City provides place on square for crash memorial

Chardon Square once again is being used as a place for the community to unite in the face of tragedy.

Chardon Square once again is being used as a place for the community to unite in the face of tragedy.

The evening of June 6 — hours after a car crash took the life of a local teen and critically injured another — a number of students gathered to grieve the loss of Dominic Ricci, 18, of Middlefield, and pray for the recovery of Jackson Condon, 17 of Chardon. Condon died June 7, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Many left candles and other items in the gazebo as a makeshift memorial.

“It is a great honor that the gazebo can be used as a gathering place for comfort,” said Rebecca Repasky, Chardon vity administrative assistant.

The city is providing tables for people to place items in memory of the Chardon High School graduates. Candles, flowers and signs left in the gazebo were relocated to a picnic table next to Bohl Memorial (the former fountain on the square).

“Unfortunately, we could not keep the items in the gazebo, because there is going to be a wedding and our Friday Night Concert,” Repasky said.

She expressed condolences on behalf of the city.

“We do not wish to discourage any gatherings or items to be brought up to the square,” she said. “We know it to be a place of solitude and comfort.

“Additionally, we will not throw away any items, in case the (families) would like to have it.”

Family members may contact Repasky at 440286-2610 or rrepasky@chardon.cc.

COURTESY OF THE CITY OF CHARDON Some examples of the community outpouring for the crash victims who died following a June 6 crash in Chardon Township.