"A Monument to Devotion: Commemorating the Czito Family and Their Role in Tesla’s Legacy"

We invite you to join us in commemorating a remarkable chapter in the story of Nikola Tesla—one that honors not only his genius but also the loyalty and dedication of the Czito family, his trusted assistants.

Kolman and Julius Czito, a father and son team who rest peacefully at Maple Grove Cemetery, played pivotal roles in Tesla's groundbreaking work. They stood by him during some of his most daring experiments, and their unwavering support helped shape the innovations that transformed our world. Yet, their graves remain unmarked, and their invaluable contributions remain untold.

To honor their legacy, we are launching a fundraiser to add a marble statue of a pigeon to the tombstone/monument that will be placed at their resting place. The Czito tombstone will be crafted from striking Lightning Granite and will be a twin copy of the Lewis Latimer tombstone designed by the talented artist Stan Mullins. Known for his exceptional work, Mullins unveiled the Latimer tombstone at Oak Grove Cemetery in Massachusetts last year. This thoughtful design will also feature a marble carving of a white dove, lovingly sculpted by Samantha Newman, a renowned artist and Maple Grove’s first artist-in-residence. The dove not only symbolizes peace but also represents Tesla's profound affection for a special pigeon—a story that is intertwined with Julius Czito’s kindness and humanity.

Samantha's work is already part of the Maple Grove legacy. On November 23, 2024, a crowd gathered at the Ocean Plot for the dedication and unveiling of the lamb sculpture created by Samantha to honor the 1,250 individuals buried in the mass grave between 1925 and 1937. This resting place, mostly for infants, children, and stillborn, had remained unmarked for nearly a century. Samantha crafted the lamb from white marble and used a glacial boulder she selected from the cemetery grounds as a pedestal, accompanied by a bronze plaque to remember the children. The ceremony was a poignant moment of remembrance and reverence.

Samantha Newman will again use her incredible talent to add a small marble carving of a pigeon to the Czito tombstone as the story of a special pigeon is closely tied to the friendship between Nikola Tesla and Julius Czito. Tesla had a deep bond with a particular white pigeon that became well-known in his later years, with the bird serving as a source of inspiration and comfort. When the pigeon died, he turned to Julius for help. Tesla asked Julius to bury the bird on his property, where its grave could be properly cared for. However, when Julius reached his home Tesla called him and requested the return of the bird which Julius did. How Tesla disposed of the pigeon remains unknown. This poignant story highlights the closeness between Tesla and Julius, as well as the enduring friendship between Julius and his father, Kolman.

This monument will serve as a lasting tribute to the Czito family's dedication and a reminder of the human stories behind history’s great innovations. It will also enhance Maple Grove Cemetery's rich tapestry of memorials, ensuring their contributions are remembered for generations to come.

We cannot achieve this without your help. Please consider contributing to this project and helping us reach our goal. Together, we can bring this vision to life and ensure the Czito family’s story is told, celebrated, and preserved.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will bring us closer to creating this lasting tribute. Let’s honor the unsung heroes who stood in the shadow of greatness yet made greatness possible.

Thank you for being part of this journey to preserve history and humanity.