In January we received correspondence from a couple in Shawnigan Lake stating that they were in possession of tiles that were originally from a grave in Ross Bay Cemetery.  It turns out that the tiles were given to them by Ms. Anita Bossi when she moved from her house on Quadra Street around 1998. Her hope was that they would find their way back to Ross Bay.

What could we say? Of course we would take possession of the tiles and try and figure out where they came from and what we could do with them. We have determined that they were originally installed on the Carlo Bossi grave (F41E21A) and were probably removed for a new burial in 1930 or 1931 and never re-installed.  Over the years some were lost, broken or buried. We received 250 marble and slate tiles which is not nearly enough to re-tile this large grave site. So, we have decided to use them to tile the Anita Bossi double plot (M60/61W05) near the caretakers shed in Block M.

The job of cleaning the old tiles (at 5 minutes each) is now complete and a new concrete top will be poured shortly to form a new base for the tiles. If all goes well, we should lay the tiles by the end of September. This is an exciting project for us and will fulfill Anita Bossi’s wish to return these tiles to Ross Bay Cemetery.

Laying the tiles was a bit of a challenge. It took some time to figure out the pattern that would work with the limited tiles we have. But in the end, we made it work.

It’s finished!!

In our last newsletter we described our summer 2021 restoration project in Ross Bay Cemetery. I am pleased to report that the project is completed. We hope that you will stop by and have a look at it on your next visit to the cemetery. (M60/61W05)

2021 Cleaning and Restoration

One of the most difficult repairs needed in the cemetery is a broken cross where one arm has been broken off. A frame has to be built and fitted to the cross in order to position the broken piece accurately and hold it in place while the bonding agent cures. After a couple of days, the supports can be removed and the voids filled. This is a marker that we repaired recently.

Cleaning is always a priority at Ross Bay Cemetery, especially tiled grave covers. They are prone to attracting moss and lichen which can damage the tiles. 

This summer we have taken on the restoration of the Parker-Ball fence (F27W21). In 2003/2004 the fence was totally removed, rebuilt and painted as a joint project with the Island Blacksmith Society. The last 16 years have not been kind to the iron fence and rust had started to show in many spots. It was decided that the best way to preserve it was to have it sandblasted (with glass), primed and repainted. Our hope is that this intervention will preserve it for many years to come.

Completed August 29th with the help of 20 volunteer hours of painting. A very tedious job! 

Each year we try and do some restorations and repairs. Here are a few that we will work on this year. Watch for the after pictures in the Fall.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Cleaning of graves has taken a back seat over the last few years. Our volunteers are getting older and most of them are no longer physically able to do this job. However we still try and do a few each summer. Here are a couple that we will work on this summer.

AFTER

NEW GRAVE MARKER

This year we have teamed up with Association Historique Francophone de Victoria to create and install a new grave marker for Leon Morel. His grave is located at C22W24 near the Bossi and Fee monuments. Leon Morel was an early pioneer of Victoria working for The Hudson’s Bay Co. In the 1840’s he was a Voyageur, Trapper, Builder, Peace Agent and Farmer. We anticipate completion and an unveiling to take place in late August.

This project was completed on September 6th with the unveiling of the marker on a French tour of Ross Bay Cemetery.

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