During the last several weeks of summer with high temperatures, New Windsor residents Jane and Ed Flanagan spent their time in Calvary Cemetery, maintaining their inward plot. However, quality and care for the overall cemetery has come into question and raised concerns, which hopefully can be addressed.

Calvary Cemetery is located at the corner of Quassaick Avenue and Walsh Avenue in the Town of New Windsor. It is currently maintained by Saint Patrick’s parish in the City of Newburgh. The cemetery is one of the largest in town with the other being Woodlawn Cemetery, operated and maintained by the town.

The cemetery is directly across the street from the New Windsor Veterans Memorial Monument where processions of military, firefighters and first responder personnel begin their process for Memorial Day activities each year. The cemetery is also home to a 9-11 memorial near its entrance that Jane’s husband and father-in-law worked on and maintained years ago.

Recent trips to the cemetery have left the Flanagans concerned about the care of the land with grasses being cut and left spread out over the lawns. There have also been concerns about the staffing for the cemetery as the Flanagans have not seen much of the dedicated staff at the cemetery. The Flanagans have also spoken to several cemetery visitors who share their grievances about the overall care and state. A recent trip the cemetery even found a rake on top of shrubs on their plot.

“I just feel it’s really disrespect to the dead. I don’t know what’s going on,” said Jane Flanagan. “I don’t expect them to pull weeds and that but at least mow the lawn and just don’t leave the grass laying on top and clean it up a little bit. For what you pay for a funeral today in perpetual care, where is it?”

“If anybody that’s interested could come down here and ride through, see what we’re talking about,” said Ed Flanagan. “Just have to reach out till we find the right person, somebody that’s willing to help out.”

The Flanagans later appeared at the first New Windsor Town meeting of September to seek guidance on how to resolve the issues before them. Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti is aware of the situation of the cemetery. “We’ve talked to them before about some damage. I’ve actually pointed out a lot of weeds and high grass along the fences,” said Bedetti. “It definitely needs some attention.”

Since that meeting at town hall through further discussions, the town has offered its services to help maintain the care of the cemetery. Meanwhile the staff, three members currently, would be done and out by the end of the month. The cemetery office was contacted prior about the care and maintenance but was not heard back from. Harry Coolidge is listed as the Superintendent of Cemeteries for St. Patricks.

The parish office was contacted in hopes of speaking with Father Fernando Hernandez about the cemetery but the inquiry was redirected to the Archdiocese of New York Communications office. A representative from that office explained via email that the cemetery is the responsibility of the parish and that the pastor is looking into resolving the situation. The Trustees office, which oversees the archdiocesan cemeteries, is also always available to parish cemeteries to give guidance and advice.