In Remembrance
2024
Beverly A. Walker passed away on on September 23, 2024. Beverly was the wife of James Walker, a licensed funeral director and Manager of MetFDA member firm R. Stutzmann & Son Funeral Home in Queens Village.
2023
Lucille A. Watts passed away on April 13, 2023. Lucille was the wife of the late H. Joseph Watts who served as the MetFDA's Regional Director for many years. Lucille was the bookkeeper and partner at Colonial Funeral Home in New York City, and her position grew to manager and she was a longtime employee of Service Corporation International (SCI).
Leslie Francisco passed away on March 4, 2023. Leslie was a licensed funeral director and Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP). She was the owner of the former Francisco Funeral Home (101 Ave, Ozone Park). Her husband, Ralph A. Francisco (deceased), served as MetFDA President from 2002-2004.
Dr. Joan Long Salomon, passed away Saturday, February 25, 2023. Joan was the wife of MetFDA Board member Charles S. Salomon of member firm Riverside Memorial Chapel in NYC.
William J. Klein passed away on January 13, 2023 at the age of 89. William was the father of William M. Klein of MetFDA member firm Doyle B. Shaffer, Inc. Funeral Home in Little Neck.
2022
Mary Ann Orsi passed away on November 16, 2022 at the age of 79. Mary Ann was a licensed funeral director with a specialty in hairdressing and cosmetology and worked for several funeral homes in the metropolitan area. For several years she played a significant role on the MET Golf Committee.
Joseph Martino passed away on June 24, 2022. Joseph was the father of Anthony Martino of MetFDA Past President Anthony Martino of Hess-Miller Funeral Home in Middle Village.
James E. McQuade, age 76, passed away on May 12, 2022. Jim was a licensed Funeral Director and owner of MetFDA member firm Schuyler Hill Funeral Home in the Bronx.
Theodore Jay "Teddy" Lee, Jr, passed away on May 4, 2022. Mr. Lee was the father of MetFDA Board Member Jennifer Lee of member firm Lee's Funeral Home LLC.
Wayne C. Baxter, 78, passed away on April 8, 2022. Wayne was a licensed funeral director, with his sons Danford S. and Thaddeus W. Baxter, owner of MetFDA member firm Fox Funeral Home, Inc. in Forest Hills, and was a MetFDA Past President.
2021
Dr. Vanderlyn (Van) R. Pine, 83, passed away on November 9, 2021. Van was founder of MetFDA Partner American Funeral Consultants (AFC).
James P. Nolan, Jr., 81, passed away on July 2, 2021. Jim served on the MetFDA Board, was a long-time member and father of current MetFDA member Mark J. Nolan, both of Nolan Funeral Home, Inc. in Northport.
Vincent S. LoIacono passed away on May 26, 2021. Vincent was a long-time funeral industry professional, retiring in 2017 from the Batesville Casket Company.
Pamela Long Nolan, 80, passed away on May 22, 2021. Pamela was the wife of long-time MetFDA member James P. Nolan, Jr. and mother of Mark J. Nolan of MetFDA member firm Nolan Funeral Home, Inc. in Northport.
Joan C. Anastasio, passed away March 5, 2021. Joan was the mother of MetFDA member Andrew Anastasio of B. Anastasio & Son, Inc.
2020
Deacon Kenneth J. Maher, 70, passed away December 25, 2020. Kenneth was a licensed funeral director and owner of The St. James Funeral Home.
Joseph Raul Heredia, passed away December 16, 2020. Joseph was the brother of MetFDA member Michael Heredia of Conway Funeral Home.
Kacie Yvonne Buchanan, 28, passed away October 29, 2020. Kacie was the cherished daughter of Martin (Karen) Kohler, a licensed funeral director for MetFDA member firm Nolan Funeral Home, Inc.
Edward D. Jamie Jr., 76, passed away following a long battle with cancer. Edward was the second generation funeral director in his family following in his father's footsteps, he operated the Edward D. Jamie Jr. Funeral Chapel in Bayside since 1969.
Anthony N. Speciale, Sr., passed away April 2020 following a battle with cancer. Anthony worked in the funeral industry for 30 years as part of the Matthews International team.
Raymond C. Fuller, passed away February 16, 2020. Raymond was the father of Thomas W. Fuller, Director of the Bureau of Funeral Directing.
Giovanni "John" Palmeri, passed away. John was the father of Tina Di Troia and father-in-law of Joseph Di Troia, President of Fresh Pond Crematory.
