WEST mILFORD On September 12, 1957 Gerry Benedict, just a few days short of his eleventh birthday, was riding his bike to church, where he was to serve that day as an altar boy. On his way, he was struck by a car and died. Today, in his memory, a three foot tall replica of the well known statue “Pieta,” by Michelangelo, graces the grounds of Saint Joseph Church, a recent gift from the Benedict family. Raymond Benedict well remembers his parent’s great faith and inner strength as they dealt with this crushing blow, the death of his brother. “Their loss never lessened their devotion to God or His Blessed Mother” he said. In fact, they identified to strongly with the Mother of God, who knew the pain of losing a child, that their adoration became a permanent part of their lives. “Who better would know about such things as much as the Blessed Mother” Benedict said. “The Pieta’ symbolizes the greatest of all love, that of a parent and child and we hope, in some way, that it will bring comfort and peace” said Benedict. The statue, dedicated to Benedict’s parents, William and Eleanor Benedict, both deceased, as well as his brother Gerry, was received by Rev. Sigmund Peplowski, pastor of Saint Joseph Church and has been placed on the lawn in a small garden area near the side entrance to the Church.