A place to remember them
Bench dedicated to four family members lost in 2016 fire
Commemorative bench and trees unveiled at Port Colborne park for family lost in fire
Like so many others in Port Colborne, the mayor can recall the events of Dec. 14, 2016 with chilling detail.
“I remember being at the fire that night,” said mayor John Maloney. “Other than the crackling of the fire, you could hear a pin drop. No one was saying a word. Every person there was just, awestruck, by what was happening.”
People gathered and watched, in horror, hoping that the worst wasn’t true. Those hopes were soon dashed when firefighters found the bodies of two children, their mother, and grandmother.
“Our community rallied together to support the family after that tragic incident, and we continue to support them to this day,” said Maloney during a ceremony held on Saturday to mark the unveiling of a commemorative bench and trees which have been installed at the East Village Park in the family's honour.
Four lives were lost that night (Samantha Zuvic, 15, Josh Zuvic, 2, their mom Tammy Burd, and grandmother Eva Burd) and now people have a place to sit and reflect on those lives at the new park instillation.
“We wanted a place where Sammy’s friends could come and think, and remember her,” said
Ruth Rozic, the children’s aunt. “So this is perfect.”
The children’s father, Joe Zuvic, did not attend the ceremony, but his sister-in-law Ruth read a letter he wrote.
“I hope you all remember my family as the fun-loving people they were, not as a statistic from a horrible fire,” wrote Joe in the letter.
The children’s grandmother, Geraldine Zuvic, read a poem, To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me, at the ceremony, which was attended by about 50 members of the community. Attendees brought food for Port Cares and made donations to go to fire prevention efforts in the city.