Douglas Russian Orthodox Cemetery

Established ca. 1916
Number of Burials: 40
Number of Grave Markers: 14

Acreage: .12 acres (5,000 sq. ft.)

Site Description: The cemetery is rectangular in shape. It is located on a gently sloping site overgrown with vegetation. No evidence of a fence was found.

This cemetery was though to be a part of the Catholic Cemetery however two oral history sources claim that it was a separate cemetery for the Russian Orthodox. There was no specific establishment date found but the earliest marker was 1916. The majority of the burials were between 1926 and 1957.

There are approximately 40 burial sites in the cemetery with 14 identifiable markers. Some of the burial sites have low concrete walls surrounding the plot. Most markers are seriously deteriorated.

Some of the persons buried in this cemetery are:

Battello, Luigi

Benson, Frances ~ died 26 Jan 1915

Bowman, Thomas J. ~ Born in Douglas on December 17, 1887, died on May 3, 1957. He was a carpenter by trade and was a charter member of the Douglas Camp of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and served as president for nine years. He was a veteran of the Battle of Kiska during World War II. He and his wife Sarah owned a house in the Douglas Native Village on Sandy Beach.

Coffin, Francis A. ~ 29 Apr 1894 - 24 Oct 1913

Hemmiger, George ~ died 05 Jan 1916

Marshall, Jack ~ Born in the Taku River area, died on June 24, 1945. He was a fisherman and a respected member of the Alaska Native Brotherhood.

Shorty, Thomas ~ Born in 1894, died on September 9, 1926. He was a well known fisherman and said to be one of the most honorable and well liked natives on Douglas Island. He was reportedly of the Raven clan. His wife, Susie, was Wooshkeetaan of the Eagle clan.

Williams, Tom ~ died 19 Jun 1944

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