Officers
 

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Review of CFDA in 2023

CFDA President Lionel J. Lessard, Jr., CFSP led the CFDA, along with the Officers, Executive Board, CFDA staff and Consultants through a smooth 2023. In a recent conversation with President Lessard, he affirmed, "I am so honored and grateful to be able to have the opportunity to serve as the CFDA President for another year." Additionally, in his President's Message in the July Issue of The Associate, he reminded us, "Remember, we will all be successful if we continue to change with the new ways of our industry." Reinforcing the theme for his presidency, Embracing Change with Respect, 2023 was filled with progressive conversation and positive outcomes. CFDA is fortunate to also have a High-Energy and Professional Group of Officers and Executive Board that serve alongside Lionel.

Reflected in articles featured in CFDA's bimonthly magazine The Associate, were reoccurring themes of Strategic Planning, Succession, Business Practices, Ethics, Remarketing, Buying and Selling your Funeral Home, and the ever-present examination of the FTC Funeral Rule, as well as how well-informed funeral directors evolve in the age of the internet, including online pricing. In late February, CFDA's Legislative Chairperson, Nicole Paquette, testified before the Human Services Committee regarding HB 6701 - An Act Concerning Funeral Assistance for Persons of Limited Income. Nicole Paquette and Jonathan Green, along with CFDA Lobbyists at Capitol Consulting were pro-active regarding this legislation. Through a review of the proposed budget, and negotiations with the Appropriations and the Human Service Committees there was a unanimous vote to restore that allowance back to $1,800. This will take effect on July 1, 2024.

CFDA and its members participated in a host of seminars and events at the June Leadership Conference, the September NFDA Annual Convention where we celebrated the election of Daniel J. Ford to the office of NFDA Treasurer, and several webinars. Our Annual Summer Gathering not only offered educational seminars but honored members with longevity in funeral service. The monthly OSHA Web Series continued in 2023 to satisfy the mandatory CEUs and accommodate the busy schedules of funeral directors statewide.

In November, we honored Veterans in our 10th year for unclaimed cremains with the CT Department of Veterans Affairs. CFDA also attended the Northeast Funeral Service Partnership where we collectively held a ground-breaking symposium, the "Funeral Forward Summit," which focused on Transforming Funeral Home Employment and strong communication within your funeral home. CFDA was and will continue to be involved with Career Days, CT Food Share, the Toy Closet, Operation ELF, and our Annual Golf Tournament. In 2024, there will be continued progress [legislation, workforce, and our website]. While these are welcomed, others may be the unexpected moment where we hold our collective breath, rally our membership to face it together, and prepare in earnest for the road ahead always Embracing Change with Respect.

President
Lionel J. Lessard, Jr., CFSP
D'Esopo Funeral Chapels
East Hartford, CT  (860) 568-9240
Wethersfield, CT  (860) 563-6117
Email: lionel.lessardjr@dignitymemorial.com

Vice President
Melissa Melin-Miles
Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes, Inc.
Cheshire, CT  (203) 272-7209
Naugatuck, CT  (203) 729-2253
Waterbury, CT (203) 753-5112
Email: missy@fordfh.com

Treasurer
Edward J. Sheehy, Jr. CFSP, CPC, CCO
Riverview Funeral Home, Shelton, CT
Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, Derby, CT
(203) 924-6800
Email: ed.sheehy@riverviewfh.com

Secretary
Jonathan L. Green, CPC, CCSP
Abraham L. Green & Son Funeral Home
Fairfield,  CT. (203) 255-8993
Email: jon@greensfuneralhome.com

Past President
David W. MacDonald, CFSP, CPC, CCO
Wallingford Funeral Home
Wallingford, CT  (203) 269-2535
Yalesville Funeral Home
Yalesville, CT  (203) 269-2222
Email: dwmac22@gmail.com

 Executive Committee

Lissa Lovetere-Stone
Munson-Lovetere Funeral Homes, Inc.
Southbury, CT  (203) 263-2146
Woodbury, CT  (203) 263-2146
Email: lissastone@me.com

Michael J. Introvigne
Introvigne Funeral Home
Stafford Springs, CT
(860) 684-2538
Email: mjintrovigne@yahoo.com

Jessica J. Mercuri
Ahern Funeral Home
Hartford, CT  (860) 522-1155
Unionville, CT  (860) 673-2601
Email: ahernfh@aol.com

Robert W. Hansen
Mulryan Funeral Home
Glastonbury, CT
(860) 652-4436
Email: rob@mulryanfh.com

June Williams, CFSP, CPC
Carmon Community Funeral Homes, Inc.
Windsor, Avon, Granby, Rockville,
South Windsor, Suffield, Vernon, Hartford, CT
(860) 688-2200
Email: jwilliams@carmonfh.com

 CFDA Administrative Office

Executive Director
John F. Cascio
364 Silas Deane Hwy.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Phone: (860) 721-0234 - (800) 919-CFDA
Fax: (860) 257-3617
Cell: (860) 916-3899
Email: john@connfda.com

Assistant Executive Director
Jesse M. Gomes, CFSP, CCO, CPC, MBIE
364 Silas Deane Hwy.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Phone: (860) 721-0234 - (800) 919-CFDA
Fax: (860) 257-3617
Email: jesse@connfda.com

Administrative Assistant
Noelle Frechette
364 Silas Deane Hwy.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Phone: (860) 721-0234 - (800) 919-CFDA
Fax: (860) 257-3617
Email: noelle@connfda.com

CFDA Public Relations
Laura Soll Public Relations
13 Cleary Lane
Windsor, CT 06095
Phone: (860) 688-4499
Cell: (860) 833-4466
Website: www.sollpr.com
Email: laura@sollpr.com

CFDA Attorney
Jennifer L. DiBella, Esq.
Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C.
225 Asylum St., 20th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: (860) 548-2630
Email: jdibella@uks.com

CFDA Lobbyists
Michael Dugan / Liz Connelly
Capitol Consulting, LLC
23 Viola Drive
East Hampton, CT  06424
Phone: (860) 833-2198
Email: mike@capitolconsultingct.com

CFDA Account
Timothy F. Rooney
Marcum Accounts & Advisors
185 Asylum Street, 25th Floor
Hartford, CT 06107
Phone: (860) 760-0606
Email: timothy.rooney@marcumllp.com

Graphic Design/Members Services
Beverly Matthews
364 Silas Deane Hwy.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Phone: (860) 721-0234 - (800) 919-CFDA
Fax: (860) 257-3617
Email: bjmdesign1@gmail.com

NFDA National Office

National Funeral Directors Association
President
Douglas R. “Dutch” Nie, II, CFSP, CCO
13625 Bishop's Drive
Brookfield, WI 53005
Phone: (800) 228-6332
Fax: (262) 789-6977
FAXBACK: (800) 713-0661
Website: www.nfda.org
Email: nfda@nfda.org                                                 Return to the top