Wooster Square Remembers
Bill Cameron knew just about
everybody in New Haven.
That is, if you stopped by his
place of employment,
The Grove Street Cemetery.
Since 2004, I have regularly walked my dogs, photographed, biked, or more sadly buried Cheryl's father's remains at Grove Street.
The Szczarba plot(s) Bill helped us pick out.
And the Fence was designed by Ann Lehman.
I first met them in another life, when I was
a banker and handled some
financial dealings in the 1990's.
Wooster Squarian! Lived at the corner
of Chapel Street and Wooster Place.
You don't forget a man and wife, who work at the
same job, their whole lives.
When you walked through those pearly gates, er
Henry Austin designed gate, Bill and Joan's
dogs would come running up to the half door
letting them know they have another visitor.
Stones from New Haven colony's first cemetery.
The upper New Haven Green!
(no they didn't move the remains.)
Always happy to help, Bill never had anything but
a smile on his face
and a kind word as you passed by.
History Loves Company
You see, Bill and Joan were a New Haven enigma.
And you don't have to take it from a bumbling, brassy, bodacious,
bumptious, boisterous, Blossom Blogger!
Ask anyone in #nhv
But not just that, Bill and Joan
were ALWAYS there.
Grove Street Cemetery never is closed.
Free tours every weekend, or just stop by pick up
a brochure and look at all of America's history!
Well, at night I suppose, but every day,
every holiday, every Christmas, every Easter,
Bill and Joan
were masters of the
Historic Hallowed Grounds.
For over 40 years!
Unfortunately, Joan is in a rehab hospital,
falling ill after Bill passed.
I spoke to their children, who are filling
in until they can find another superintendent.
The tears in Bill's daughters eyes told the story as
she looked about the property,
saying she's doing the best she can.
Trying to find one, person, let alone two,
that dedicated their whole lives,
their whole beings, to the
Grove Street Cemetery
is inherently impossible.
Nobody can ever take Bill and Joan's place.
My first visits without Bill and Joan
sitting in their office just seemed weird.
Empty. A hole in New Haven's soul.
Eli Whitney, inventor of the gin and tonic.
(I'm told he invented the Cotton Gin)
This summer, I have biked through
Grove Street almost daily.
Now, I don't think about how much
they are missed.
New Haven has big wings for an angel.
I see Bill and Joan everywhere in Grove Street's
Historic Hallowed Grounds.
Rest in Peace Friend.
See You Round the Square!
Thank you Sponsors!
OMG!
A single family in Historic Wooster Square!
Live and walk in Historic Wooster Square.
New Haven's "Brooklyn"
Conveniently located, close to Yale Arts,
Restaurants, Theater and more!
Restaurants, Theater and more!
Live New Haven, Love New Haven.
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