Paul Lajeunesse is new Kincardine cemetery manager

Paul Lajeunesse (above right, with Terry Weber) of Kincardine is the new cemetery manager for the Municipality of Kincardine.

The 45-year-old married father of three, took over from long-time cemetery manager Terry Weber who retired at the end of October.

A parks employee for the past three years, Lajeunesse worked with Weber during that time and learned a lot about proper management of the cemeteries in Kincardine, Tiverton and Port Bruce.

"I actually started training for this job Sept. 19, and Terry (Weber) gave me the reins right away," said Lajeunesse. "I'm enjoying it. And if I have any questions, I can call him."

Besides maintenance of the cemeteries, including grass-cutting and keeping the tombstones in good condition, Lajeunesse is also responsible for selling plots in the Kincardine cemetery. Donna Doern sells the plots in the Tiverton and Port Bruce cemeteries.

"It's an interesting job," said Lajeunesse. "We get tourists coming to the cemeteries looking for their ancestors, and we help them find the tombstone or marker. We often have people here from the United States and we help them find their family members who are buried here."

Lajeunesse has one employee, Les Kempers, working with him, as well as students in the summer time.

Meanwhile, Weber, 70, said he was ready to retire, "and do what Terry wants to do," including playing pool.

A 26-year employee of Kincardine (formerly with the Town of Kincardine), he has been cemetery manager for 21 years.

He said the biggest changes have been the increase in cremation plots, and the introduction of the columbarium, with two in Kincardine and one in Tiverton.

Weber said it was time to retire and he is confident in handing the reins over to Lajeunesse.

"I have lots of work to do at home," he said.

He and his wife, Ellen, have three children and six grandchildren.