Cemetery board shows appreciation to volunteer Jack Diller

CHESTERTOWN — Drizzly weather couldn’t stifle the surprised joy from Jack Diller when, on Sunday, the Board of Directors of Chester Cemetery revealed a plaque dedicated to him to complete their new addition, a meditation area and cremation area.

The plaque is the board’s way of showing their appreciation for Diller’s “many, many years of gratuitous and unrivaled service.”

He did many things, but as board member Nina Burt pointed out, he will forever be known as the man responsible for the painting of the fence. It’s not just painting, she added. He first had to scrape away parts of the old fence, a monumental task in itself.

Twenty years ago, he was there, Warden Don Stokes said.

Burt remarked, “It was hot as blazes sometimes but he’d work right on through.”

The plaque greets people at the entrance of the new area, and was fashioned by Franklin Bronze in Pennsylvania.

The meditation area introduces the cremation area, just off to the side.

Along with the plaque and the stone foundation work, courtesy of Bob Hill for Union Concrete and Construction, are benches made out of recycled bottle caps.

President of the board, Belle Thompson thanked all the volunteers for their hard work. They may pay for mowing, but the weeding and other things the volunteers do. She acknowledged that upkeep in such a space is not inexpensive; contributions are always welcomed.