This tree is growing out of love.
The Tarentum Remembrance Tree, measuring 3 feet by 4 feet and encased in a shadow box on the Snack Shack at Riverview Memorial Park, gives people an opportunity to honor loved ones who have died by having their names and loving messages inscribed on one of the tree’s 100 metal leaves or rocks around its base.
Some of the leaves are already inscribed. One reads, “Greg Blythe. Best Pappy Ever. We Miss You So Much!” Another says, “Mom & Dad, Hugh & Grace Fox, In Our Hearts Forever”
“It is very sentimental to these folks,” said Tarentum Councilwoman Carrie Fox, who is president of the borough’s Recreation Board. “It warms my heart to see this tree. I am very proud of this project.”
Getting a leaf inscribed costs $40. Rocks can be bought for $125. Proceeds will reimburse the recreation board, which bought the tree and materials.
They can accommodate 23 characters and spaces on each of three lines.
The person being honored does not have to be from Tarentum or have ties to the area.
Fox said the response to the tree has been good.
As soon as Larry Altman heard about the tree, he wanted to honor his father, Larry Altman, who died in 2007. The elder Altman was a volunteer fireman for 66 years in Creighton and Tarentum, and he served as both a fire chief and a councilman in Tarentum.
“I think it’s a pretty cool idea,” said Altman, who lives in Harris Township in Central Pennsylvania. “This will help my dad be remembered for a longer time.”
Altman said he plans to put “Larry Altman, Fire Chief-Councilman, It’s a Great Life” on the rock.
Doree Rossey is honoring her mother-in-law, Jane Rossey, who died of cancer in 2012.
“My mother-in-law was wonderful,” said Rossey, of Buffalo Township. “She grew up in Tarentum and everyone knew her. She was amazing. We miss her so much.”
Lydia Detman and husband Anthony Fuhrman of Shaler wanted to honor her parents, Marian and William Detman, and her grandparents, John and Pauline Pracko, who had a business in West Tarentum called Pracko’s Meats.
“This is such a nice way to have loved ones remembered,” Detman said.
Mary McBurney and Danial McBurney of Tarentum purchased leaves for both their parents, Georgia and Elmer Simmers and Celia and Ellwood McBurney.
“This is a wonderful thing they are doing,” Mary McBurney said. “They keep the park so nice. This park is a memorial park and honors veterans and fireman and now our loved ones.”
