sunk during World War I, Revolutionary War Veteran Nathan Lester and others.
- At one time the Cemetery had a healthy perpetual fund; then, an unscrupulous Treasurer stole all the money.
- With the help of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (now U.S. Senator), she was prosecuted and convicted.
- The new Board has worked hard to rebuild the funds.
- Strong checks and balances are in place to prevent a repeat of the past mistakes.
Contributions are greatly appreciated. Give here or send a contribution directly to:
GFCA
P.O. Box 144
Gales Ferry, CT 06335
Our sincerest thanks for your help.
Organizer
