New Glasgow men lead charge to restore lettering on stone with more than 600 names

NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — There’s a saying that Clyde Macdonald likes to repeat. He believes it’s Greek in origin. It says in essence that if one’s name is remembered, then that person will live forever.
He and his friend Philip MacKenzie hope the community will help them preserve that earthly immortality for more than 600 individuals whose names are written on a marker at the Duff Cemetery located near the border of New Glasgow and Stellarton. Their goal is to have the names all refurbished.
The individuals listed on the stone are those without gravestones, but are believed to be buried at the Duff Cemetery, which historical records indicate is the oldest cemetery in the town. Some were children who lived less than a day; others lived nearly a century. 
“There are so many that worked at the mines that are buried here too,” says MacKenzie. “Even young kids, 13 or 14 years old.”
At a time when families were large and paychecks small, putting food on the table was often deemed more important than purchasing gravestones, the men explain.
Macdonald said his own grandmother had 15 children, some of whom died in infancy. While there is evidence of the lots being purchased and the children buried at the Riverside cemetery, he said there are no markers. Such was the case for many of those buried at the Duff Cemetery.
Jim Smith and Carol Evans did research on the Duff Cemetery to find the names of those believed to be interred there without a stone. That research led to the placement of a large marker at the front of the cemetery. But now time and weather are starting to fade those names, which is why Macdonald and MacKenzie would like to have it refurbished.
Already this year, the pair have led a charge to have fallen and broken stones at the cemetery restored. Their goal initially was to have 17 stones fixed, but thanks to the help of Glen Fraser from Angus Funeral Home, who donated time, as well as strong support from people in the community, they were able to have 50 stones fixed. 
They’re hoping the community will offer as much support for the relettering work as was shown for the headstone repairs. Former Stellarton Mayor Art Fitt has already offered his support by donating copies of a 40th anniversary CD of his recordings which are being given in exchange for free-will donations to the project.
Anyone who would like to help with the project can call MacKenzie at 902-695-3632 or Macdonald at 902-755-4738.