Station nightclub memorial, a place of peace

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CRANSTON — As plans move forward for a permanent memorial in nearby West Warwick to remember the victims of the 2003 Station nightclub fire, which claimed the lives of 100 concert-goers and injured hundreds, there is another memorial that was erected shortly after the tragedy on hallowed ground that honors the victims.

Along tree-lined roads and situated on more than 191 acres overlooking Randall, Dyer, and the Print Works ponds, St. Ann Cemetery is home to a large monument carved with the name of each individual who perished in the fire.

A 13-foot-tall angel guards the 100 names inscribed on the monument. To ease the emotional and financial burdens following the tragedy, the diocese offered burial for the victims at St. Ann or any other diocesan cemetery at no cost to the families. A total of 26 individuals who perished in the fire are buried at the cemetery, seven at the memorial site.

When Anna Gruttadauria visits the St. Ann memorial, she feels at peace. Her daughter Pamela, 33, was the 100th victim of the Station nightclub fire.

“To me that memorial at the cemetery is so beautiful and peaceful,” she said. “The cemetery really keeps it up. It looks gorgeous all the time. I go there and I just feel this peace coming over me.”

She said that she is glad that Raymond Villanova, owner of the former Station nightclub site, has donated the land on which the former nightclub stood to the Station Fire Memorial Foundation (SFMF), but her memorial for Pam is at St. Ann Cemetery.

“I'm glad that Mr. Villanova gave the land to the Station memorial, but for me the cemetery is the spot I go to – that’s Pam's memorial.”

On March 23, 2003, only one month after the deadly fire, a plot of land was dedicated at St. Ann Cemetery for the monument – the first in the state.

It would take another four years to complete the memorial, which was established to be a quiet, reflective space, said Father Anthony Verdelotti, diocesan director of the Catholic Cemeteries Office.

“We wanted a space where people could go up and touch the memorial, touch the names of those who died,” he said. “We made it so that it’s sectioned off completely so it's more like a park area where people can go and pray with their loved ones.”

Father Verdelotti shared that families are always welcome to visit and remember their loved ones.

“I don't know how well-known it is, but it gives a lot of peace to those who come and visit,” he explained. “Especially with the angel, they can feel that their loved ones are being watched over. I would encourage any family to come and pray.”

Arthur Lurgio, associate director for Catholic Cemeteries, said the department received much support from the victims’ families as they developed the St. Ann memorial.

“It’s a place where people can come and hopefully find some comfort and solace,” said Lurgio. “You can sit there in the quiet with your thoughts and prayers. We wanted to find a way to memorialize all those poor souls. From the very beginning, land was set aside in the cemetery, knowing that we would do something.”

The dedication of the land at St. Ann for the memorial was well attended, said Lurgio, who recalled that it was a powerful day for families of the victims.

“All of these people, with all of this sorrow, all in one place. It was indescribable,” he said.

After nearly a decade since the tragedy, Gruttadauria says that she feels that Pamela watches over her and her presence gives her peace.

“I feel like she’s with me,” she said. “I can't believe that it's almost been 10 years. The time just went by so quick. It seems like it just happened. You have to live each day as it comes. You just have to find that peace in your heart.”

Lurgio said the generosity of the local business community in building the St. Ann memorial has been overwhelming, noting that most of the materials were either donated or discounted. He said that A. Sciolto & Sons Monuments donated the monument and Nardolillo Funeral Home donated the angel.

Lurgio shared that even for those who work at St. Ann cemetery, the memorial is a powerful remembrance of so many lives cut short. They willingly give the site extra tender loving care, he said.

“The guys get to know the families,” said Lurgio. “If you visit the cemetery, it’s in great shape. They really, really take care of it.”

There are always flowers and always people visiting, said Michael Monigan, who has worked for the Catholic Cemeteries Office for the past 32 years, and is the foreman at St. Ann. Monigan shared that once the monument was established, the families were thrilled.

“I think they were ecstatic that it happened and all the names of all the people were on it,” he said. “I don’t even know if other people know that. It’s in the back part of the cemetery and it’s tranquil down there.”

Cheryl Accinno, office operations coordinator for diocesan cemeteries, said that she understands why it is important for families to have a memorial at the site. She added that the memorial at St. Ann is an option that provides a quiet place of reflection for families.

“It gives them an alternative if it’s too difficult to be at the location of the fire,” she said. “It’s a place to go see the love one’s names, say a prayer and think of a fond memory.”

According to a statement released last week by the SFMF, the foundation that seeks to build a memorial at the site of the fire, the group has “worked tirelessly toward a singular goal. It has been our intent that the foundation would procure the land known as the Station Site and not only build but maintain an eventual memorial that will remain for hundreds of years to come.”