Fourteen years old and afflicted with Autism, Anthony was a friendly kid known throughout Waterford. He lived near the town docks and operated a donation stand in front of his house to collect money for local charities.
On Wednesday morning before we arrived, Anthony made his daily visit to the Waterford Visitor’s Center and asked for a copy of a Hidden Treasures notice posted on the bulletin board. The poster was an ad for attic antiques to sell at a local consignment store. A short time later Anthony set off for a park next to the Erie Canal lock on his bicycle announcing that he was going to hunt for treasure.
Late Wednesday afternoon, a few hours after we arrived, we learned that Anthony was missing and that his clothes were found near his bike and next to the water in the park. An all-out search continued into the night and continuing on Thrursday. Fire boats, a police boat, a Forest Service air boat, and townspeople in kayaks made up an armada scouring the river while a helicopter and a drone searced from above. Dozens of volunteers walked the banks of the river calling Anthony’s name. All the while river traffic was stopped and the locks were closed.
Anthony was found late Thursday afternoon by Sheriff’s divers. It appeared he had waded out toward a small island, stepped off into an old barge channel and drowned in 7 feet of water. Anthony was 5’8" tall.
All of Waterford was in mourning that evening and we passersby who witnessed the drama from our boats shared their sadness.
