Fishermen’s Memorial Service planned

Families and friends of fishermen lost at sea are invited to attend a meeting, 6 p.m., May 12 at the Nature Center, 1600 Delaware Ave., Cape May, to plan a memorial service for fishermen lost at sea and to discuss the Cape May Fishermen’s Memorial.
Anyone interested in the fishing industry or Cape May community is invited to attend.
The meeting will discuss a Blessing of the Waters ceremony and memorial service being planned for 7 p.m. June 19 as the kick-off event of Cape May’s annual Harbor Fest.
For the past few years the Nature Center has been assisting with the care of the Fishermen’s Memorial.
“The Nature Center is organizing this meeting with the goal of forming a ‘Friends of the Cape May Fishermen’s Memorial Committee,’ said Gretchen Ferrante, sanctuary director. “Many family members come and use the park at the memorial. We would like to offer to the families a vehicle to participate in the Park’s management and to use it more fully.”
Another goal of the group will be various fundraising activities to establish scholarships and maintenance of the Memorial.
“With the recent loss of the Lady Mary and six of its crew, the Fishermen’s Memorial we built over 20 years ago will unfortunately become a sanctuary for more families,” said Jeff Reichle, president of the Garden State Seafood Association.
Reichle thanked Ferrante for taking a leadership role to bring families and friends together to continue the efforts started many years ago to make sure families who have lost loved one’s at sea, would have fitting memorial.
Interested parties can attend the May 12 meeting, or can contact Ferrante at 609-898-8848 or via e-mail at gretchen.ferrante@njaudubon.org.