By Devon Cormier
Staff Writer

An architect's drawing shows the design for the memorial planned to honor Clifford Nyquist, the 15-year-old New Boston boy who died in a swimming accident in November. The monument will include a granite wall, flagpole and bricks engraved with messages. Money is now being raised for the memorial, which will be placed near what will soon be named the New Boston Memorial Ballfields. (Drawing courtesy of Windy Hill Associates)

NEW BOSTON – When voters entered the polls on Tuesday, March 8, they were most likely greeted by one of Clifford Nyquist's friends.

Friends of Nyquist, the 15- year-old who died in a swimming accident in early November, have found a way for the town to honor and remember him. Close to a dozen kids showed up at the polls early and took turns raising money for a memorial for him.

By 9 a.m., the boys had already raised over $1,000 selling bricks to be personalized and engraved and then placed in the memorial.

The memorial will be at the ball fields on Old Coach Road across from the transfer station. The fields were a popular spot for Nyquist and his friends, who say baseball was one of the star athlete's favorite sports.

"We have been driving to get something to represent what Cliff was all about and honor him," said friend Jon Salerno. "So we went to the recreation board and asked what to do."

The recreation department has been working with Nyquist's friends and an architect to create a memorial to honor the boy. Recreation Director Michael Sindoni said the memorial will be next to the playground at what will soon be named the New Boston Memorial Ballfields.

The memorial will be in the shape of a circle, made of granite and landscaped with trees, bushes and flowers. The bricks surrounding a flag pole and plaque in memory of Nyquist will be engraved with names or memories from donators.

"Cliff was involved in youth sports here," Sindoni said. "He came through the baseball program and the fields are where he was involved, so we thought that would be a good place. This was also a nice opportunity to name the fields."

The selectmen have seen the plans and support the memorial, as do Nyquist's parents.

Lee Nyquist, Cliff Nyquist's father, said the family appreciates all the work his son's friends have been doing to honor the boy.

"We're very humbled and blessed by what they're doing," said Lee Nyquist. "(Cliff's mother) Leslie and I have done no work except to be aware of and in support of his wonderful friends and the great cooperation from the selectmen and recreation members."

Salerno, who had been friends with Nyquist since they were in second grade, said the support they have received from the town has been wonderful.

Sindoni contacted a local architect who helped put the young group's ideas onto paper.

"We wanted to donate something to Cliff from the town," Salerno said. "We were thinking of something we could dedicate so we decided to go with the monument. We started a couple months ago and scheduled meetings each week with the town."

Sindoni said he hopes enough money will be raised through selling bricks to get the $50,000 memorial built by the opening day of baseball in May. Each brick comes for a minimum donation of $80 and Sindoni said that volunteers will also be needed for landscaping and maintenance work.

"I didn't know Cliff but I feel like I know him through his friends," said Sindoni. "He obviously touched a lot of people in his 15 years and now we are looking for people to step up and volunteer time or materials. This is a good opportunity to honor him and for his friends to learn the practice of volunteering, fundraising and community involvement. I look forward to helping them with that."

To buy a brick or make a donation, contact the New Boston Recreation Department at 487-5504, ext. 112, or mail donations made out to New Boston Memorial Ball Fields to P.O. Box 382, New Boston, NH 03070.

Nyquist died on Nov. 7 at Concord Hospital after he was pulled from the swimming pool in St. Paul's School in Concord where he was a sophomore. A straight-A student and star athlete, Nyquist was found unconscious in the water after a freeswim period. The death was ruled accidental. More than 1,000 people waited hours to pay their respects at Nyquist's wake.