Vandalism of historical sign Deer Park Eagle Scout built in father's honor sparks outrage

Kadyn Neale was starting his Eagle Scout project earlier this year when his father died unexpectedly of a coronary embolism at age 54. He dedicated the project, a historical information sign at a lake on the North Babylon-West Islip border, to his dad.

So it was especially painful when vandals destroyed the project over the weekend, tearing the sign down and dumping it in the woods.

Historical society leaders, Boy Scout heads, public officials and the father’s bicycling buddies are outraged by the destruction — and vowing to put it back together again.

"It's just evil and just hurtful. I don't why someone would destroy such a project," said Kadyn’s mother, Patrice Neale, of Deer Park, who sent photos of the project, and its destruction, to public officials. "Kadyn has worked tirelessly, relentlessly ... Just to see someone destroy this in a couple hours, it's disheartening."

Kadyn Neale, 17, a standout student at Deer Park High School who was captain of the varsity swim team and held three jobs, had just moved into his dorm at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro when he got the word Sunday his project was vandalized.

"It was unexpected. I don’t know why anyone would want to destroy such an historical and important sign," he said. "It was there to show respect to the [owner of the] previous estate" and "as a memorial to my father."

Suffolk County police said they are investigating the vandalism. No arrests have been made.

The sign, which Neale finished in May, tells the story of what is now known as Deer Lake but used to be called Guggenheim Lake, after a member of the family that become one of the richest in American history and devoted much of their wealth to philanthropy.

Lt. Col. M. Robert Guggenheim, a World War I veteran, capitalist and diplomat, bought the 1,000-acre property around 1917 and turned it into his country estate, according to Neale's sign.

Guggenheim built a large home, stables and a kennel where he bred top-line dogs. The sign displays photographs of Guggenheim, two of the estates that existed on the property and a map.

Neale worked with local historical societies, civic associations and county and town governments to research, create and gain approval for his project, said Suffolk County Legis. Steven J. Flotteron, whose district includes the lake.

"He’s getting ready to go back to school, and he finds all his hard work ... destroyed from some jerk," said Flotteron (R-Brightwaters).

The project was especially important because local officials were in the process of revitalizing the lake, he said. It sometimes dries up, killing fish, which then attract rodents, Flotteron said. Suffolk County is spending $700,000 to keep water in the lake and avoid a public health hazard, he said.

Officials have also built a small pier in part so the public can enjoy the view of the lake, he said. Flotteron took part in a dedication of Neale's sign in May.

Kadyn’s father, Dave Neale, was a member of an amateur bicycling team, which now stops by the project to honor the father and son, said team leader Julian Gobourne, of Wheatley Heights.

Team members have also taken Kadyn Neale under their wing, attending his high school awards ceremony and raising money so he didn’t miss end of high school milestones like the prom, he said.

Neale is a "very good kid," Gobourne said. "He was a complete reflection of his father."

Larry Frumberg, a Troop 399 leader who was Neale's project adviser, said, "I’m mad, and so is everybody in the troop. We all think it’s disgusting."

The sign's frame and stand were destroyed, and flowers planted at the site were torn up, he said. Scout leaders retrieved the sign and hope it can be salvaged, said Jimmy White, another troop leader.

They hope to put it back up, but with stronger supports so it can’t be removed, he said, and security cameras.