North Delta Cemetery is a small cemetery with many historic Norwegian graves. Originally much more secluded when it was dedicated in 1919, the area around the cemetery has now been developed. It is separated from Brooke Elementary by only a chain link fence. Many founding families of the old communities of Sunbury and Annieville lay here, including some names you may be familiar with, such as Gunderson and Mackie.
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On September 25, 2010, 15-year-old Laura Szendrei was walking through Mackie Park, on her way to meet up with friends. A man came behind her, and hit her over the head with an iron bar when she tried to struggle free. Laura passed away in the hospital the following day. A memorial was placed at the entrance of Mackie Park in remembrance. Laura was a well loved member of the community, and a good friend to many.
Simon Fraser was a Scottish explorer and fur trader who charted much of BC. Simon Fraser also started the first European Settlement in British Columbia. The Fraser River was named after him.
Alex Fraser was a politician in the late 1900s. He served as BC’s transportation minister for 11 years. Due to throat cancer, he had to resign a few months before his death in 1989. The Alex Fraser Bridge is named in his honour. Samantha Mantyka was a student at Gibson Elementary. She was known for her brilliant smile that brought light into everyone’s day. In 2009, Samantha was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Through everything, she stayed positive, continued to smile and laugh. Sam’s positivity was a beacon of light in dark times to those around her. In the summer of 2010, Sam was deemed cancer-free. However, it was soon discovered that the cancer had spread to her spine. In the summer of 2011, when Samantha was about to start grade 6, she lost her battle with cancer. A bench has been placed on the property of Gibson Elementary in her memory, with an outstanding view of the field below.
Ron MacDonald was born in Vancouver, on October 12, 1932. He was raised in the Sapperton neighbourhood of New Westminister, but has lived in North Delta for the last 25 years. Ron was a long time member of a local plumber and pipefitter union, UA Local 170. He was known for his great sense of humour, and could always bring laughter to his friends and family. After he retired, he would spend much of his days at Sungod Recreation Center with his friends, swimming or training for walks/runs. On July 15, 2008, Ron lost his battle with cancer and heart disease. A bench was installed at Sungod in his honour.
Clifford Wright was a 12-year-old boy from North Delta. On September 7, 1996, a drunk driver who ran a red light hit the Wright family's car, throwing Clifford out the passenger window into the front of a pickup truck. Clifford was an exceptional student at Gray Elementary, just starting grade 7, and played as goalkeeper for the Delta Atom B1 Sundemons hockey team. The cross above marks the location of the crash.
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