Our Retired Staff
(The Late) Jeffrey L. Morgan (December 13, 1960 - February 22, 2004)
Managing Director
Former Managing Director Jeff Morgan was born in Niagara-on-the-Lake and moved to Niagara Falls in 1971. After graduating from Stamford Collegiate in 1979, he attended Humber College, obtaining his funeral director's license in 1981. Since that time, he had been associated with Morgan Funeral Homes.
Jeff lived in Niagara Falls with wife Nancy and their children, Kyla, Michael, Brittney, Lisa and Nicole. A member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, he had served as Chairman of the Church Council, Deacon, Lector and a member of many committees. Jeff was heavily involved in community affairs as well. He had been a member of the Niagara Falls Lions Club since 1985 and was a past president. He has also served on the Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation Board for most of the past twelve years, including two years as chairman. During this time, he had been instrumental in raising over $10 million for hospital equipment and renovations. As well, he had served on the hospital's Board of Governors, and was the elected Foundation representative on the Niagara Health Services Board at the time of his death.
In January 2007, at the opening ceremony of the newly built Emergency Department located at the Greater Niagara General Hospital site, the Niagara Health System honoured Jeff's longtime devotion by naming the new department as the Jeff Morgan Emergency Department.
(The Late) Elizabeth Morgan (January 10, 1927 – June 11, 2020)
Managing Director
Betty was a retired managing director of Morgan Funeral Homes and had been a resident of Niagara Falls since she and her husband Gordon acquired the Morse & Son Funeral Home in 1971. Betty and Gordon had also operated the Morgan Funeral Home in Niagara-on-the-Lake since its opening in 1959.
Betty received her R.N. from the Toronto Western Hospital and later went on to graduate with honours from Humber College’s Funeral Service Education program. She was a member of the Ontario Funeral Service Association and the Niagara District Funeral Service Association.
Betty was an active funeral director until her retirement in 1990. Betty was active in a number of community organizations, including the U.C.W. of Grace United Church, both the Niagara and Stamford Chapters of the I.O.D.E, as a Rotary-Ann with Niagara Falls Rotary Club, and then as a charter member and past-president of the Zonta Club of Niagara Falls. In her retirement years, she enjoyed all her groups of friends, including the Swim Club, lunches with former Zontians, and friends from the University Women’s Club.
(The Late) Gordon E. Morgan (August 17, 1927 - December 25, 2024)
Managing Director
A second-generation funeral director, retired owner and Managing Director Gordon Morgan was born in Drayton, Ontario and had been a resident of Niagara Falls since he and his late wife Betty purchased the Morse & Son Funeral Home in 1971. They had also operated the Morgan Funeral Home in Niagara-on-the-Lake since its opening in 1959.
He was a graduate of The Banting Institute of Embalming at the University of Toronto. Gordon was involved in a number of activities in his profession and in the community. He was a member and past-president of the Niagara District Funeral Service Association and a member of the Ontario Funeral Service Association. He was also a longtime member of Grace United Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake. An active member of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls for 40 years, where he had served as liaison for the Easter Seals Children's Committee. In addition, he had served as a member of the former Niagara High School Board.
Marny Atkinson
Bereavement Coordinator
Marny Atkinson started with Morse & Son and Morgan Funeral Homes in December 1999 and retired in February 2017. She was Morgan's Bereavement Coordinator and is a Certified Funeral Celebrant. Her training includes psychiatric-nursing, Writing for Professionals at Niagara College, and Thanatology at King's College, University of Western Ontario.
Gordon Flanaghan
Funeral Assistant
(The Late) Bruno Franze (1933 - 2014)
Funeral Assistant
Bruno Franze, who came to Canada from his native Italy in 1951, was associated with Morgan Funeral Homes since February 2000 as a funeral assistant. Prior to this, Bruno was a long time employee with Gerber Foods for thirty eight years. Bruno and his wife, Mary, were active members of Club Italia, and members of Our Lady of the Scapular Church, where Bruno was a Hospitality Minister and an altar server.
(The Late) Isabel Garner (1934 - 2026)
Hospitality
Isabel is a receptionist at Morse & Son and Morgan Funeral Homes. Before her time at the funeral home, Isabel worked for Coutts Library Services for twenty three years. She has four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her leisure activities include singing with a ladies chorus both in competition and community performances.
Glen McCrae
Funeral Assistant
(The Late) Diana Irene (Burch) Nazwaski (1940 - 2009)
Receptionist
Delhi, Ontario native Irene Burch retired after serving as a receptionist with Morgan Funeral Homes from October 1989 to May 2005. Before working at the funeral home, Irene held a number of secretarial positions. Her two grown children are Drew and Kyle, and she has one grandson.
(The Late) Eugene Oatley (1940 - 2026)
Funeral Assistant
Born in Stamford Half Way, Eugene married and moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, then to Chippawa and now is in Niagara Falls. Being retired, he has spent 29 years as VP of Administration of Niagara Plumbing Supply, 3 years Buyer at Horton Steel Works and 10 years in the roles of Payroll, Accounting, and Buyer at Canadian Ohio Brass. Eugene is married to Patricia and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. He is active in the Niagara Falls Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Niagara Falls and the Col. John Butler Branch of UELAC. Eugene has been working on his family tree for over 20 years and has received UE designation in 2006 as a descendant of a United Empire Loyalist. He is also a member of Southminster United Church, and former Niagara Presbytery Licensed Lay Preacher.
(The Late) Andy Paterson (1933 - 2022)
Funeral Assistant
Born in Fife, Scotland, Andy moved to Niagara Falls in 1967. After a career as a licensed mechanic and former owner/operator of Paterson Auto Repair, Andy joined Morse & Son and Morgan Funeral Homes in January 1990 where he has been a full time, and more recently part-time funeral assistant. Andy and his wife Carole have five children and nine grandchildren. His community involvement includes serving as an elder and choir member of Drummond Hill Presbyterian Church, coaching minor soccer for seven years and as a past master of the Clifton Lodge.
(The Late) John Reilly (1945 - 2026)
Funeral Assistant
Judy Sibley
Organist & Choir Director
Judy was born and raised in Niagara Falls. She has two adult children and five wonderful grandchildren. She is the Organist and Choir Director at Drummond Hill Presbyterian Church. Judy also works part time as a medical secretary. In her spare time she enjoys knitting, reading and cooking.
(The Late) George Snider (1921 - 2014)
Funeral Assistant
George was with Morgan Funeral Homes for more than twenty years. He served overseas during WWII with the Canadian Forces and then went on to work for General Motors for thirty years. His family includes wife Mary and children Betty, Allen and Douglas. George was a member of Grace United Church in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Outside activities included involvement with the St. Davids Lions Club and the Virgil Stampede.
(The Late) Eric Spink (1936-2019)
Funeral Assistant
Funeral assistant Eric Spink came to Niagara from England in 1966. Educated in the U.K., Eric worked for the City of Niagara Falls, and was a a supervisor for the Municipal Cemeteries for over 10 years prior to retiring and joining Morgan Funeral Homes in April 1998. Eric lived in Niagara Falls with his late wife, Sheila. They had four sons and three daughters.
Kathy Visentin
Hospitality
Kathy Visentin is a native of Niagara Falls who joined the staff of Morgan Funeral Homes October 1999 in the capacity of housekeeper/hostess/receptionist and has recently become a full-time receptionist. Prior to becoming a "stay at home mom", Kathy was a teacher for special needs children from 1977 to 1981. Kathy's educational background includes a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from Brock University. Her family includes her husband, Gino, daughter Laura and her husband Dan, son Geoff and his wife Rebecca, and grandchildren Molly, Sam and Fiona.
Martha Gleddie
Hospitality
Born and raised in Toronto, Martha and her Chiropractor husband John moved to Niagara- on-the-Lake, along with their daughters, Sarah and Heather, in 1992. Martha joined the Morgan Funeral Home team in 2013 as a Receptionist / Housekeeper. Martha holds a diploma in Gerontology / Palliative Care from Niagara College, has served as chair of Hospice Niagara, and in her spare time enjoys running and cycling throughout Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Linda Thwaites
Receptionist
Born in Niagara Falls, Linda grew up and attended schools in the area. She graduated from Niagara College with a Social Services Diploma and was employed by Niagara Support Services prior to her 'retirement'. Linda continues to volunteer in the community with Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army Christmas Baskets and at Stamford Presbyterian Church. Her family consists of daughter, Heather, and son, Scott and his wife Nicole, and most importantly, her grandchildren, Mackenzie and Tiana. In her leisure time Linda enjoys reading, puzzles, and playing the piano/organ.
(The Late) Neil Stoetzel (1945-2025)
Funeral Assistant
Born in Brandon, Manitoba, Neil moved to Niagara at the age of 5, where at an early age he assisted his parents in the operation of Black Horse Garage and Grocery, their family business.
Neil’s desire to help others in need and his interest in cultural differences brought him employment as a part time Funeral Director Assistant in the beginning of September 2009. Neil previously served 34 years of employment as a custodian for the Niagara District School Board, spending the latter 28 years at Ridgeway Public where he was known as “Mr. Neil”.
Neil is proud of his family of 1 son, 2 daughters, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
