STAFF

Gene Connell - Funeral Director
Pat Connell - Funeral Director
Gene and Pat Connell have been licensed as funeral directors in the state of Pennsylvania since the 1970's. Partners in the ownership and operation of Connell Funeral Home, Pat attained his license in 1972, Gene in 1978. While both function on a daily basis as funeral directors they also wear the many hats required to manage the operational, financial and administrative details of the company. Having grown up in the apartment above the funeral home the brothers know on a very deep and personal level just what it means to provide the type of service that "goes beyond the expected, every step of the way."

Pat and his wife Chris (Straub) have three children; Anne, Nick and Matt. Pat has been active in countless community and professional organizations. He is a past president/chairman of Eastern Pa. Funeral Directors Association, Bethlehem Area Boys and Girls Club, Bethlehem Rotary and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation to name a few.

Gene is married to Jan (Pakulski) and has two children; Owen and Katie. Gene has been active with local youth organizations and is a past president of Northeast Little League. He has served on the Advisory Board of Bethlehem Catholic High School and, with his brother Jim, a Bethlehem attorney, co-chaired the initial year of its Endowment Fund.

Jan Connell - Controller
Jan was born in Baltimore, Md. Her father worked for Bethlehem Steel and moved his family from Baltimore to Indiana to Bethlehem over the years. Jan is responsible for the bookkeeping/accounting of the company. She has been very active in the community over the years. She is past president of the former Bethlehem JayCee Wives and the Hanover School PTO. She has given years of dedicated service to Northeast Little League and has served as a Eucharistic Minister and Retreat Team Facilitator at St. Anne's Catholic Church.

Owen Connell - Funeral Director
Owen finished the mortuary program at Northampton Area Community College in 2001, attaining his Associate Degree in Funeral Sciences. After completing his internship and passing the boards he attained his funeral director licensed in August of 2003. Owen and his wife Jennifer have four children, Aidan, Ian, Ella and Ava. In his free time Owen enjoys riding his Harley Davidson.

James M. Connell, Jr. - Funeral Director
James, a.k.a. Jamie, finished the mortuary program at Northampton Area Community College in 2002, attaining his Associate Degree in Funeral Sciences. After completing his internship and passing his boards he became licensed in November of 2003. Jamie is also a graduate of Wilkes University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science/Business Administration. He played as a Free Safety for the Wilkes football team prior to being an Assistant Defensive Coach for the University. He also played 2nd base for the Wilkes baseball team. He is a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus and plays softball in the Bethlehem City League in his off time. Jamie lives in Bethlehem with his wife Angela and son Evan.

Matthew P. Connell - Funeral Director
Matt finished the mortuary science program at Northampton Area Community College in 2004, attaining his Associate Degree in Funeral Sciences. And attained his funeral director license in 2005. Matt is also a graduate of Moravian College with a Bachelor Degree in Business Management. Matt and his wife Joy have one son, Daniel and one daughter, Samantha. Matt is an avid sports fan, especially the University of Notre Dame.

Gary Hartney - Funeral Director
Gary was born and raised in Bethlehem. A graduate of Northampton County Area Community College's Mortuary Science program, Gary has been employed at Connell Funeral Home since 1983 and serves as the funeral home's "resident expert" in all matters regarding pre-arranged funeral planning. He is very active in community affairs. He is a past president of the Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary and the National Bowling League at the Sokols. In his free time Gary enjoys a round of golf.

Jay Mayes - Funeral Director
A licensed funeral director since 1982, Jay has been with Connell Funeral Home since 1994. He graduated with a B.S. degree from East Stroudsburg University in 1979, where he was the captain of the basketball team, and the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1980. Originally from Lehighton, PA Jay and his wife Nancy live in the Bethlehem area. Jay enjoys golf, tennis, world travel and playing the trumpet.

Scott Raab - Funeral Director

Scott graduated with honors from Northampton Community College Funeral Service Education in 1992 and attained his PA Funeral Director's license in 1993. Scott's focus and responsibility is the sacred, dignified preparation and presentation of the deceased, along with ethical care and service to bereaved families. His main role is an expert embalmer, post-mortem reconstructive  specialist and talented restorative artist. Scott is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) and the funeral home's OSHA Chief Safety Officer. Scott's involvements include: Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice  (APFSP), British Institute of Embalmers (BIE) and American Society of Embalmers (ASE). 

Susan McCarthy - Administrative Secretery Sue has been employed at Connell Funeral Home since 2001 and holds the position of Administrative Secretary. She produces all the paperwork and printed materials for each service and serves as the main support person to our funeral directors. When you call Connell Funeral Home Sue will most likely answer the phone with a friendly voice and an offer of assistance. Sue loves music (she has a beautiful voice and does a great job as a DJ) and her Siberian Huskies, Teka and Kaya.

John DeStasio - Operations Manager
John serves as our day to day manager. He makes sure we are properly staffed for all services, have the right vehicles in the right places at the right times and that everything is in order and running smoothly. He also oversees our part time staff, which numbers about 15 people. John has been affiliated with Connell Funeral Home for over 20 years as a member of our part time staff. He retired after a distinguished career as a Bethlehem Fire Fighter in 2005 and joined us full time in his current capacity. John and his wife Ellie live in Bethlehem and have two children, Greg and Marissa. John is well known in the community and is active in all things involving city youth and recreation.

Nancy Drumm - Financial Secretary
Nancy joined Connell Funeral Home in January of 2007. As Financial Secretary she works closely with Jan Connell, our Controller, and is responsible for accounts receivable and accounts payable. Nancy is enrolled for classes at Northampton Community College, has two grown children, Leaf and Holly, enjoys music and loves to sew.