Park named for Upchurch

Park named for Upchurch

Former mayor served in state Legislature

By PETER GUINTA
peter.guinta@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 01/27/09


St. Augustine City Commission on Monday night named its newest park after the late Hamilton Upchurch, a local attorney who served 10 years in the Florida Legislature and a former city mayor who became a beloved community leader for many years.

Commissioner Don Crichlow said the city has often named parks, facilities and roads for outstanding residents, citing the existing Joe Pomar Park, Eddie Vickers Park, Red Cox Road and Willie Galimore Center.

"There aren't many opportunities we have to name a facility for individuals who have given a lifetime to this community," Crichlow said.

Other names suggested by commissioners for the still-unfinished $450,000 park included Barack Obama Park, Coquina Park, Davis Shores Park, Fire Station Park, Gus Craig Park, Kenneth Beason Park, Leon Shimer Park, Old Quarry Memorial Park, Old Quarry Park and Remembrance Park.

The commissioners chose their three top picks. That tally ended in a tie between Upchurch and Craig. A runoff secured Upchurch's name as the city's choice.

Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline said that, in the early 1980s, Upchurch encouraged the Junior Service League to complete the renovation of Lighthouse Park, then found some money in the Legislature to get them started.

"He believed we could do it, so we did," she said.

The suggestion to call the facility Remembrance Park came after a discussion of how the city could memorialize young skaters whose lives had ended too soon.

Speaking on behalf of that name was Phillip McDaniel, president of the St. Johns County Cultural Council. He is also a friend of the families of Brent Angyalfy, Patrick Ross and Ole Weiss, all young St Augustine residents who perished before they reached their mid-twenties.

"The families are asking that a memorial wall or monument be constructed either at the skate area entrance of within the skate area itself," McDaniel said. "The purpose is to memorialize those who loved to skate and exemplified good sportsmanship and allow their memory to serve as a role model for all who enter the skate area."

The families would bear the cost of building the wall and of the plaques bearing the men's names, he said.

"They would like to work with city staff to design, construct and install the memorial. Mr. Angyalfy is a general contractor and an expert mason," McDaniel said. "It would mean a great deal if you can work with us on this."

He said the families also want the skate area to reflect an attitude of joy and fun.

On a motion by Mayor Joe Boles, the commission voted unanimously to approve the families working with city staff to design the wall.

Brent Angyalfy, 22, died Dec. 20 in a diving accident. W. Patrick Ross, 18, died Jan. 20, 2004, after an automobile accident. Teenagers Ole Weiss and Neil Martincak died in 1989 when their car was knocked off the Bridge of Lions by a drunk driver.

On Monday night, Susan Ross, Patrick's mother, said, "We are confident that the memorial will honor our sons. When you have a loss, you want to help each other heal. Patrick would be very excited that the kids will have a place to skate."

Anne Weiss, Ole's mother, said she was glad her son will be part of the memorial.

"Thanks to the Angyalfy and Ross families, Phil McDaniel and the City Commissioners for making this possible," she said, "To all the amazing friends who sent letters of support, I'm humbled and very grateful."



Upchurch: 'A man of his word'

Hamilton Upchurch was a former prosecutor, St. Augustine mayor and city commissioner as well as a general practice attorney.

His family described him as being gentle, supportive and encouraging. He was also a rabid Gator fan, woodworker and pilot.

He earned his wings as a bomber pilot in the Army Air Corps, but the war was over before he got to it.

He graduated from the University of Florida with a law degree in 1948 and in 1960 became a prosecutor.

In 1978 he ran for the District 20 legislative seat that was being vacated by Gus Craig and served until 1988.

His son, Tracy Upchurch, won the seat in 1992 and served until 1996.

Friends said he gave a lot of his time helping people, both financially and by donating his legal services.

"But you'd never know it," one said. "He never spoke about it."

Flagler College honored him with the "Hamilton Upchurch Award for Academic Excellence."

In 2001, he worked hard to become certified in helicopters, which he did.

Upchurch, 82, died Jan. 8, 2008, at his home in St. Augustine.



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