Our Caring Team

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.

Chris Chappelle, Managing Funeral Director Chris interned at J.J. Patterson & Sons, obtaining his licence in 1983.  After working in  Ridgeway and Toronto, Chris returned to manage the firm in 1985.  He  later owned the funeral home for 10 years before choosing to take a step back for more personal time.  He holds a Certified Preplanning Consultant designation, was the vice-president of the former Welland Hospital Foundation Board, a past-president of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association and he has served on the executive of the Welland-Port Colborne Bereavement Resource Council.  Chris has two adult children, J.R.,  and Tammy who is married to Mike.

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.

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, gardening and caring for her many pets.

Shirley Proulx, Funeral Director Shirley is a life long resident of Welland and was a licensed cosmetologist before attending the Funeral Service Education program at Humber College.   She has practised in Niagara since becoming a licensed funeral director in 1994. Shirley is also certified as a Funeral Celebrant.  She is a member of St. Mary's Church, a past president of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association and she has volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul Society and Wellspring Niagara.

Sue Harpwood, Administrative Assistant Sue joined us in 2009 after a lengthy career in a local professional health care practice.  She and her family have been life-long residents of Welland.  She has two married children, Jessica and Matt, and grandsons Grayson and Sawyer, and Harrison and Elijah.

John Fraracci, Funeral Director Assistant John is a life-long resident of Welland and joined us in 2009 . He worked in local industry for 42 years . John and his wife Carol have two adult children, Katherine and Christopher, and two grandchildren.

Mary Fazzalari, Receptionist Mary has been with us since 2000 and her multi-tasked capabilities serve us well.  She was born in Welland and lived most of her life here.  She is a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Church and has two daughters, Angela  and Alyssa.

Diane Freeman, Receptionist Diane has been a part of our team on a part time basis since 1998.  Since retiring from her role with the Provincial Court Office, she has been with us more often.  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.

Luciano (Lou) Di Mario, Funeral Assistant Lou was born in Italy and has lived in Welland since 1965.  He speaks fluent italian and has worked with us for year on a part time basis.  He recently retired from his full time position as a firefighter for the City of Welland.  He is a member of St. Mary's Church.  Lou and his wife Nella have two married children and four grandchildren.