Our funeral home is a family owned and operated business. We are large enough to give our families the same service as the largest funeral homes around, yet we are small enough that each family gets the level of attention and care they deserve.The funeral home was founded by William J. Lyons Jr. in 1950. For the first year of operation the funeral home was located at 504 East Street in Rensselaer. From 1951 to April 1967 the funeral home was located at 513 Washington Avenue Rensselaer next to St. Anthony's on the Hudson and the past 35 years at 1700 Washinton Avenue Rensselaer. Bill Jr. passed away in 1997 and his son Bill III is continuing the tradition set by his father. Licensed since 1979 Bill III is current manager of the facility.Thank you for visiting our website and we encourage you to look at the other areas that are available.
Our Staff
| William J. Lyons III Director and Licensed Manager Lifelong resident of Rensselaer. Billy was a 1970 graduate of St. Joseph's School in Rensselaer, a 1974 graduate of LaSalle Institue in Troy, a 1976 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science and a 1979 graduate of Siena College with a degree in Marketing and Management. He has been a licensed funeral director since 1979 and had worked with his father since his early ages. | ||
| Wayne F. Simmons Licensed Funeral Director Born and raised in Watervliet. Graduate of Immaculate Conception School and Watervliet High School class of 1974. Wayne worked 22 years at Al Tech Specialty Steel Corp. in Watervliet and retired in 1999. He is a 2002 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. He resides in Rensselaer with his wife of over 25 years Betty Jean Donlon Simmons and his children Lindsay, Frank and Danielle. | ||
| Caitlin M. Hicks Registered Resident Born and raised in Dutchess County. Caitlin was a 2005 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic High School. With having a calling to become a funeral director since a young age, Caitlin attend Hudson Valley Community College and graduated in 2007. With successful completion of passing the National Board Examination, Caitlin is now serving her residency at the funeral home. She is the loving daughter of Brian and Elizabeth Hicks. | ||
| Victor Cipollari Associate Vic has been involved with funeral service for over 27 years, 20 of which have been with Bill Jr. and Bill III at the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home making sure things are well conducted. He is a graduate of Van Rensselaer High School and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Vic after 35 years of service retired as a supervisor with the United States Postal Service and lives in Rensselaer with his wife Pat. He is the father of four daughters Terry, Vicky, Tina and Monica. Also associated with us: | ||
| James J. Donnelly Jr. Associate Jim has been associated with the funeral home for the past 8 years in many helpful capacities. Jim is a graduate of St. John's Academy in Rensselaer and attended St. Michaels College in VT. and Siena College and is a graduate of Cornell University Labor Studies Program. Jim is a retiree of Niagra Mohawk Power Co., he resides in East Greenbush with his wife Charlotte. Jim is the father of Jackie and Jay. | ||
| Marjorie R. (Brown) Carpinello Associate Marge is a licensed funeral director and has been involved in funeral service for over 20 years. She has been affiliated with us for 8 years.Marge was born and raised in Rensselaer and is a graduate of Van Rensselaer High School. She is a 1983 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College with a degree in Mortuary Science. Marge resides in East Schodack with her husband Dan. She is the mother of four daughters M. Joyce, Michelle, Tracey and Toni. | ||