Our Staff: Tony Slavin
September 16, 2007
Tony is a fourth generation funeral director and was born, raised and attended school in North Burnaby. He began his funeral service career in 1985 working alongside his father and grandfather. He received his professional training at B.C.I.T. through the B.C. Provincial Apprenticeship program. Read more
Our Staff: Jim Houseman
September 15, 2007
Jim was born and raised in Central Butte, Saskatchewan. Started in funeral service in 1966 in Saskatoon and was Saskatchewan Licensed in 1969. He came to Sands in Victoria, B.C. in February 1971 than moved to Vancouver, B.C. to Hamilton Mortuary in July 1972. In August 2005, he joined Tony Slavin “The Slavin Family,” to manage the Bell Funeral Chapel until the following year in which the Bell Chapel amalgamated with Burnaby Funeral Directors to be known as the Bell & Burnaby Funeral Chapel.
For up to twelve years, Jim served on the Board of Directors for the British Columbia Funeral Service Association and was President from 1997 through 1999. He followed the footsteps of Tony Slavin, General Manager who was also President from 1995 through 1997.
Active in his younger years with hockey and baseball and of course this being a Saskatchewan boy. Also coached baseball up to the time his son, Ryan who played with the Coquitlam Reds, Douglas College, the National Baseball Institute and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
Our Staff: Angela Maria Nicholson
September 12, 2007
Angela was born in Duncan, B.C. on Vancouver Island before her family moved and settled in North Burnaby. Angela graduated from Burnaby North Secondary and worked in various Medical clinics before starting in funeral service in 2000. Her career in funeral service started at Bell Funeral Chapel when it was located at Hastings and Slocan Streets in Vancouver. Her Italian heritage and language skills are a real comfort to the Italian families Bell & Burnaby Funeral Chapel serves. She continues to provide excellent support and service to the families she serves.
Our Staff: Rhoni Genge
September 11, 2007
Rhoni was raised in Langley. She began her career in funeral service as an office administrator in 2002. In 2004 she entered the Western School of Funeral Service. Joining Bell & Burnaby Funeral Chapel in 2005, she finished her education and graduated from the B.C. Provincial Apprenticeship Program in 2006. She enjoys spending time with her two children and has been volunteering over the past two years with an animal rescue group and a youth organization. Rhoni enjoys serving the families of Bell & Burnaby Funeral Chapel with great care and compassion.
Our Staff: Russ Laturnus
September 10, 2007
Russ was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and later moved with his family to Chilliwack, B.C. where he was raised and attended school. Russ began his funeral service career in 2003 working at the Vancouver Crematorium as a Cremation Technician. In 2005 he began his apprenticeship and entered the Western School of Funeral Service. He graduated in 2007 and was awarded the Academic Excellence Award, the Embalmer Award of Excellence and voted valedictorian by his classmates. Russ currently resides in Vancouver.
FAQ: What is the purpose of embalming?
September 10, 2007
Embalming retards the decomposition process and enhances the appearance of the body. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.
Our Staff: Aaron Morrison
September 9, 2007
Aaron was born in Vancouver, B.C., spending his formative years in Prince George before returning to Burnaby to complete his BA at Simon Fraser University. He completed his B.C. Provincial Apprenticeship Funeral program in 1996; working full time in the Funeral profession and later becoming Manager of Vancouver Memorial Services and Crematorium in 2000 and the General Manager of Hamilton Harron Funeral Home in 2006. In March of 2009, he joined his colleagues at Bell & Burnaby Funeral Chapel as Manager. Active in outdoor sports, Aaron has served or is serving on several professional boards as well as community and fraternal associations. Entering his 20th year in the Funeral profession, he continues his commitment to the families that he and his colleagues serve at Bell & Burnaby Funeral Chapel.