Community pays homage to resident, replants 77 trees cut down by vandals

Residents of the Mirabella Florida community came together on Wednesday afternoon to replant trees after 77 were chopped down by vandals almost six months ago.

The event was also dedicated in memory to one of the new community’s first residents, Dick Fraser, who passed away in October at the age of 73.

A crowd of about 50 people came out to see the planting and dedication.

“He was the very first homeowner to do something for this community,” said developer Marshall Gobuty. “He did really crazy stuff with his yard, so it’s perfectly fitting to dedicate this event to him.”

Seventy-seven trees that lined the gated adult-community were slashed down by one or more vandals back in May. Residents were puzzled why anyone would want to chop down trees that were planted as a more eco-friendly option instead of fencing.

“Why would they do that? It’s about the worst thing a person could do,” Gobuty said. “To cut down a living thing that isn’t bothering anyone. ... I just don’t understand it.”

Each of the trees, Gobuty said, is named after a resident in the community.

But Fraser’s tree, which his widow, Judy, helped plant, is particularly special.

A plaque with an engraving of Fraser’s name sits in front of the tree and, Gobuty announced, will eventually include the logo of the New England Patriots, Fraser’s favorite football team.

Before Judy Fraser picked up a shovel to lay soil atop the new tree, she spoke to the crowd of neighbors and friends.

“You know, God sent us here,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “I didn’t want to lose Dick, but now I’m in a wonderful place that he was a part of. He helped me build our house from the ground up and he will always be there with me.”

Judy and Dick, who were married for 32 years, moved down from Boston to Bradenton in 2002. Judy said she plans to spread some of Dick’s ashes in the soil of his tree.

“The people here have been so, so nice,” she said. “And this means so much to me because he is truly a part of this. It just means so much.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2017 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Community pays homage to resident, replants 77 trees cut down by vandals."