PUTNAM COUNTY FUNERAL DIRECTOR RICHARD HAZZARD ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE NYS FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Richard Hazzard, former owner and president of the Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster and the Dwyer Funeral Home in Patterson, was elected president of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) at the organization’s annual meeting which concluded last week in Bolton Landing, New York. Hazzard retired in 2008 and now serves as a consultant to the Beecher and Dwyer Funeral Homes. A licensed funeral director since 1965, Hazzard will serve for the 2009-2010 term.

Hazzard is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the New York State Funeral Directors Association and the Dutchess-Putnam-Ulster Funeral Directors Association. He attended the National Foundation of Funeral Service and graduated from the Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse.

Active in his community, he is a member and former president of the Brewster Lions Club, a member of the Patterson Lions Club, Holmes United Methodist Church, Croton Lodge F & A.M. and the Brewster Elks Lodge.

He also served on the Board of Directors of the Putnam Hospital Center for many years.

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WESTFIELD FUNERAL DIRECTOR S. SCOTT MASON ELECTED PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE NYS FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

S. Scott Mason, CFSP (Certified Funeral Service Practitioner), owner of the Mason Funeral Home in Westfield, was elected president-elect of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) at the organization’s annual meeting which concluded yesterday at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, New York. A New York State licensed funeral director since 1991, and in Pennsylvania since 1984, Mason will serve for the 2009-2010 term.

Mason is a NYSFDA Executive Committee and Board member. He is also a member of the NYSFDA Audit Committee and the Government Affairs Committee. He serves as Chairman of the SUNY Canton Mortuary Science Advisory Committee, and is a member of the SUNY Canton College Foundation Board as well as the National Funeral Directors Association, Chautauqua County Funeral Directors Association, Funeral Ethics Association and the American Academy of Bereavement.

Active in many civic affairs, Mason is a board member of the Westfield Development Corporation, a member of the Westfield Rotary Club, Westfield Fire Department Exempt Fireman‘s Association. He speaks at many community and church sponsored forums on Funerals and Death.

Mason is a graduate of SUNY Canton with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science; he also attended Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania where he studied Psychology and Sociology.

Mason is married with two daughters in college. The Mason family resides at the funeral home.

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COPIAGUE FUNERAL DIRECTOR BEATRICE LEWANDUSKI ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NYS FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Beatrice Lewanduski, manager of the D’Andrea Brothers Funeral Home in Copiague, was elected vice president of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) at the organization’s annual meeting which concluded yesterday at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, New York. A New York State licensed funeral director since 1977, Ms. Lewanduski will serve for the 2009-2010 term.

Ms. Lewanduski is a NYSFDA Board and Constitution and By-Laws Committee member. She is a past president of the Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Directors Association, and Governor of NYSFDA Region 5. She is a member and former secretary of the Rockville Centre Lions Club and a cantor at Our Lady of Grace Church in West Babylon.

Ms. Lewanduski is a graduate of Deer Park High School and SUNY Farmingdale.

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POUGHKEEPSIE FUNERAL DIRECTOR TIMOTHY P. DOYLE ELECTED SECRETARY/TREASURER OF THE NYS FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Timothy P. Doyle, owner of the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home in Poughkeepsie, was elected secretary/treasurer of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA) at the organization’s annual meeting which concluded yesterday at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, New York. A New York State licensed funeral director since 1990, Doyle will serve for the 2009-2010 term.

Doyle is a NYSFDA board member; past regional governor of NYSFDA and a past president of the Dutchess-Putnam-Ulster Funeral Directors Association.

Active in many community affairs, Doyle is a member of Hospice of Dutchess County and past chairman of the Hospice Foundation, the Council of Alcoholism Prevention and Education (CAPE), and the McElroy Foundation which supports terminally ill children and their families. He is also past co-chair for Relay for Life, American Cancer Society.

Doyle is also a speaker for the Victim Impact Panel for Drunk Driving, and at local high schools where he discusses Teenage Driving - A Family Affair. He is a committee person for the town of Poughkeepsie Republican Party.

Doyle attended Dutchess Community College attaining an Associate of Applied Science Business degree, and graduated from Hudson Valley Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science.

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