History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Scott & Barbieri Family Funeral Homes traces its origins to its founder Charles F. Scott (1925-2002) and the values upon which he prided himself as a funeral service professional for over 53 years and the values which hallmark the reputation of each of our funeral homes for generations…trust, honesty and respect.
In 2002 his daughter and son in law, Maria Scott Barbieri and Robert Barbieri, stepped forward to continue the family legacy, forming the Scott & Barbieri Family Funeral Homes. Maria and Bob were blessed to learn directly from their father/father in law what it takes to be the preferred funeral service provider and what it means to be a true leader in funeral service.
In 2010 a third generation of the family joined to help carry forward our tradition. Peter Kucera, Charles Scott’s grandson and Maria’s nephew, graduated from American Academy McAllister and is working in our Albany and Schenectady locations along with his wife Leah Kucera.
As a family, we are committed to the communities we serve and to maintaining the reputation our father established for excellence and honesty. Now in seven locations, three counties, and with three generations we continue, as our father did for 53 years, to deliver compassionate care to the living and dignity to the deceased.
Our Valued Staff
Robert Barbieri, President/ Funeral Director
Robert and his wife Maria are co-owners of Scott & Barbieri Family Funeral Homes. He proudly serves as President of the firm.
Robert graduated from Mercy College with a bachelor degree in Business and earned an applied science degree from American Academy McAllister in New York City. He was accepted and licensed to practice as a funeral director in both New York and New Jersey.
Prior to purchasing the Scott & Barbieri family of funeral homes, Robert served as funeral director and manager in two of the most prominent and renowned funeral homes in the United States, Riverside Memorial Chapel and Frank E. Campbell, The Funeral Chapel, both in New York City.
He brings a superior level of professional excellence to all that we do at Scott & Barbieri Family Funeral Homes.
Bob is a communicant of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church and member of its Bereavement Committee. He is also a board member of the LaSalle School in Albany, and a member of the Fort Orange Club.
Maria Scott-Barbieri, Vice President/ Funeral Director
Maria and her husband Robert, are co-owners of Scott & Barbieri Family Funeral Homes. She serves the organization as Vice-President, as well as caring for families as a licensed funeral director.
She received a BA in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1987, a JD from Brooklyn Law School in 1994 and an Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science from Hudson Valley Community College in 2005.She applied for, and was granted a Funeral Director license by the State of New York.
Maria serves on the board of several area non profit organizations. She is a current member of the Community Hospice Board of Directors, former Chairperson of the Community Hospice Foundation, and former Vice-Chair of the Board. Maria is a frequent contributor to the Scott & Barbieri sponsored Hospice Hour broadcast monthly on Talk 1300 radio.
She has been active in the Albany Rotary since 2002 and served as the Sergeant at Arms, Chairperson of the Charity Committee, and Rotary Foundation Board Member. Ms. Scott-Barbieri is a communicant of St Pius X and is active in the Albany Diocese as a board member of the Evangelist, and member of the Ladies of Charity.
Wendy Bulich, Funeral Director
Licensed NYS Funeral Director since 1991
Wendy has been a funeral director for over 20 years.
"I love my work, and I always have. Every day, I learn more about how to best serve our families."
She graduated of the Hudson Valley Community College Mortuary Science program.
Wendy has one daughter, and enjoys spending time with her family.
Richard C. Clark, Funeral Director
License NYS Funeral Director since 1961
Richard has been a funeral director for over 50 years. "I find my work as interesting today as I did in 1961, and even more rewarding."
He is a graduate of the Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science in Syracuse, New York. His tenure in funeral service prior to coming to Scott & Barbieri included serving families in Oneonta, Carthage, Delmar, and Albany, New York.
He has been married for over 50 years, to Ann White Clark. They have two grown children.
Richard is a long-standing member of the Bethlehem Lions Club, and the Bethlehem Lodge #85, F&AM, of Delmar, New York.
He loves the Adirondack Mountains, and spends time there hunting and fishing.
Mark J. DeSimone, Funeral Director
Mark De Simone has over 20 years in funeral service. "What I do is very important, because I'm able to help families during a very difficult time in their lives. It’s a time when emotions are running high, and decision-making is often difficult. I’m there to guide and ease them through the arrangement process.”
His academic background includes the study of Mortuary Science at Hudson Valley Community College, and course work at Mohawk Valley Community College.
Mark is passionate about community service. He is a member of the Queensbury Volunteer Fire Department, and Member of the West Glens Falls Emergency Squad. He is a Certified Paramedic for New York State. He is also a member of DMORT-WMD, the disaster response team and has been called out to many global, federal, state and local disaster incidents. Mark serves on the Kenyon Emergency Response Team, and the New York State Disaster Commission. He also serves as the Warren County Mass Fatality Coordinator.
His recreational passion is for flying, both small, fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters. Mark has two children, Kristan and Brian.
Leah Kucera, Funeral Director
Licensed NYS Funeral Director since 2009
Leah has been in funeral service with Scott & Barbieri since 2011; however she gained a great deal of experience during her tenure with Frank E. Campbell-The Funeral Chapel, in New York City (where she met her husband, Peter Kucera, who also works with us.)
“I feel honored to be able to assist families in creating a truly unique, meaningful tribute to a life well-lived. I am also very proud to be part of a team of talented professionals, all of whom who serve the community with genuine focus and compassion.”
Leah attended the University of Wisconsin, in Oshkosh, the Milwaukee Area Technical College, and graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, in New York City, in 2008.
She was born and raised in Wisconsin, enjoys baking, camping and photography.
Peter Kucera, Funeral Director
Licensed NYS Funeral Director since 2012.
Peter graduated from State University of New York at Albany in 2008 with a B.A in Psychology and the American Academy McAllister Institute in 2010 with an Associate Degree in Mortuary Science. Before joining the family firm, he worked at Frank E. Campbell, The Funeral Chapel in New York City while attending Mortuary School.
Peter enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family and friends and volunteering in the community alongside his wife, Leah Kucera.
Michael J. May, Funeral Director
Licensed NYS Funeral Director since 1994
Michael is a graduate of SUNY Canton College where he received an AS degree in Mechanical Engineering and an AS in Mortuary Science. Michael is uniquely trained in the funeral rites and rituals of diverse cultures and religions. He is a devout Roman Catholic, a communicant of St John the Evangelist and the proud father of five children. Michael is also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of America, Division One, in Schenectady, and the Irish American Club.
Sarah A. Philo, Funeral Director
Licensed NYS Funeral Director since 2001.
Sarah began working for the Scott & Barbieri Family in the Spring of 2015. She brings with her a wealth of experience and compassion to the families we serve.
Samantha L. Reedy, Funeral Director
Licensed NYS Funeral Director since 2021
Patrick Cremmins, Funeral Assistant
Joseph Sorrentino, Funeral Assistant
Joseph Sorrentino has been a Funeral Assistant with the Scott & Barbieri firm for several years.
Joe worked for 32 years at General Electric as a welder/assembler before his retirment in 1997. He is married to Joan and has three children and eight grandchildren.
He is a member of St. Paul's Apostle Church and serves as Head Usher. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Latham.
Dave Rainville, Funeral Assistant
Ronald Barrett, Funeral Assistant
Bill Rogers, Funeral Assistant
Terry Van Valkenburgh, Funeral Director
Licensed NYS Funeral Director since 1965
Terry comes from a long line of funeral directors which began with his grandfather, Mr. Griswold, and then his father, Mr. Van Valkenburgh.
The Griswold-Van Valkenburgh legacy derives from the founding of Griswold Funeral Home in 1933. Throughout the following decades, the firm served the Schenectady community with professional, ethical service, and sensitivity.
Terry is the past president of the New York State Funeral Directors Association and currently serves on its Board of Directors. He was on the formation committee to bring Hospice to the Schenectady Community and serviced as its first president.
His is District Vice President of the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association, a past president and current member of the Schenectady East Rotary Club; a volunteer with the SICM Summer Lunch Program and a communicant of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Schenectady. Terry is married and has five grown children.
Craig Sullivan, Funeral Director 1940 ~ 2016
August 25,1940 ~ July 8, 2016
Licensed NYS Funeral Director
Craig Sullivan was a funeral director for over 50 years and was with Sullivan-Minahan & Potter since 1968, serving along side his father, The Late John M. Sullivan.
Craig was member of the Elks Lodge 81 and Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a communicant of the Church of Our Lady of the Annunciation.
Craig was married to Marion for 48 wonderful years and had 2 daughters, Karen and Evelyn, 3 wonderful grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters.
William Morgan, Funeral Director 1940 - 2011
William was a part of The While Funeral Home for 40 years, and had close to 50 years of experience as a funeral service professional.
His educational credentials included graduation from the Simmons School of Embalming and Mortuary Science, in Syracuse, and course work in Bacteriology at that same institution. He also attended Union College, studying Psychology.
William leaves four children, two step-children, and several foster children. He was very active in social organizations, including Glenville Elks, the Guan-Ho-Ha fish and Game Club, and the Scotia Rotary, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a Social Member of the Scotia Volunteer Fire Department. While he was an active member, William served as Vice President of the John Miller Hook and Ladder Company 724.
Al Beverly, Funeral Assistant
1935 - 2012
Al Beverly was a beloved member of the funeral home family and worked as a Funeral Assistant with the Griswold Funeral Home for over 11 years.
Al Beverly, 76, of Schenectady passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2012 with his family by his side. Born in Schenectady on October 2, 1935, he was the son of the late Edward and Dorothy (nee: Gavin) Beverly. Al was a life long Woodlawn, Schenectady resident and a graduate of Nott Terrace High School. He was employed for many years for the City of Schenectady as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement. He was a member of the Rotterdam Elks, Schenectady Vets Club and long standing member of the Operating Engineers Union Local 158. He was proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed watching his grandsons play baseball and his granddaughter dance. Al will be remembered for his devotion to his family and friends, his honesty and straight forwardness, integrity and keen sense of humor. He was a sincere man, tough on the outside and gentle and emotional on the inside.