Our Staff - Biographies

Adam was born and raised in Burlington and currently resides in Grimsby. He is a graduate of Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School in Burlington, and became a licensed funeral director in 2003 after graduating from the Funeral Service Education program at Humber College. Adam joined Smith’s as a co-op student in 2000, and has worked here ever since.

Born and raised in Burlington, Deb graduated from Aldershot High School before moving on to Sheridan College where she received her diploma in Medical Library Techniques. She has worked for Smith’s for the past 25 years, and is an active member of West Plains United Church in Aldershot.

Graeme was born and raised in Mississauga and graduated from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay with a B.A. and Penn State University with a Certificate in Golf Course Turfgrass Management. He has previously worked maintaining several private golf courses in southwestern Ontario, and joined the team at Smith’s in July 2018. In his spare time, Graeme enjoys spending time with his family, playing the guitar and walking his dog.

Jennifer was born and raised in Dundas, Ontario and first joined the team at Smith's in 2014, where she completed her internship and then graduated from Humber College’s Funeral Service Education program in 2015. Jennifer is a Member of Hamilton Calvin Christian School and Glanbrook Minor Hockey League Association, and is committed to serving you with Smith’s excellence in values and support.

Ashley was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. At six years of age her family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona where in 2009, she completed her BA in Business from Arizona State University. After spending a year abroad backpacking the South West Pacific, British Isles and Germany, she returned to Canada to complete her education. She graduated from Humber College’s Funeral Service Education program in 2017, and interned in Toronto prior to joining the Smith’s team in July 2017. Ashley enjoys reading, spending time with her German Shepherd, and hiking. She is a supporter of animal welfare and enjoys staying active within her community.

Born and raised in Burlington, Steve attended M.M. Robinson High School and began working at Smith’s after his co-op placement in 1995. Steve went on to attend Humber College in Toronto, and graduated from its Funeral Service Education program as a licensed funeral director in 1997. Steve is a member of the Men’s Group at the Ukrainian National Federation of Hamilton, St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Hamilton, and a member of the baseball and dodgeball leagues at Average Joe Sports Club in Burlington.

Natasha was born and raised in Ancaster and graduated from Mohawk College with Honours in Early Childhood Education. She attends Marshall Memorial United Church where she sings in the church chancel choir, and in her spare time enjoys crocheting and reading. We welcomed Natasha to the Smith’s team in February 2018.

Nicole (Nikki) was born and raised in Truro, Nova Scotia and lived in the Annapolis Valley until moving to Ontario in 1988.  She returned to Nova Scotia to attend college for Computer Programming, and moved back to Ontario in 1992, where she settled in the beautiful Grimsby area.  Nikki worked in the service industry for over 30 years (fine dining & wineries) while also having her own business as a piano teacher (which she continues to do, but on a smaller scale). She currently lives with her family in Vineland, and is the Musical Director at St. John’s Anglican Church in Winona where she has been a member since 2005. Nikki joined the Smith’s team in December 2019 and looks forward to serving the community of Grimsby (and surrounding area) for many years to come.

Ireland was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Being born into a military family, Ireland spent most of her early life moving to different parts of Canada and the world. Her family settled in Drayton, Ontario in 2010, where Ireland attended and graduated from Elmira District Secondary School before moving on to pursue a career in Health Sciences.  As she completed her studies in Health Sciences at Conestoga College, she became interested in Funeral Service, and went on to attend and graduate from Humber College’s Funeral Service Education Program as a Licensed Funeral Director in 2021.  Ireland interned in Windsor prior to moving to Hamilton where she currently resides, joining the Smith’s team in 2022.

Diana was born in Calgary and raised in Burlington, where she continues to reside with her family. She attended Guido de Brès High School and worked briefly in her family’s candy business prior to going into funeral service in 1997. Di went on to graduate from Humber College’s Funeral Service Education program and both apprenticed and worked as a funeral director in Toronto before joining the Smith’s team in 2003. She is a member of Fellowship Church in Burlington and is a Parent Representative at Trinity Christian School in Burlington.

Bryan was born and raised in Freelton, Ontario where he continues to reside. He attended Waterdown High School and joined with Smith’s team in 2010. Bryan is a former volunteer of the Burlington Humane Society and the Burlington Association for the Intellectually Handicapped (Community Living Burlington), and is actively involved in the Waterdown Men’s Industrial Bowling League.

Anita grew up in Ontario and Quebec, and moved to Burlington in 2015.  As a young adult, she began a career in the hospitality industry and enjoyed working and living at hotels and resorts across Canada.  She was then drawn to funeral service and became a Licensed Funeral Director in 2011.  Anita is a member of St. Paul the Apostle Parish, and is excited to be setting down roots and becoming part of the Burlington community.  Anita joined the team at Smith’s in May 2016.

Holden was born and raised in Burlington, where he continues to reside with his wife and two children.  He is a graduate of Assumption Catholic Secondary School and Brock University, receiving a BA in English and Philosophy.  After the sudden death of his father, Holden decided to become a funeral director and enrolled in Humber College’s Funeral Service Education Program.  He graduated as a Licensed Funeral Director in 2013 and joined the Smith’s staff in 2015.  He is a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Aldershot (Burlington) as well as actively involved with the 7th Aldershot Scouting Troop.  Holden enjoys writing and playing music in his spare time.

Born and raised in Hamilton, Caitlyn received a diploma in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Mohawk College before moving to Toronto to pursue a career in funeral services.  She became a licensed Funeral Director in 2016 after completing the Funeral Service Education program at Humber College. After a several years in Toronto she decided to make the move to Burlington to be closer to her family. One of her greatest career achievements thus far was being given the honour to travel to Jordan for the repatriation of a Canadian soldier. We proudly welcomed Caitlyn to our team at Smith’s in 2019.

Born and raised in Burlington, Jen graduated from Aldershot High School before attending McMaster University for Sociology and Social Work. Jen is a proud member of 100 Women Who Care Burlington, the Ontario Funeral Service Association, the Golden Key International Honour Society,  and is Past Chair of the Advisory Committee and a former Director and Board Member with Guaranteed Funeral Deposits of Canada.  She is a past volunteer at Joseph Brant Hospital, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Burlington Downtown Business Association. She was a member of Breast Cancer Support Services’ yearly ‘The Event’ gala fundraising committee from 2011-2015, and in 2013 was a committee member for the inaugural concert fundraiser ‘This Magic Moment’ in support of the Halton Heroes Foundation.  Jen joined Smith’s in 1994 as a co-op student, and has worked in numerous roles ever since.

George was born in Mississauga and raised in Burlington, and is a graduate of Aldershot High School. He began working part time at Smith’s in 1982, and in 1984 graduated as a licensed funeral director from the Funeral Service Education program at Humber College. George celebrated 30 years of service with Smith’s in 2012, and was the Charter Vice-President of the Rotary Club of Burlington North.

Ray was born and raised in Langton, Ontario and moved to Burlington in 1964. Ray is a graduate of the Canadian School of Embalming, and in 2012 received the Legacy Award in Funeral Service to commemorate his 50th anniversary of becoming a licensed funeral director in Ontario. 2014 will mark Ray’s 50th year with Smith’s – a milestone we are proud to celebrate! Ray is a former Chairman of the Investment Committee and Board Member of Guaranteed Funeral Deposits of Canada, a former President and Board Member of the Burlington Bereavement Resource Council, and is a longtime member of Burlington Baptist Church.

Born and raised in Burlington, Emily graduated from Nelson High School before continuing her studies at McMaster University where she completed an Honours B.A. and M.A. degree in classics. In her spare time she enjoys learning languages and spending time with her pets. Emily joined the Smith’s team in 2017.

Sarah was born and raised in Stoney Creek where she attended Saltfleet High School before graduating with a counselling certificate from Heritage Bible College in Cambridge. She then enrolled in Humber College and graduated from the Funeral Service Education Program as a Licensed Funeral Director in 2012. Sarah attends Living Hope Church in Hamilton where she teaches Drumline in the Dance Studio, and is also involved with Mothering Matters in Hamilton. As the mother of 5 children, Sarah does various speaking engagements about blended families. She is a valued member of Christ in the Workplace, where she had the opportunity to lead at the Burlington Prayer Breakfast in 2019. She is part of the Burlington Networking Group, and enjoys attending Burlington Chamber of Commerce events throughout the year.  Sarah also has a passion for peer support, not only for bereaved families but also for fellow funeral directors, and started the Hamilton and area chapter of Canadian Funeral Peer Support. She enjoys speaking about all things new in ‘green’ (environmentally-friendly) initiatives for funeral planning and believes in the value of educating people about their options when it comes to making important end-of-life decisions. She also assists families with our Aftercare Program and helps them through the application process for Canada Pension benefits. We were happy to welcome Sarah to the Smith’s team in July 2017.

Paige was raised in Waterdown, where she continues to reside with her family. She is a graduate of Waterdown High School and the University of Guelph. Paige completed several co-op placements during her studies at Guelph, which facilitated her interest in pursuing a career as a Funeral Director. Upon graduating with a BASc from Guelph in 2013, she began her studies at Humber College in the Funeral Service Education program. Paige joined Smith's in 2014 and graduated as a Licensed Funeral Director in August 2015.

Sean grew up in Orillia, Ontario and attended Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute before graduating from the Funeral Service Education program at Humber College in 1989. Starting his funeral service career at Doolittle Funeral Home in Orillia in 1986, Sean moved to Burlington and joined the Smith’s team in 1991. Married with a daughter in her last year of her masters degree, Sean was a longtime volunteer with the Halton District School Board mainly with the Breakfast Program at Aldershot School.

David was born and raised in Burlington and graduated from Aldershot High School before completing the Funeral Service Education program at Humber College in 1989. Dave joined Smith’s working part time in 1982 until he became a fulltime licensed funeral director in 1989. In 2012, Dave celebrated 30 years of service with Smith’s. He is an active member of the Burlington Oldtimers’ Hockey Club and the Burlington Executives Network, and is a former Advisory Board Member of the Ron Edwards YMCA in Burlington.