
 |










 |
 |
Stellato Funeral Homes Staff
Louis J. Stellato, Jr
Licensed Funeral Director/President of Stellato Funeral Homes
ljs@stellatofuneralhomes.com
Louis is the president of the Ippolito Stellato Funeral Homes, Inc. of Lyndhurst and Fairfield, and the Hunt-Stellato Funeral Home of Fort Lee.
He is a 1970 graduate of the University of Minnesota with a B.S.M.S. in Medical Science and a Major in Mortuary Science. He recently received his PHD in Funeral Service Education. He has done graduate work in Thanatological Science at the University of Minnesota, Public Health Administration at New Jersey City University, and Value Development at Central State University in Oklahoma. He is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and Certified Preplanning Consultant and a charter member of the Funeral Ethics Association.
After college, Lou Stellato served in the United States Air Force from 1970-1974, where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his honorable discharge, he was elected to the Board of Commissioners in the Township of Lyndhurst in 1982 where he served as Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Works until 1989. In 1989 he was elected as Mayor of the Township and served as such until 1997 when he did not seek re-election.
Professionally, Lou Stellato is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, Preferred Funeral Directors, Bergen County Funeral Directors where he has served as president and board of director. A member of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, he is also a member of the President's Club. He was inducted into the Lyndhurst High School Academic Hall of Fame. He was named to the New Jersey State Board of Mortuary Science in 2005 by the Governor and is presently serving as the President of the Board. He is also the Director of Administration of the Bergen County Medical Examiner's Office.
Lou Stellato has been involved in numerous community service organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Columbian Foundation, and South Bergen branch of the American Cancer Society. He has served as president of the Lyndhurst Jaycees, Unico, and the Meadowlands Division of the American Heart Association. He was a founder of the Lyndhurst Key Club, Lyndhurst Nutrition Center for the Senior Citizens, Lyndhurst Blood Bank, and Child Shield Program. He served on the Board of Governors of the Greater Hospital of Passaic and is now on the Board of Directors of West Hudson Hospital. He was Chairman of the Bergen/Passaic ARC, March of Dimes, Mayor's Youth Guidance Council, and Student Loan Fund. Lou Stellato is also a member of the West Essex Chamber of Commerce, Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce, and Edgewater Business Alliance.
On a personal note, Lou Stellato is married to the former Linda Stella and they have three grown children, Tracey, Dorianne, and Louis. The entire family takes an active role in the Stellato Funeral Homes.
|
|
Louis Stellato, III Licensed Funeral Director/Manager of the Hunt-Stellato Funeral Home
louisiii@stellatofuneralhomes.com
Louis Stellato graduated from Lyndhurst High School and then went on to graduate from Drew University in May, 2004. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science from Drew. Louis also graduated from Mercer County College with a degree in the field of Mortuary Science with Dean's List status. He has recieved his NJ state funeral director's license and is now performing all duties of a licensed funeral director at all three facilities.
While studying at Drew Univesity, Lou was a pitcher for the university baseball team and a co-captain of the team in his senior year. Lou donates much of his free time to the coaching of young children and teenagers, especially in his favorite sport of baseball. Lou's outgoing personality, compassion, and eagerness to help has made him a favorite among the families we serve. Lou is a member of the Bergen County Funeral Director's Association, New Jersey Funeral Director's Association and National Funeral Director's Association.
|
 |
Dorianne Stellato Licensed Funeral Director
dori@stellatofuneralhomes.com
Dorianne Stellato graduated from Lyndhurst High School and then went on to attend Villanova University in Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University in May 2003, she received her BSN, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing. Dorianne also received the H. Elaine McCaulley Award at graduation, an award given annually by the university faculty to a nursing student who exemplifies clinical excellence in the field.
Dorianne worked as a Registered Nurse at Hackensack University Hospital. She graduated, with honors, from Mercer County College and has received her Funeral Director's License. Dori brings her expertise and compassion from her nursing background to all three Stellato Funeral Homes.
Dori is a member of the Bergen County Funeral Director's Association, New Jersey Funeral Director's Association and National Funeral Director's Association.
As she works with the families we serve in Lyndhurst, Fairfield, and Fort Lee, her compassion and caring ways are a great asset. Dorianne lives in Fairfield with her new husband Joseph Kryzsiak.
|
 |
Kenneth Mikatarian
Licensed Funeral Director
(no longer affiliated with Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral Directors)
ken@stellatofuneralhomes.com
Ken's exceptional level of service dealing with families has earned him a reputation of a kind, caring, and compassionate professional in the funeral industry. He has helped hundreds of families through their most difficult times with his dedicated approach to every aspect of funeral service.
He is also well respected by his peers and is a member of the Bergen County Funeral Directors Association and New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association.
Formerly residents of Weehawken, NJ the Mikatarian family chose to relocate to Fort Lee in 1953. After graduating with honors from Fort Lee High School, Ken made the decision to continue his education at Long Island University, Upon completion of his coursework at this institution, it would be further decided that he would attend the American Academy of Funeral Services in New York City. During the time of his schooling at the academy, Kenneth was recognized by the administration, faculty members and peers for the high standards of ethics and professionalism he held toward the profession, which earned him the prestigious Class Citizenship award.
Since the early age of sixteen, Ken has had exposure to the profession, allowing him the opportunity to learn from colleagues and to grow as a professional within the field. His career began at the Nekar-Sharpe Funeral Home located in Union City, which was owned by his cousin Harold Azmelian. Ken then joined Leber Funeral Home, located in Union City where he remained an integral staff member until 1970. He then want on to become and owner and partner in the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral, formerly Heus Funeral Home, for 33 years. Ken has now moved on to join the well respected Hunt-Stellato Funeral Home in Fort Lee where he will serve as its Manager. His knowledge and love of Fort Lee and the surrounding communities will certainly play an integral part in the Hunt-Stellato Funeral Home tradition of community involvement and its tradition of excellence.
Ken has been happily married to Annabelle (nee Casbar), a local resident from Palisades Park. Together they have two children, Anthony and Kristin. Anthony wed Jacqueline (nee Sudano) of Dumont and has been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Kayla and Victoria, making Ken and Annabelle proud grandparents.
Anthony is currently employed as a police officer in Leonia. Their daughter recently graduated from Seton Hall University's School of Graduate Medical Education with a master's degree in Occupational Therapy and married Raymond Forsdahl, also a Leonia police officer. The family remains active in St. Michael's Church in Palisades Park, St. John's Church in Leonia, as well as Holy Cross Armenian Church in Union City. Ken and his family are extremely active in many community activities. They plan and organize the men's retreat at the San Alfanso retreat in Long Branch, and fundraise for special causes. Ken is an active member of the Four Foundation, an organization based in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, devoted to raising money for research to benefit children with brain tumors. He and his family donate much time and money to help feed the homeless in local communities. Ken has also earned an honorable lifetime membership to the NJ PTA for all of the time and effort he has given to local schools for the betterment of education of all children.
Ken has been a volunteer firefighter in Fort Lee for over 39 years, and has held the positions of lieutenant and captain. He has been asked to run for Chief many times throughout his volunteer career and was honored at a dinner in his behalf for his untiring dedication to the fire department and the community. His fondest memory is when his son Anthony decided to join ranks with him in his fire company. Ken is a believer in giving back to the community, and has proven to do that throughout his life.
|
 |
Toni J. Scordato - Kuchler Licensed Funeral Director Specializing in Funeral Pre-planning: Pre-Arrangements & Pre-Funding Options
toni@stellatofuneralhomes.com
Toni was born in Passaic, NJ. She lived in Totowa for a short time before
moving to North Haledon where she enrolled in local schools and graduated
from Manchester Regional High School, Class of 1969, Haledon, NJ.
Immediately following she attended the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent
Station, NJ. Graduating with a B.S. in Biology in '73 she continued as a
graduate student at Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry,
Hackensack, NJ. While receiving her MS in Human Anatomy, she was involved in reaserch, publication, prosection and instruction in the Department of Human Anatomy and anatomical gift program at FDU School of Dentistry. She was involved in research, publication, and
demonstration and projection in the Department of Anatomy and anatomical
gift program at FDU School of Dentistry. She enrolled in post-graduate
courses at NYU that included aging and cell biology. Toni later returned to
the Dental School as a research assistant on a Cancer Institute grant on the
role of monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment.
Starting her career in funeral service, Toni attended American Academy
McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science, NYC receiving her degree in
Mortuary Science in 1975 followed by licensure in NJ in 1976. Subsequently,
she has represented several funeral homes in Northern and Central NJ as a
licensed funeral director, primary arranger, and preplanning/prefunding
director offering all types of funeral preplanning tailored to meet the
individual or family wishes, to assist in preparation for Medicaid spend
down or to compliment eldercare planning. In order to offer a variety of
pre-need options to families, Toni maintains a New Jersey and Florida funeral director's license. She currently holds the designation CSA (certified senior advisor) as well as a NJ Life & Health Insurance producers license to offer funeral insurance pre-payment options. Holding a CLTC (certified long-term care insurance) designation Toni is also able to discuss this planning strategy to interested individuals. Other related interests to
her field have brought her to be certified by Wills Eye Hospital in
affiliation with NJ Eye Bank as an anatomical gift enucleator. For several
years Toni also volunteered with Northwest Bergen Hospice bereavement group
...helping individuals cope with their specific losses and adjust to their
changed lives.
In talking about Toni, Lou Stellato says "She is very easy to talk to.
Toni truly cares for the families she deals with and makes pre-arranging comfortable."
Personally, Toni and her husband, Dr. Albert F. Kuchler, have lived in the
Bergen and Passaic County area for many years. Albert maintains oral
surgery practices in Hawthorne and Wayne with surgical affiliation to Chilton Hospital.
Having always been in the area, being active in the local as well as
professional community has always been very important to Toni. She is a
member of the National Funeral Director's Association, New Jersey State
Funeral Directors Association, International Cemetery and Funeral Directors
Association. She is a longtime member in the Bergen County Funeral
Director's Assn. as well as former Secretary-Treasurer, past president and currently serves on their Board of Directors. The NJ Funeral Service Education
Corporation appointed her as a Board Member in the 1990's. Toni has earned
several regional awards as a pre-planning counselor in this region. Other
memberships currently held include the National Assn. of Female Executives,
The Alliance of AAOMS, the Ringwood Woman's Club and WEXNET and The Friends of
Frelingheuysen. Having volunteered at Valley Hospital for several years,
she also maintains memberships in Valley Hospital and Chilton Hospital
Auxiliaries.
|
 |
Joseph C. Cardiello, Jr. Licensed Funeral Director
joe@stellatofuneralhomes.com
Joseph Cardiello graduated from Paramus High school and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University before deciding on a career in funeral service. He graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute, with a degree in the field of Mortuary Science. While in school, Joe became a member the Paramus Heavy Rescue Squad, Hazardous Materials Team and Fire Department.
Joe is a licensed funeral director with the Stellato Funeral Homes, working in all capacities. "He is experienced in all aspects of funeral service and treats our families with respect and care." said Lou Stellato.
|
 |
Vincent Caiola Licensed Funeral Director
Vincent Caiola is currently serving as the funeral director/embalmer at Stellato Funeral Home. He gained his license to become a Mortuary practitioner in New Jersey in 2005 and has Eight years' experience embalming, performing cosmetic restoration, organizing funerals, and operating all aspects of funeral service from billing to general maintenance of a funeral establishment.
Vinnie spent several years working as a pallbearer, livery driver, and finally an apprentice for a variety of other funeral homes. Vinnie gained valuable experience in the areas of embalming, burials, cremation, arranging viewing of the deceased, provision of caskets, all livery as well as other aspects including but not limited to insurance policies, pre-planned funerals, trust funds, and familiarity of the Medicaid Family Assistant Program.
Vinnie was born in Bayonne in 1981 and graduated from Bayonne High School in 1999. He started his studies at Montclair State University which earned him a Bachelors Degree in Biology before continuing his education at Mercer County Community College earning an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science and a Funeral Service Education Certificate.
By working in a thoughtful and sympathetic manner, he has managed to smoothly amalgamate compassion with a commercial operation. Vincent believes his position as funeral director enables him to be a supportive pillar in a family's time of need which he finds deeply satisfying. Vincent has been credited by peers amongst the workforce as well as by grateful bereaved families for his discretion while dealing with such a sensitive issue.
One man declared "After my father's long battle with cancer I never expected him to look like he did before getting sick, but I have to say you made my father look better than he looked in years and gave the entire family great closure by allowing the casket to stay open". Another lady wrote "You were a shoulder to cry on when I needed it and you showed great compassion with every detail of the funeral in order - thank you!. Vinnie currently lives in Wayne with his wife Erica and son Graziano Anthony. When Vinnie is not working, he likes to spend time with his wife, family, and friends. He also likes to play ice hockey and go for motorcycle rides.
|
 |
|
The following personnel, though an integral part of our daily service to our families, are unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.
|
Linda Stellato Secretary/Treasurer of Stellato Funeral Homes, Inc.
linda@stellatofuneralhomes.com
Linda Stellato was born in Jersey City and moved to Lyndhurst at an early age where she has lived since. After graduating from Lyndhurst High School and then Jersey City State College in 1970, Linda taught in the Lyndhurst School District. In 1975 when she and her husband bought the Waldo J. Ippolito Funeral Home, she left teaching to assist with the business.
She has held an active role in the all three funeral homes, Lyndhurst, Fairfield, and Fort Lee, serving families in all aspects. Linda takes great pride in decorating the three funeral homes personally, giving them a bright, home-like atmosphere where families can feel comfortable. One of her favorite roles in the business is organizing the Holiday Memorial Program each year since it's inception in 1991. It is an after-care program that helps survivors cope with the holidays and brings them comfort. The mother of three children, Tracey, Dorianne, and Louis, she has volunteered in a wide number of organizations that they have been involved in. This included the Columbus-Lincoln PTA of which she served as president, the Lyndhurst High School PTA, Lyndhurst High School Band Association of which she was president, and the Project Graduation Committee of which she was chairman several times. Linda is now the president of the Board of Trustees of the Lyndhurst United Methodist Church and serves as its Sunday School Superintendant.
|
 |
Susan Maikisch Administrative Assistant
susan@stellatofuneralhomes.com
Susan was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. She moved to Little Ferry after her marriage to her husband Fred Maikisch. The two now reside in Lodi. They have two children, Melanie who is a teacher and Justin who is a musician. Susan is the administrative assistant at all three branches of Stellato Funeral Home. She can be seen fulfilling the many needs of the families we serve such as filing all necessary paperwork for Social Security. veteran's administration, insurance claims, etc. "She is a friendly voice on the telephone and a helpful hand at that difficult time of need," said Lou Stellato.
|
 |
Tracey Stellato After-Care Coordinator
Tracey Stellato graduated from Lyndhurst High School and then went on to attend Montclair State University where she received her BA in Elementary Education. Having taught in Wyckoff and Lyndhurst, She was the Vice Principal of Rockaway Middle School and the supervisor of student services at Lyndhurst High School. Presently she is serving as the Assistant Superintendent of the Lyndhurst School District. She has formed a Grief Group at the High School which she supervises and which is sponsored by the funeral home.
She has since earned two Masters Degrees, one in Education from Marygrove College and one in Supervision from Felician College, where she graduated as the salutatorian of the class. Tracey heads the "Healing Hearts" program in our funeral homes, a program that assists children who have had a loss. Tracey is also involved with our Pursuit of Excellence program which encompasses all of the outreach programs that our funeral homes are involved in. She has just received her Ed.D. in Education from Novus University.
|
 |
Debbie Calandriello Receptionist
debbie@stellatofuneralhomes.com
Debbie was born in Jersey City and moved to Lyndhurst at the age of three where she has lived ever since. She attended Jefferson Elementary School and graduated from Lyndhurst High School in 1971. Debbie has two children Bryan and Nicole. She works as a receptionist at the Lyndhurst branch in the evenings and on weekends, allowing us to meet the needs of our families, both during and after the time of a death, at those hours most convenient to them.
|
 |
Valerie Palumbo Intern
Valerie Palumbo graduated from Saint Dominic Academy High School in Jersey City and then went on to attend Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken. She recently graduated, in May 2009, with a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Biology. During college Valerie was consistently on the Dean's list and an active member of Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority. She is currently a registered intern under the direction of Dorianne Stellato at Stellato Funeral Home. Valerie Palumbo is presently attending McAllister Academy in New York where she is studying to receive her funeral director's license.
|
 |
Renne Blauvelt Receptionist
Renne Blauvelt is a graduate of Hasbrouck Heights HIgh School. She attended Ramapo College where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her teaching certification for grades Kindergarten to 8th grade. Renne is presently a first grade teacher in the Lodi School District. She is a tireless worker and compassionate voice on the phone every weekend.
|
 |
info@stellatofuneralhomes.com
|
| HOME | ABOUT US | GENERAL INFO | SERVICES MERCHANDISE | PRE-PLANNING | AFTERCARE | OBITUARIES CONTACT US
| |
|
Website Copyright © 2003 Stellato Funeral Homes, Inc & FuneralNet
|
|