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Missing memorial plaque found and returned

July 5, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

A memorial plaque stolen from Deanne Cynthia Rose Park in Alliston has been recovered.

The plaque, which honours the memory of Norm and Cathy Engelhardt, was originally installed in the park in 2022, along with a tree planted in their memory. A Town program offers residents an opportunity to have a tree planted with a plaque or a memorial bench installed at locations around New Tecumseth in memory of a loved one.

The plaque was tampered with on several occasions before being removed by vandals in May. It was replaced with a new plaque, and the latest installation was firmly anchored.

However, on June 16, the new plaque was stolen from the park. It would have taken considerable effort to remove it.

The family is dismayed at having a memorial to their parents vandalized.

“I’m not sure who it was, but it didn’t matter to them or they didn’t seem to care,” said Stephen Engelhardt. “But for us, and the rest of the family, this is one of the things we really wanted to do. There is no other resting spot for them. This is the only thing we have to be able to acknowledge their lives.”

The plaque was found by local pickleball players, and it was returned.

Now that it has been located, Stephen discussed options with the Town. It was decided to have it mounted in the front garden of Stephen’s home.

“Due to the nature of this type of memorial there wasn’t that much more that the town could do to safeguard it if it was returned to the base of the tree,” Stephen said. “The Town did assure us that the tree would continue to be well looked after by the Parks and Recreation Department and by ourselves who’ll keep an eye on it. I think this was the only thing that made sense. We didn’t want to take a chance again and have it go missing a 3rd time.”

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