River Bend Cemetery Statues

John DeRocchi, talented statue cutter, lived at 83 John Street.  Just across Granite St from this house, he cut a delicate statue that would mark his own grave.  After cutting stone all day long, he would work on this lovely statue in a chicken coop where Chen’s restaurant is now located.  It is said that his wife would not let him smoke in the house, so he and his friend Mansuette Comolli would gather in the chicken coop to smoke, talk and cut stone. 

Detail of the drape of the robe, the feet and sandals.

© 2012 Babcock-Smith House Museum