John Kolkanis

This tiny headstone on the North Ridge (not far from the G.A.R. plot) is fairly unique.  It includes a photograph of the deceased;  such headstone photos are not common in the Rural Cemetery, though I have seen a few other examples in other local cemeteries such as Calvary in Glenmont.

The grave belongs to one John Kolkanis, though his name is spelled "Colcanis" on the stone.  He was born in Greece and, at the time of his death, resided at 469 Delaware Avenue (near the corner with Whitehall Road).  The burial record lists his cause of death as "Drowned in the Hudson River," but search of local newspapers didn't reveal any any additional details.

The Hamilton Cross In Black & White

I occasionally post "Throwback Thursday" photos at a Facebook page and website I manage so I decided to look through some of the photos I took at the Rural Cemetery in the early to mid-1990s. 

At the time, I think I was more interested in just taking cool photos that actually documenting the Cemetery, though I was already percolating the idea of writing a book on the subject.

The photo about is the ornate Hamilton family monument by Marcus T. Reynolds.