Rooted in Service and Reviving History at a Local Cemetery

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Tony Susco. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

At the heart of the Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery, Tony Susco is an animated force driving preservation, beauty and community spirit. As a longtime volunteer, he dedicates his time and energy to transforming the cemetery into a welcoming, well-maintained historical site. His “Wake and Rake” program has become a staple, gathering volunteers multiple mornings a week to rake leaves, trim trees, clean pathways and tend to gravestones. His consistent leadership and dedication have made the once-overgrown space a peaceful and vibrant environment.

Tony’s passion for conservation goes beyond basic groundskeeping. He introduced pollinator gardens throughout the cemetery, creating a thriving habitat for butterflies and birds. His eye for sustainable solutions even led to the use of goats and sheep to manage thick grass in hard-to-reach areas. As the cemetery’s volunteer coordinator, Tony also manages a diverse group of regular and one-time volunteers. Whether it’s guiding newcomers or motivating seasoned helpers, Tony ensures each hour spent at the cemetery contributes to the site’s preservation and dignity.

In addition to overseeing volunteers, Tony (affectionately known throughout the community as “Dancing Tony”) serves as the events coordinator, helping to bring new life to the historic space. He supports community events and fundraisers that not only raise money for upkeep but also draw attention to the cemetery’s rich cultural and historical significance. Through concerts, seasonal events and educational tours, Tony helps connect residents to local history in engaging, memorable ways.

Tony’s 15-hour weekly volunteer commitment is helping ensure that the Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery is not just a resting place, but a living testament to community care, heritage and environmental stewardship. Read on to learn more of his story.

What inspired you to get started with volunteering at the cemetery?

I initially was involved with the historic cemetery because I throw a Halloween fundraiser there each year called “Ghosts of Uncle Joe’s.” It’s one of our biggest events and allows us to raise funds for the cemetery, which is completely maintained and run by volunteers.

I got more involved in the actual maintenance of the cemetery during COVID because a lot of the work that was being done there was being done by corporate volunteers. Once COVID struck, we lost a lot of that volunteer power. Sadly, our executive director also passed in 2020. So we all had to step in and fill different roles, which is how I got more and more involved.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

I’m the volunteer events coordinator at the cemetery. I also help with maintenance. We host an event that we call “Wake and Rake” on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and then we also do special corporate and large group volunteer groups. I always like to say, we have tasks for all shades of green thumbs. Things are always growing at the cemetery.

Why is this issue so important to you?

When I first got involved at the cemetery as an event promoter, hosting the Halloween fundraiser there, I started spending a lot of time there. It’s beautiful. It’s a historic cemetery that dates back to the 1830’s. It has some of the earliest notable people in Jersey buried there. That’s how I initially got involved, as an event promotor. I had found out though other people that the cemetery was hosting live music events.

Before parks existed, cemeteries were places for people to gather, for picnics and other things. People would go see their loved ones who had passed and then have picnics in the cemetery. I was having this Halloween concert at an art space, and we had many issues with city agencies – police, firefighters, zoning and more. So that was the catalyst, moving the event. The first year we did the event, we raised about $4,000 for the cemetery’s foundation. Last year, we raised upwards of about $40,000. It’s probably the biggest event we have there, fundraising-wise.

As for the maintenance of the cemetery, my partner is really involved with the historical garden boxes there. These are garden boxes of people who’ve been deceased for over 100 years, so they’re not necessarily getting taken care of by loved ones anymore. We’re constantly picking up plants and growing stuff there. She’s also behind the monarch butterfly station. Another thing we do is host goats and sheep, which is what we’ll be doing for the next few months. It’s great that we’ve been able to restore life to this historic cemetery.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

A lot of it for us is that when we’re doing the landscaping and maintenance, we’re reclaiming the areas that have dealt with some really heavy overgrowth. Every gravestone has a story, so when it’s covered up, the story is hidden. It’s a good feeling of accomplishment to be able to recover the visibility of those stories, as well as contribute to the overall beauty of the cemetery. When we have an opportunity to restore a gravesite or an area, it’s really rewarding.

Tell us about the Halloween event.

Well since it’s in a cemetery, it’s the easiest party for me to decorate! It’s a two-day event with local bands who cover other bands. The guys who did Beach Boys five years ago reached out and asked if they could reprise their role this year. Sometimes it’s key when someone passes, people change their submission.

In addition to Ghosts of Uncle Joe’s, at the end of this month, since we’re hosting the goats and sheep, we’re hosting something we’re calling “Goat-chella.” It’s also a two-day music festival of more original local bands.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

I’ve been in Jersey City for 30 years. It’s become a part of my life in the community here. This is a cause I really care about, and it’s great that it meshes with what I do as an event promoter.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Don’t be scared to go. The importance of volunteers can’t be underestimated. Just getting there and showing up is 75% of the effort. And it’s great because you’re working with like-minded individuals so you’re likely walking into a group of people who will become your friends.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Tony? Find local volunteer opportunities.