Neighbors Remembered in Brentwood Park

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Susan

Since 2010, three park benches have been placed and 15 trees have been planted by neighbors in honor or in memory of special family members, neighbors, and friends.

Benches

Renald Ferrovecchio, 43, died in a gas explosion in his Payne Avenue home on January 9, 2012. In his memory, neighbors raised funds for a purple martin house near the eastern edge of the park. Friends of Brentwood Park coordinated the installation, and the house was dedicated April 1, 2012. A memorial bench, installed near the purple martin house, was dedicated on Renald’s birthday, October 5, 2013. Members of his family, who live out of town, and many neighbors attended both events.

Longtime Brentwood neighbors Sidney Paschal Shelton, 85, and his wife, Billie Jean Wier Shelton, 83, died tragically in their home on December 15, 2014. Six days later, family members, friends, and neighbors attended a ceremony honoring the Sheltons at the Brentwood Park pavilion and dedicated the annual lighting of the Arroyo Seco luminarias to their memory. Neighbors raised funds for a memorial bench honoring the Sheltons, installed in 2015 between the playscape and baseball diamond in Brentwood Park.

David L. Sikes, a Brentwood neighbor for 45 years, was a founding member and president of the Brentwood Neighborhood Association and worked to improve the basketball court and sidewalk at Brentwood Park, among other contributions to the neighborhood and beyond. David, 80, passed away October 1, 2013. His family donated funds for a memorial bench, which was installed September 2014 in the northeast corner of Brentwood Park.

—Susan Burneson

Trees

Friends of Brentwood Park coordinated a historic planting of 100 trees in the park, held on November 6, 2010. In addition, neighbors contributed funds for and helped plant 15 dedicated trees. (You can view the film about the event, We Planted 115 Trees, and a separate video clip about the dedications here.)

In honor of Ruby Josephine Airhart, by Emily Wilson and Nancy Yelle. To them, Ruby represents the importance of caring for the park for the future of the community.

In honor of Lynnette Alley, by Susan Burneson, Michele Holt, Karen Lorenzini, and Hedrich Michaelsen. Lynnette has been an inspiration to them in the depth of knowledge she brings to the local gardening community.

In memory of Vernon Bruce, by his niece, Wendy LeBlanc-Arbuckle.

In memory of Eugene Bushacker and in honor of Evangeline Bushacker, by Lynnette Alley. The Bushackers were original residents of Crestview and remembered this neighborhood when there were no trees.

In memory of Milton “Pee Pop” Gebhard, by the Freng family and the Samuelson family. “Pee Pop” became Mr. Gebhard’s nickname when the Frengs’ son couldn’t pronounce his name. He was a great friend to both families. The Frengs also donated a tree in honor of the park.

In memory of Liz Yargo Grafe, by Monte Smith. Liz was deeply faithful and a loving friend.

In honor of Finnigan Holt, by his parents, Michele and Jack Holt. Finn is looking forward to harvesting nuts from the pecan tree they planted together.

In memory of L. L. Lankford, by his wife, Margaret Lankford. The Lankfords were longtime residents of the neighborhood.

In memory of Madeleine May and in honor of Alaina May, her younger sister, by their parents, Richard and Kelli May.

In memory of Chris Noffsinger, by friends and neighbors Michelle Andrews and Clark Cornwell, Diane and Howard Bennett, Susan and Rob Burneson, Diane and Fernando Gorchs, Cheryl Goveia and Greg Cumpton, Billie Herron, Debora Morris, and Gregg Tatum. Chris grew up in the neighborhood. He was gregarious and loved by all.

In memory of Charles Peyton, by Darlene Hernandez. Charles was her good friend.

In memory of Grace Teixeira Ramsey, by her parents, Carol and Sean Ramsey.

In honor of Jose David Shepperd, by his parents, Ann and Juan Shepperd.

In memory of John Sundberg, by Ann Rayborn. John was her good friend and neighbor.

—Denman Glober