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Over the years, our firm has
been fortunate to attract and retain staff that is friendly, compassionate,
highly skilled and dedicated. Our staff, both full-time and part-time is
the largest and the best in Welland. To them, funeral service is not just
a job; it is a profession and vocation. Their concern for families in need
is genuine and everyday they prove that personal attention is, and always
has been, the hallmark of our service. Our licenced directors adhere
to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that
all of your needs are attended to. They have dedicated their lives to helping
those who have lost a loved one. Their commitment to the community and
genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that
make them outstanding in their field. Our non-licensed and support staff
are vitally important in the operation of our firm. The sheer dedication
of these individuals make it possible for us to professionally care for families with
the quality of service our community has come to expect from us.
Since we believe that it is important for you to feel comfortable
with all of the people that you will meet at our firm, we are providing
you with a brief background of the individuals that make up our caring team. After
all, our greatest strength is our people.
We're here to
help.  | Murray Simkin, Managing Funeral Director
Murray obtained his Funeral Director's License in 1988. Originally from Princeton, Ontario, Murray gained experience with Newediuk Funeral Chapel in Toronto and McBeath Funeral Home in Ingersoll. Murray has been with us for 14 years. He is currently serving on the executive of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association. Murray has also acted as coach in Welland Soccer Club for the soccer team of his daughter, Sarah. |
 | Chris Chappelle, Funeral Director and Certified Preplanning Consultant
Chris interned at J.J. Patterson & Sons, obtaining his license in 1983. After working with Williams Funeral Home in Ridgeway and Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel in Toronto, Chris returned to manage the firm in 1985. He and his wife Linda later owned the funeral home for 9 years before choosing to take a step back and focus on assisting those who wish to prearrange their funeral services. He holds a Certified Preplanning Consultant designation from the National Funeral Directors Association. Chris is a member of St. Kevin's Church and the Knights of Columbus Council #2146 in Welland. He is a past-president of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association and has served in the public and media relations area of the Welland-Port Colborne Bereavement Resource Council. Chris and Linda have two children, J.R. and Tammy. |
 | Joe Rak, Funeral Director
Joe was born and raised in Port Colborne. After finishing the Funeral Service program at Humber College, he interned at Trull Funeral Homes, North Toronto Chapel and obtained his Funeral Director’s License in 1995. Joe returned to Niagara where he has served families in the area for over 12 years before joining us in 2007. He lives in Welland with his wife Kim and their daughter Lauren.
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 | Aleisha Murray, Funeral Director
Aleisha joined us as a cooperative education student during her high school years at Notre Dame College School. She later interned with us and earned her funeral director's license in 2005. She is a life-long resident of Welland where she enjoys kayaking, rollerblading and caring for her many pets. |
 | Ron Lewis, Advance Planning Representative
Born in Welland (Crowland), Ron retired from a 34 year career in education, having served as a teacher, secondary school vice-principal and principal. He joined us in 1999 as our advance planning representative who specializes in assisting those who wish to pre-arrange funeral services for themselves or loved ones. Ron and his wife Patty have 3 children and 2 grandchildren, all of whom reside in Welland. |
 | Gillian Bulbeck, Secretary and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist
Gillian has been with us since March of 2003. She facilitates our after-care program and bereavement support group. Through her studies, she has earned her certification as a grief recovery specialist by the Grief Recovery Institute. Gillian, her husband Bill and their daughter Jessica attend Wainfleet Brethren In Christ Church. |
 | Linda Easterbrook, Receptionist
Linda can often be found in the donation office during visitation and services. When not assisting us, she works in the administration office of Parks, Recreation and Arena Department of the City of Welland. Linda has a son, Ryan, and is married to Harold Elliott. |
 | Diane Freeman, Receptionist
Diane helps us out in a part time capacity when not in her full time position of client service representative with the Provincial Court Office. She and her husband Neil have two children, Tyler and Lauren. They are members of the Sacred Heart Parish Community. |
 | Dorothy Clarkson, Receptionist
Dorothy is a life-long resident of Welland and was welcomed to our firm in 2007. She and her husband Henry are members of The Parish Community of St. Kevin. They have three children and five grandchildren. |
 | Ed Benchina, Funeral Director
After retiring in 1998 from a 32 year career in teaching at Notre Dame High School, Ed decided to pursue his dream of working in funeral service. He completed his studies over the next few years and obtained his Ontario Funeral Director's license in 2001. He now works with us on a part-time basis. Ed and his wife Frances are parishioners of St. Mary's Church where he is active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society. They have two children, David, who is also a funeral director, and Lesley. |
 | Luciano (Lou) Di Mario, Funeral Assistant
Lou was born in Italy and has lived in Welland since 1965. He speaks fluent Italian and serves on the executive committee for Casa Dante Lodge. Lou works with us when he is not at his full time position as a firefighter for the City of Welland. He is a member of St. Kevin's Church. Lou and his wife Nella have a son Lou Jr. and a daughter Nadia. |
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