Mentor Cemetery's Pump House Gets New Life

It took Bryan Daly more than 200 hours of labor and $4,500 in building materials to renovate the 157-year-old Pump House at Mentor Municipal Cemetery.

Bryan, 15, a student and Boy Scout of Troop 280, decided to rebuild the aging pump house for his Eagle Scout project.

During a dedication ceremony Wednesday afternoon, Bryan was quick to point out that his ambitious project would not have been possible without the help and support from his family, friends, Mentor city officials, Troop 280 Boy Scouts and leaders, as well as several businesses.

"As soon as I started on the preparation work for this Eagle Scout project, I realized it was going to be a lot of work," Bryan told a group of about 40 people who attended the dedication ceremony. "Now, several months later, I am standing here amazed at how much you can accomplish. I received a huge amount of help on this project, and for this, I am eternally grateful."

Bryan and his family organized the pump house dedication ceremony to thank those who made the Eagle Scout project possible.

Bryan got the idea to renovate the pump house from Mitch Babcock, owner of Davis-Babcock Funeral Home. The pump house, located in the rear of the cemetery, was built in 1854. For years, the building pumped water throughout the cemetery to maintain the landscaping. The pump house is now used as a storage building.

Bryan raised nearly $1,300 from family and friends to buy materials for the project.

The renovation project included a new metal roof installed by Harbor Roofing Co. of Painesville, which donated all of the labor and materials. A new door, donated by Mentor Lumber, was professionally installed by Jason Link and Todd Jenkins of Marous Brothers Construction Co. of Mentor. They also installed the building's shingle siding. The building's metal threshold was donated by Rick Boehm of James C. Boehm Co.

In addition to installing new windows and painting them, Bryan and other Boy Scouts washed 157 years of built-up dirt, grime and mold from the building's exterior stone walls. The Scouts also cleaned out the building's interior and organized it.

After the building's renovation was completed, Bryan said he felt a great sense of relief and accomplishment.

"It's been a lot of work, a lot of hard work," said Bryan. "But I'm glad it's done."

Bryan thanked Mentor City officials Ron Hickox, director of Mentor Municipal Cemetery, Bob Martin, director of Mentor Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities, Bruce McIntyre, scoutmaster of Mentor Troop 280, John Marics, assistant scout master of Mentor Troop 280 and the Boy Scouts of Mentor Troop 280.

Bryan also had special words of thanks for his father, Ted Daly, who spent many hours working on the project.

"If it weren’t for him, I honestly don’t believe this building would have gotten done," Bryan said.