Halloween merriment courtesy of a funeral home??!! John Heyer, II of Scotto Funeral Home exhibited his annual community-minded Halloween spirit today on the corner of Court Street and First Place. John, decked out as Count Dracula, assisted by his dad, John Heyer, Sr., dispensed candy treats out of an antique carved casket. Behind him was his "mummy-in-law," Francesca Reca, dressed as an ethereal ghost popping out of yet another casket. John's 80+ year-old grandfather, Pat Bruno, wearing his trademark cowboy hat, stood in front of a scary blow-up monster-driven black horse and carriage. Music from Phantom of the Opera played in the background while droves of kids stopped by for the treats and adults paused to take it all in. Of course, lots of picture taking ensued.
You might think this is an unusual activity for a funeral director to engage in but then maybe you don't know John Heyer. Being a funeral director does not mean that you have to be uptight or serious all the time. You can rest (no pun intended) assured that John is serious when the situation calls for serious but when Halloween rolls around, it's time for fun. And with the whole Heyer family getting into the act, the result is a great deal of enjoyment for our Carroll Gardens neighborhood. According to John, the Halloween festivities are "meant to be fun for the kids while staying respectful of the dead which is why it is done on Court Street and not in front of or in the funeral home."
Be sure to include the corner near Scotto Funeral Home on your trick-or-treat route next year; they put on quite an otherworldly show that will not disappoint!
