He is a 1970 graduate of the University of Minnesota with a B.S.M.S. in Medical Science and a Major in Mortuary Science. He recently received his PHD in Funeral Service Education. He has done graduate work in Thanatological Science at the University of Minnesota, Public Health Administration at New Jersey City University, and Value Development at Central State University in Oklahoma. He is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner and Certified Preplanning Consultant and a charter member of the Funeral Ethics Association.

After college, Lou Stellato served in the United States Air Force from 1970-1974, where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his honorable discharge, he was elected to the Board of Commissioners in the Township of Lyndhurst in 1982 where he served as Commissioner of Public Affairs and Public Works until 1989. In 1989 he was elected as Mayor of the Township and served as such until 1997 when he did not seek re-election.

Professionally, Lou Stellato is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, Preferred Funeral Directors, Bergen County Funeral Directors where he has served as president and board of director. A member of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, he is also a member of the President's Club. He was inducted into the Lyndhurst High School Academic Hall of Fame. He was named to the New Jersey State Board of Mortuary Science in 2005 by the Governor and is presently serving as the President of the Board. He is also the Director of Administration of the Bergen County Medical Examiner's Office.

Lou Stellato has been involved in numerous community service organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, Elks Lodge, Knights of Columbus, Columbian Foundation, and South Bergen branch of the American Cancer Society. He has served as president of the Lyndhurst Jaycees, Unico, and the Meadowlands Division of the American Heart Association. He was a founder of the Lyndhurst Key Club, Lyndhurst Nutrition Center for the Senior Citizens, Lyndhurst Blood Bank, and Child Shield Program. He served on the Board of Governors of the Greater Hospital of Passaic and is now on the Board of Directors of West Hudson Hospital. He was Chairman of the Bergen/Passaic ARC, March of Dimes, Mayor's Youth Guidance Council, and Student Loan Fund. Lou Stellato is also a member of the West Essex Chamber of Commerce, Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce, and Edgewater Business Alliance.

On a personal note, Lou Stellato is married to the former Linda Stella and they have three grown children, Tracey, Dorianne, and Louis. The entire family takes an active role in the Stellato Funeral Homes.

He is also well respected by his peers and is a member of the Bergen County Funeral Directors Association and New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association.

Formerly residents of Weehawken, NJ the Mikatarian family chose to relocate to Fort Lee in 1953. After graduating with honors from Fort Lee High School, Ken made the decision to continue his education at Long Island University, Upon completion of his coursework at this institution, it would be further decided that he would attend the American Academy of Funeral Services in New York City. During the time of his schooling at the academy, Kenneth was recognized by the administration, faculty members and peers for the high standards of ethics and professionalism he held toward the profession, which earned him the prestigious Class Citizenship award.

Since the early age of sixteen, Ken has had exposure to the profession, allowing him the opportunity to learn from colleagues and to grow as a professional within the field. His career began at the Nekar-Sharpe Funeral Home located in Union City, which was owned by his cousin Harold Azmelian. Ken then joined Leber Funeral Home, located in Union City where he remained an integral staff member until 1970. He then want on to become and owner and partner in the Frank A. Patti and Kenneth Mikatarian Funeral, formerly Heus Funeral Home, for 33 years. Ken has now moved on to join the well respected Hunt-Stellato Funeral Home in Fort Lee where he will serve as its Manager. His knowledge and love of Fort Lee and the surrounding communities will certainly play an integral part in the Hunt-Stellato Funeral Home tradition of community involvement and its tradition of excellence.

Ken has been happily married to Annabelle (nee Casbar), a local resident from Palisades Park. Together they have two children, Anthony and Kristin. Anthony wed Jacqueline (nee Sudano) of Dumont and has been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Kayla and Victoria, making Ken and Annabelle proud grandparents.

Anthony is currently employed as a police officer in Leonia. Their daughter recently graduated from Seton Hall University's School of Graduate Medical Education with a master's degree in Occupational Therapy and married Raymond Forsdahl, also a Leonia police officer. The family remains active in St. Michael's Church in Palisades Park, St. John's Church in Leonia, as well as Holy Cross Armenian Church in Union City. Ken and his family are extremely active in many community activities. They plan and organize the men's retreat at the San Alfanso retreat in Long Branch, and fundraise for special causes. Ken is an active member of the Four Foundation, an organization based in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, devoted to raising money for research to benefit children with brain tumors. He and his family donate much time and money to help feed the homeless in local communities. Ken has also earned an honorable lifetime membership to the NJ PTA for all of the time and effort he has given to local schools for the betterment of education of all children.

Ken has been a volunteer firefighter in Fort Lee for over 39 years, and has held the positions of lieutenant and captain. He has been asked to run for Chief many times throughout his volunteer career and was honored at a dinner in his behalf for his untiring dedication to the fire department and the community. His fondest memory is when his son Anthony decided to join ranks with him in his fire company. Ken is a believer in giving back to the community, and has proven to do that throughout his life.

He joined Engine Co. #1 of the Fort Lee Volunteer Fire Department following in the footsteps of his grandfather Charles Hunt who founded the department and served as its first Chief. Jim served as both lieutenant and captain at the department, receiving exempt status in 1963 and is still a member. Jim has been honored by several Fort Lee and county organization. As a past president of the Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce, he was honored as their Man of the Year in 1978. He also served a director of the Fort Lee Parking Authority and Civil Defense Director of Fort Lee. A member of the Fort Lee Athletic Club, Jim was their Man of the Year in 1997. He is a also a longtime member of the Fort Lee Knights of Columbus Coronation Counsel #1863. In 1996 he received an award form the Bergen County Funeral Directors Association for outstanding years of compassionate and professional service. The silver life member award was bestowed upon him in 1994 by the Fort Lee PBA #245 for his years of dedicated service to them. Other awards he has received include a certificate of commendation from William Schuber in 1997 and the Saint Michael Award from the Church of the Good Shepherd in 1985, an award given for recognition of service to the entire community. Jim was a member of the Bergen County 200 Club from 1988-1996. He was a leadership member of the Boy Scouts of America in 1991 and was also honored by the Fort Lee Elks. A very active member at Madonna Church, Jim served as an usher and assisted in Madonna CYO, Bingo and the Carnival.

"Jim is a familiar face that everyone loves. He knows Fort Lee inside and out, and is the person we can always count on here in the funeral home."

Married to the former Linda Tesaro, they have 4 children; Jimmy who is a detective with the Fort Lee Police Dept., Shawn who is a patrolman with the Fort Lee Police Dept., Danny who works with Jaguar in Mahwah, and Lauren who is the Director of Autism Services at the Sawtelle Learning Center in Montclair and a member of the Fort Lee Fire Dept. They have two grandchildren and one on the way.

At age 19 Steve began working part-time in a family-owned funeral home in Clifton and continued to do so until he entered American Academy - McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City. A 1976 graduate of AAMI, he served his apprenticeship and received his funeral director's license in 1977.

"Steve is meticulous in his work and attends to every detail for the families he serves," says Lou Stellato.

Steve has worked in various capacities of funeral service for 42 years and at Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home for 20 years. He resides in Fairfield, above the funeral home, and is a member of St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus Council 6380. He has two adult children, Steven and Joy.

Immediately following she attended the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ. Graduating with a B.S. in Biology in '73 she continued as a graduate student at Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry, Hackensack, NJ. While receiving her MS in Human Anatomy, she was involved in reaserch, publication, prosection and instruction in the Department of Human Anatomy and anatomical gift program at FDU School of Dentistry. She was involved in research, publication, and demonstration and projection in the Department of Anatomy and anatomical gift program at FDU School of Dentistry. She enrolled in post-graduate courses at NYU that included aging and cell biology. Toni later returned to the Dental School as a research assistant on a Cancer Institute grant on the role of monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment.

Starting her career in funeral service, Toni attended American Academy McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science, NYC receiving her degree in Mortuary Science in 1975 followed by licensure in NJ in 1976. Subsequently, she has represented several funeral homes in Northern and Central NJ as a licensed funeral director, primary arranger, and preplanning/prefunding director offering all types of funeral preplanning tailored to meet the individual or family wishes, to assist in preparation for Medicaid spend down or to compliment eldercare planning. In order to offer a variety of pre-need options to families, Toni maintains a New Jersey and Florida funeral director's license. She currently holds the designation CSA (certified senior advisor) as well as a NJ Life & Health Insurance producers license to offer funeral insurance pre-payment options. Holding a CLTC (certified long-term care insurance) designation Toni is also able to discuss this planning strategy to interested individuals. Other related interests to her field have brought her to be certified by Wills Eye Hospital in affiliation with NJ Eye Bank as an anatomical gift enucleator. For several years Toni also volunteered with Northwest Bergen Hospice bereavement group ...helping individuals cope with their specific losses and adjust to their changed lives.

In talking about Toni, Lou Stellato says "She is very easy to talk to. Toni truly cares for the families she deals with and makes pre-arranging comfortable."

Personally, Toni and her husband, Dr. Albert F. Kuchler, have lived in the Bergen and Passaic County area for many years. Albert maintains oral surgery practices in Hawthorne and Wayne with surgical affiliation to Chilton Hospital.

Having always been in the area, being active in the local as well as professional community has always been very important to Toni. She is a member of the National Funeral Director's Association, New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, International Cemetery and Funeral Directors Association. She is a longtime member in the Bergen County Funeral Director's Assn. as well as former Secretary-Treasurer, past president and currently serves on their Board of Directors. The NJ Funeral Service Education Corporation appointed her as a Board Member in the 1990's. Toni has earned several regional awards as a pre-planning counselor in this region. Other memberships currently held include the National Assn. of Female Executives, The Alliance of AAOMS, the Ringwood Woman's Club and WEXNET and The Friends of Frelingheuysen. Having volunteered at Valley Hospital for several years, she also maintains memberships in Valley Hospital and Chilton Hospital Auxiliaries.

While studying at Drew Univesity, Lou was a pitcher for the university baseball team and a co-captain of the team in his senior year. Lou donates much of his free time to the coaching of young children and teenagers, especially in his favorite sport of baseball. Lou's outgoing personality, compassion, and eagerness to help has made him a favorite among the families we serve. Lou is a member of the Bergen County Funeral Director's Association, New Jersey Funeral Director's Association and National Funeral Director's Association.

Dorianne worked as a Registered Nurse at Hackensack University Hospital. She graduated, with honors, from Mercer County College and has received her Funeral Director's License. Dori brings her expertise and compassion from her nursing background to all three Stellato Funeral Homes.

Dori is a member of the Bergen County Funeral Director's Association, New Jersey Funeral Director's Association and National Funeral Director's Association.

As she works with the families we serve in Lyndhurst, Fairfield, and Fort Lee, her compassion and caring ways are a great asset. Dorianne lives in Fairfield with her new husband Joseph Kryzsiak.

She has held an active role in the all three funeral homes, Lyndhurst, Fairfield, and Fort Lee, serving families in all aspects. Linda takes great pride in decorating the three funeral homes personally, giving them a bright, home-like atmosphere where families can feel comfortable. One of her favorite roles in the business is organizing the Holiday Memorial Program each year since it's inception in 1991. It is an after-care program that helps survivors cope with the holidays and brings them comfort. The mother of three children, Tracey, Dorianne, and Louis, she has volunteered in a wide number of organizations that they have been involved in. This included the Columbus-Lincoln PTA of which she served as president, the Lyndhurst High School PTA, Lyndhurst High School Band Association of which she was president, and the Project Graduation Committee of which she was chairman several times. Linda is now the president of the Board of Trustees of the Lyndhurst United Methodist Church and serves as its Sunday School Superintendant.

A veteran of funeral home offices, she efficiently and competently executes the mountains of paperwork involved with each and every funeral, while lending a compassionate ear to all the families we serve. "Doreen makes everyone who comes through our doors feel at home. She goes above and beyond when it comes to serving our families," Lou Stellato says. A licensed hairdresser, she brings her expertise to our preparation of ladies for viewing, coloring and styling hair. Doreen lives in Fort Lee with her daughter, Amanda, who attends Montclair University.

A graduate of the Lyndhurst school system and Jersey City State College, Rose and her husband, Lou own the Italian Villa in North Arlington. She has three children, James, Marianne and Bobby. James is married to Donna and they have given Rosie a grandson, James Dominic. She has volunteered much of her time to school functions including the Columbus-Lincoln PTA and the Lyndhurst High School Band Association. Her need to keep active led to her seeking employment after her children completed their education. She is presently office administrator of Fairfield office and is there to assist the families in any way possible. "Rosie is a friendly voice and a smiling face to all. Nothing is ever too much for her in terms of service," says Lou Stellato.

She has since earned two Masters Degrees, one in Education from Marygrove College and one in Supervision from Felician College, where she graduated as the salutatorian of the class. Tracey heads the "Healing Hearts" program in our funeral homes, a program that assists children who have had a loss. Tracey is also involved with our Pursuit of Excellence program which encompasses all of the outreach programs that our funeral homes are involved in. She has just received her Ed.D. in Education from Novus University.