SURROUNDING PIONEER CEMETERIES AND THOMAS E BURGER'S SPECIAL PROJECT DURING THE HOLIDAYS

While it is customary for the living to honor the deceased by placing a wreath at their graves at the holidays, older cemeteries often go unadorned. But not so in the Parma area where Thomas Burger of Hilton has quietly gone about a special project for the past 10 or so years. He, with the assistance of Richard Wyant, place wreaths at the restored and yet-to-be restored sites - "I do it to remember the pioneer settlers of Parma and to honor their memory," he said last week when this photo was made. Burger has been the inspiration for many Boy Scouts working on their Eagle Scout rank requirements and has worked with other community members to get old cemetery signs replaced or repainted. Ronald & Kathy Carlton have helped with the sign endeavors. Among the restored historical cemeteries are: Wright at Dunbar Rd. and Town Line Rd,; Smith at North Ave. and Dunbar Rd.; Atchinson at Hill Rd; Castle at Peck Road east of Rt. 259; Knapp/Sage at Clarkson Parma Town Line Rd.; Hoosick on Route 104. Yet to be restored cemeteries include Van Wormer at Bennett Road and Moul on Moul Rd.

Hoosic Hill Cemetery

The Smith Family Pioneer Cemetery

The Wright Family Pioneer Cemetery

The Sage Family Pioneer Cemetery
also known as the Knapp Cemetery

The Atchinson Family Pioneer Cemetery