Peacock memorial fountain earns is wings in Winter Park

A yearlong journey of healing and hard work came to end on Dec. 18 as Life Scout John Michael Thomas and the family of Elizabeth Buckley unveiled a shimmering memorial in Winter Park’s Central Park.

A bronze peacock fountain placed in the Central Park rose garden serves as a tribute to 13-year-old Buckley, who passed away in December 2012 of an inoperable brain tumor.

Hundreds of residents came to witness the unveiling of the fountain, which sat aglow with purple and blue lighting beneath bulbs of white Christmas lights.

“I hope this fountain will serve as a place of inspiration to all who visit our community,” John Michael said. “A place of comfort for families that have lost a child and a place of hope, so that their children will shine on in the hearts of those lives they have touched.”

John Michael, a 15-year-old sophomore at Bishop Moore Catholic High School, had known Elizabeth since they were both 3 years old, growing up in the classroom together. He described her as curious and competitive, yet kind and generous.

“As we headed off to kindergarten, I never knew how much she would impact my life,” John Michael said. “There was something about her that was special.”

Following Elizabeth’s passing, John Michael took on the task of planning a tribute for Elizabeth as his Eagle Scout project last fall. He started an ambitious campaign in May to raise $50,000 to purchase a peacock fountain from an artist in England and have it installed in a city park.

Local merchants and residents banded together to help John Michael raise the funds, while the city volunteered the Central Park rose garden site for the fountain.

“I just feel truly honored for everyone to come together for this type of cause, for this one girl that changed the lives of so many people in such a short amount of time,” John Michael said.

“It’s really shown my son how good people are,” said Valorie, John Michael’s mother. “It’s good for youth to see that people care … it’s been an inspiration to our whole family.”

The unveiling ceremony featured a slide show of photos of Elizabeth while Owl City’s “Shooting Star” played in the background. John Michael said he heard the song shortly after Elizabeth’s passing, and that the lyrics helped inspire his concept for the peacock project.

@@“When the sun goes down and the lights burn out, then it's time for you to shine, brighter than a shooting star, so shine no matter where you are.”@@

The fountain serves as a fitting tribute, Elizabeth’s father Martin said, as Elizabeth had always loved peacocks and playing in the Central Park rose garden growing up.

“Elizabeth was a huge fan of peacocks,” he said. “There’s nothing more that she’d like to see in this park than that fountain.”

“As John Michael said, hopefully this will be a place where people can seek some tranquility and think about the broader issues in life.”

John Michael added that he believes he was meant to send a message from Elizabeth.

“Her message was simple: You don’t have to do something big to make a difference. You just have to do things with love and kindness,” he said.