Twenty-five years after Craig Richard was killed while riding a bicycle at the age of 15, family and friends gathered on June 22 to put flowers and a collage near the maple tree planted in his memory at Freeport High School.

It might be the last time the group marks the anniversary of his death at the tree.

The maple could be in the way of a new canopy and waiting area in front of the school that is planned as part of the Freeport High School renovations.

More could be known on Wednesday, July 8, when the Freeport High School Building Advisory Committee meets at the school to continue its work on the $14.8 million renovation plans. Richard’s mother, Jennifer Downs of Freeport, and her family will be at the meeting, which begins at 8 a.m.

Downs has been in touch with Regional School Unit 5 officials, who have told her they don’t yet know what will be done with the tree, which is marked by a small, engraved stone at its foot. It reads: “In Memory of Craig Richard, 1-22-75 – 6-22-90. Friend and classsmate.”

“They have only just realized that it was a memorial tree,” Downs said. “There is some discussion about cutting it down. My voice will be heard, because we don’t want anything to happen to it.”

Sharon Richard was 17 when her brother was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on Wardtown Road.

“I miss him every day,” she said. “Everybody loved him. He was a star athlete – skiing, soccer, baseball. He went to church and he was friend with everybody, and never stopped smiling.”

“This is the first year we’ve done this,” Downs said. “Because of the issues of the renovation, we thought it would be nice to have a little get-together tonight. Some of his classmates could come and remember the good times.”

John Simoneau, chairman of the Freeport High School Advisory Committee, said that the issue of the memorial tree will be on the July 8 committee agenda.

“We’re working on some various options that will be coming to the committee,” Simoneau said. “We’ve asked the architect to report some options to the meeting.”

Bob Hanna, one of Richard’s best friends, believes there should be no options.

“My class planted this tree and (school officials) said this was the best spot because there it would never be touched,” Hanna said.

Family and friends gathered by a maple tree planted in Craig Richard’s memory in front of Freeport High School, on June 22, the 25th anniversary of his death in a bicycling accident. From left are Richard’s mother, Jennifer Downs; his niece, Jenna Richard; and his sister, Sharon Richard.Staff photo by Larry Grard