May He Rest In Peace

Michael’s life was taken from him on a cold night in February 1960. Those responsible removed all identification – even his jacket. His body was recovered from the East Bay River by the N.Y. Police Department – on the 25^th day of February, l960 – three days after his 27^th birthday. Michael was taken to Bellevue and from there to City Cemetery where he was buried as UNKNOWN.

Having searched for Michael for two years – his family discovered his fate. We knew Michael was buried in City Cemetery, N.Y., but had no idea of the location of this Cemetery.

Forty years passed. Our family felt it necessary to locate Michael’s grave – have his name spoken, and the ‘Prayers for the Dead’ recited by a priest. With the help of many good people and particularly Thomas McCarthy of the NYCHS, we found City Cemetery on HART ISLAND.

On All Souls Day last November, Fr. Moore called Michael’s name and performed the service for the dead. Michael is no longer UNKNOWN.

Hart Island was very beautiful on that day – so peaceful – the only sounds the “sigh” of the wind through the trees and the bell ringing on the buoy out in the water just off the Island.

Rest in Peace Michael and each and every soul buried on HART ISLAND.