Search using the deceased name or any family name for any current or past services entrusted to our firm.
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STAFF MEMBERS All of our staff members adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field. We are proud to have them on our staff.
 | E. Milton Hayman, Founding Director - Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND (1934-2007) Milton had been a licensed funeral director and embalmer here in Truro for more years than he cared to admit. His dedication and professionalism to the industry was second to none. A warm smile and a friendly story were what usually greeted anyone coming through our doors. Milton came on board with Colchester Community Funeral Home, prior to the structure even existing. His input into the design of the funeral home was invaluable. Milton worked tirelessly for many years here at the funeral home and his teachings have been passed through to all the staff presently serving the community. His memory shall live on through all of us here at Colchester Community Funeral Home and will forever be missed. |
| David Johnson, Founding Director - Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRIEND (1942-2010) David was a graduate of Syracuse University in New York with a degree in their mortuary science program. David served the funeral needs of Truro for more than 40 years. One of the founding directors here at Colchester Community Funeral Home, he worked tirelessly in not only the design of the funeral home, but was key in the day to day operation of the facility. Dave had many attributes that made him not only an excellent funeral director, but a wonderful person. He was a very giving individual and put others ahead of himself. He was proud of Colchester Community Funeral Home and will forever be remembered by the staff here as well as the many families he served throughout the years. |  |
| Paul Gatchell, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer Website: www.colchestercommunity.com Office Phone: (902) 895-5587 Fax: (902) 895-5606 A third generation Nova Scotia Funeral Director, Paul began his funeral service career apprenticing under the guidance of both his grandfather and father at Mundle's Funeral Home in Pugwash, learning the values and sensitivity offered to all the clients they served. In 1989, Paul purchased Mundle's Funeral Home, Pugwash from his parents and continued with the traditions that had been established by his family. In 1991, he purchased Coulter's Funeral Home, Tatamagouche. Then in 1993, with a great deal of support from the community, he began the construction of Colchester Community Funeral Home in Truro, opening the doors to the public in February of 1994. With the invaluable contributions of both Milton Hayman and David Johnson of Truro, the response and support from Truro and surrounding areas has been humbling and we continue each day to offer courteous services to our clients. Paul sold both Mundle's Funeral Home and Coulter's Funeral Home in 2005 to allow him time, to better concentrate his efforts at Colchester Community Funeral Home. Those valuable lessons taught to him by his family, have been carried forward to the exemplary staff here at the funeral home. 2011 marks Paul's 24th year serving the residents of Nova Scotia as a funeral director. |  |
 | Aaron Bower, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer Email: colchestercommunityfh@ns.aliantzinc.ca Website: www.colchestercommunity.com Office Phone: (902) 895-5587 Fax: (902) 895-5606 A graduate of the Funeral Service Program at the Nova Scotia Community College, Kingstec Campus, Kentville in 1997. Aaron's interest in funeral service came early as he worked part-time for a local funeral home while in high school on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. The funeral home owner encouraged him to attend the funeral service program and work towards obtaining his funeral director and embalmer licenses. Upon his graduation, Aaron came to Colchester Community Funeral Home, Truro to finish his apprenticeship. He obtained both his funeral director and embalmer licenses within a short period of time and the funeral home has been privileged to have him remain with us here as part of our professional staff. Aaron has proved himself to be a valued part of our team. He provides a genuine caring attitude to the families he has served and looks forward to providing many more years of ongoing support and guidance to the people of Truro and the surrounding communities. Aaron calls Truro home after purchasing his first residence in 1998. |
| Verdell Longstaff, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer Email: colchestercommunityfh@ns.aliantzinc.ca Website: www.colchestercommunity.com Office Phone: (902) 895-5587 Fax: (902) 895-5606 Verdell Longstaff has twenty eight years experience in the Education Field from teaching high school to College Administration in both Canada and the United States. Having been an ordained minister, administrator and professor he is an accomplished communicator having presented seminars in various settings for audiences throughout the United States and Canada including Universities, Colleges, church groups and other organizations. His broad range of topics appeal to a variety of audiences and deal with such issues as personal life skills, managerial and employee staff needs, budget considerations, strategic planning development, assessment programs, as well as the development of policy manuals and guidelines, and various retreat topics involving every day living experiences. Beyond the College setting Verdell also served with the American Association of Bible Colleges as an Accreditation team member serving colleges throughout the United States and Canada. Verdell hails from New Brunswick originally but currently resides in Truro with his family and serves as a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director where he continues to draw upon his past years of expertise as an administrator, educator and clergyman assisting those experiencing death and the grieving process. |  |
 | Michael Collins, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer Email: colchestercommunityfh@ns.aliantzinc.ca Website: www.colchestercommunity.com Office Phone: (902) 895-5587 Fax: (902) 895-5606 Michael is a graduate of the Funeral and Allied Health Services Program at Kingstec Community College in 1999. He comes from his home of Windsor, N.S. and has been involved in and around the funeral profession for a total of 16 years now, having been licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer for the past 10 years. On April 1, 2008, Colchester Community Funeral Home was fortunate to be able to convince Michael to join our team of professionals as our newest funeral director and embalmer. He displays a genuine kindness and caring attitude with the families he has had the privilege of working with...helping them through their most difficult time...the loss of a loved one. He shows a demeanor not seen much today in this fast paced world of ours. He is involved with many organizations including Gideon International, Oddfellows and Encampment. Michael is making Truro his home, and plans to continue helping and supporting the families of Truro and surrounding areas the way they have become accustomed to by the kind and compassionate staff of Colchester Community Funeral Home. |
 | Kristell Collins, Funeral Director Email: colchestercommunityfh@ns.aliantzinc.ca Office Phone: 902-895-5587 Fax: 902-895-5606 Kristell graduated from the Funeral & Allied Health Services Program at NSCC, Kentville in June 2005. She has worked at various funeral homes throughout the Annapolis Valley. On October 23, 2009, we were very fortunate to have Kristell come on board with us here at Colchester Community Funeral Home as a Licensed Funeral Director. She has a kind and gentle personality that is genuine and compassionate toward the families she serves. We are very happy to have her with us. |
 | Susan Kennedy, Office Administrator Email: colchestercommunityfh@ns.aliantzinc.ca Website: www.colchestercommunity.com Office Phone: 902-895-5587 Fax: (902) 895-5606 Born in Truro and remaining a life-long resident, Susan has played a vital role as the office administrator for over 16 years here at Colchester Community Funeral Home. Her experience in clerical administration spans a total of over 32 years here in Truro. Susan's caring and compassionate nature along with her genuine concern for people make her a valuable member of the funeral home. She is often the first person seen by our families when visiting the office and we couldn't be more proud to have this exceptional person representing the funeral home. |
| Michael Redden, Funeral Assistant Website: www.colchestercommunity.com Office Phone: 902-895-5587 Fax: (902) 895-5606 Mike was born in Truro, NS and raised in Upper Stewiacke, NS. He has been a long-time resident of Middle Stewiacke, where he continues to reside with his wife Barb. An engineering technician by profession, Mike has been involved in the funeral industry since 1964 in various capacities. Mike began working for Colchester Community Funeral Home in 1999 and we have been fortunate to still have him with us. Mike is a very capable funeral assistant in all aspects. He can be approached at nearly all funerals and most visitations. Too say his job ends there would not be accurate. He handles nearly all the behind the scenes activities and can take much of the credit for how wonderful the facility always looks. Mike has the appearance of a professional who enjoys his position here at the funeral home. A smile greets those he comes in contact with on a daily basis and he always has time to offer a friendly hello. |  |
512 Willow Street | Truro, NS. | B2N 5H2 | Phone: 902-895-5587 | Fax: 902-895-5606
