Our Staff

Meet the staff of Bell Burnaby Funeral Chapel

Our Staff: Tony Slavin

Tony Slavin
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. Tony was actively involved with the B.C. Funeral Service Association from 1986 - 1999 and served a two year term as president from 1995 - 1997. He has been involved with other community organizations including Burnaby Hospice and the Knights of Columbus. Tony is proud of his family heritage and service to the Burnaby and Vancouver Communities.

Our Staff: Jim Houseman

Jim Houseman
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

Angela Nicholson
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

Rhoni Genge
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

Russ Laturnus
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.

Our Staff: Aaron Morrison

Aaron Morrison
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.