Our Staff

Our Valued Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Daniel J. Ford

Daniel J. Ford

President/Owner

Dan attended Holy Cross High School in Waterbury and graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1992. Twelve days after graduation, Dan’s passion for funeral service led him to mortuary school in Dedham, MA. He Graduated from the former New England Institute at Mount Ida College in Massachusetts with a degree in science. He served his apprenticeship at the former Tomlinson Funeral Homes in Danbury and New Fairfield.


In 1997 Dan returned to Alderson’s and later attended Naugatuck Valley Community College in Waterbury where he studied Fire Science. He received the Eagle Scout award as a member of Troop 102 in Naugatuck.


Dan is a former employee of Medstar Ambulance/American Medical Response of Waterbury, a past member of the Naugatuck Volunteer Ambulance Corp. where he served as Lieutenant and President, and was a member of the Naugatuck Volunteer Fire Company. After many years of volunteering Dan was hired as a career firefighter in the Naugatuck Fire Department in 1997 and after 11 years of service retired in October of 2008.  Dan was an active member of the Naugatuck Firefighters Local 1219, holding the position of Union Vice-President and was the Co-Chairman of the Firefighters' “Toys for Kids” annual Christmas toy drive to benefit less fortunate children in the Naugatuck and Beacon Falls areas.  In 2007, he was named the Naugatuck Firefighter of the Year.  After taking a few years off from fire service, Dan joined the Cheshire Fire Department where he has served as Lieutenant and Assistant Chief and currently holds the position of Deputy Chief and President of the organization.  He is active with the department serving in various roles.  Through the department, Dan has been involved with numerous fundraisers for Cheshire Human Services; the CT Chapter of MDA and was recognized as the Department's Firefighter of the Year in 2013 and received the Department's Grove Award that same year.  Dan is also a member of the Waterbury Area Fire Chiefs where he served as Vice-President and President. 


He is a member of the Naugatuck B.P.O.E. 967 Lodge of Elks and a past Board Member of the Naugatuck Chapter of the American Red Cross. Dan has coached Little League Baseball at both Peter J. Foley and Union City Little Leagues in Naugatuck. He is a member of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association where he has served as Treasurer and President. He was a former member of the Visiting Advisory Board for the New England Institute of Mortuary Science at Mount Ida College in Dedham, MA.  Currently, Dan serves on the Board of Directors for the National Funeral Directors Association.


In the past, Dan has been involved with the Greater Waterbury Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society. Dan has co-chaired the registration for the relay and is the past chairman of corporate sponsorship for the event.  He is a former member of the Cheshire Exchange Club; a former Board Member for the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce as well as a communicant of St. Bridget Church in Cheshire.


Dan was named Executive Vice President of the company in July 2008 and President in May 2014. He is recognized as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner through the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.


Dan and his wife Danielle, have two children Ryan and Emma. They currently reside in the town of Cheshire.

John W. Ford

John W. Ford

Chairman of the Board

Mr. Ford was born in Waterbury, on January 3, 1946, a son of the late William T. and Olive E. (Warner) Ford and was educated in local schools and was a graduate of Naugatuck High School, Class of 1964. He attended college in Boston and graduated from the New England Institute of Funeral Service in Boston, Class of 1968. Following graduation, He began his apprenticeship at the C. H. Green Funeral Home where he had worked part-time since he was 16 years old. He became associated with Alderson Funeral Homes, Inc. in May of 1970 where he completed his apprenticeship. In October of that same year, he was named Manager of the Naugatuck Home and became a partner in 1983. In 1987 John and his two partners, Jay Anthony and John J. Martin, III (1953-2001), purchased the business from Mr. Alderson. Mr. Martin passed away in 2001 and Mr. Ford became the sole owner of the Funeral Homes in 2007. He retired from full-time service in 2014 and sold the business to his son Daniel.  Mr. Ford was named Chairman of the Board of Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes, at that time.


 

He is a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, serves as a Minister of the Eucharist and an usher, and a former member of the Parish Council, and had served on the Buildings and Property Committee. He was a member and former Chairman of the Men’s Retreat League, He formerly had served as an instructor in the R.C.I.A. program, and a member of the Board of Directors and Vice-Chairman of the St. Francis School Foundation. He also serves as a Regional Vice-President of the Holy Family Passionist Retreat League of West Hartford, responsible for greater Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley.


He was a member and Past-President of the former Kiwanis Club of Naugatuck, a former member and Past-President of the Naugatuck Volunteer Fire Dept., a founding former member and Past-President of the Naugatuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps., a former member and Past- Captain of the Naugatuck Fire-Police, a member and three-term Chairman of the Naugatuck Board of Fire Commissioners. He had previously served 11 terms as Chairman of the Public Works- Street Commission. He had been an active volunteer for over 45 years with the former Naugatuck Chapter of the American Red Cross, having served several terms as Chairman of the Board of Directors and was Chairman of Disaster Services for 17 years and a former member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls, Inc., and has previously served on the Campaign Cabinet as Chairman of the Professional Division, served as Vice-Chairman of the 2005 Campaign, and was the 2006 Campaign Chairman. He is presently a member of the Salem Society of the United Way.


 Mr. Ford is a member and past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce, having served as Treasurer and Vice-Chairman.  He was a former 15-year member of the Naugatuck Economic Development Commission, having served as Chairman and Secretary.  He was also a member of the Beacon Valley Grange # 103, a Life member of the Naugatuck Historical Society, and a 51year Life member of the Naugatuck Lodge of Elks, # 967, formerly serving as a Trustee. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Naugatuck, the Naugatuck Rotary Club, formerly serving as President. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees and Sexton of the Riverside Cemetery Assoc. of Waterbury, and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Cheshire Hillside Cemetery Association. He is a member of the Hundred Club of Conn.


 He was also a member of the former Advisory Board of the Naugatuck Adult Education Program, and a former member and Vice-Chairman of the Naugatuck Youth Services Advisory Board. Mr. Ford is a former Treasurer of the Ecumenical Conference of Churches of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls and has been active in many of their programs. He is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Waterbury Division of the Conn. Mental Health Assoc. and a former volunteer with the Peter J. Foley Little League, having served as Umpire-in-Chief of the Minor Leagues for several years. Having been active in various school organizations, he was a Past Co-President of the Salem School, Parent School Association and along with his wife was a founding Co-President of the Hillside Middle School Parent-Student-Teacher Group, C.A.R.E. (Concerned Adults Relate to Education). He was a Past Co-President of the Parent-Teacher-Student Group at Naugatuck High School and a Past President of the Naugatuck Parent School Council. He also served as a member of the Naugatuck School-To-Career Partnership Action Team/Advisory Board.


 Ford was active in many Masonic organizations; with memberships in Shepherd-Salem Lodge # 78, A.F. & A.M.; the Naugatuck Fellowcraft Assoc. both of Naugatuck; The Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Waterbury: Doric Lodge of Perfection; Ionic Council- Princes of Jerusalem and Corinthian Chapter- Rose Croix; The York Rite Bodies: Cyrus Chapter # 45, Royal Arch Masons of Torrington; Buel Council # 20, Royal & Select Masters of Litchfield and New Haven Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar, and the Triangle Guard Assoc. both of New Haven and The Lafayette Consistory, 32 Degree, Valley of Bridgeport;  He was also a member of The Zindah Grotto of Waterbury; The Garibaldi Masonic Club of Conn.; The Police Square Club of Conn.; The Pyramid  Shriners, of Milford; the Naugatuck Shrine Club; The Kaaban’s Shrine Club of Plymouth; the Dimaryp Court # 66, Royal Order of Jesters; the Nutmeg Billiken Club and a life member of the Kachina Klub of Scottsdale, Ariz.


 Mr. Ford was a former member of the Democratic Town Committee and is a Justice of the Peace for the Borough of Naugatuck as well as a Sub-Registrar of Vital Statistics in the communities of Naugatuck, Waterbury, Middlebury, and Cheshire. He was also a member of the National Sheriff’s Assoc. and the New Haven County Sheriff’s Assoc.


 In 1971, the Naugatuck Jaycees honored Mr. Ford by presenting him with their “Distinguished Service Award” and in 1981 was honored by the Beacon Valley Grange as the recipient of their “Citizen of the Year Award”. In 1992 the Naugatuck Rotary Club named him a Paul Harris Fellow.  In 1993 the Naugatuck High School Alumni Assoc. named him “Alumni of the Year”. In 1994 the Naugatuck Chapter of the American Red Cross presented him with the distinguished Clara Barton Award, for “Meritorious Volunteer Leadership”. In 1995, the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce presented him with the “Lewis A. Dibble Award” and in 1996, John and his wife were presented with the “Raymond K. Foley Memorial Award”, by the Parent School Council.


 In December of 1988, he and his wife Maureen organized the first annual Christmas Day Dinner for residents of the area. They continued to Co-Chair the event each year, expanding the dinner to include elderly shut-ins and local police and firefighters that could not spend the holiday with their families. They stepped down as Co-Chairpersons in 1995 but continued to volunteer at the dinner for several years.


 Professionally, Mr. Ford was a member of the National Foundation for Mortuary Care and was a member and Past-President of the Waterbury Area Funeral Director’s Assoc. and a former Clinical Instructor in Embalming for the New England Institute of Funeral Service at Mt. Ida College. In 1999, Mr. Ford was certified as a Bereavement Facilitator, by the American Academy of Bereavement, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In April of 2002, following a two-year accreditation process, he earned the certification of CFSP (Certified Funeral Service Practitioner) as a member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. In October of 2006 he earned the certification of CPC (Certified Pre-need Counselor) by the National Funeral Directors Assoc. He was also certified as a Funeral Celebrant by the Insight Institute of Oklahoma, providing personalized funeral ceremonies for individuals who wished to have an alternative to a religious funeral service He is also a member of the Conn. Funeral Director’s Association and in 1983 was certified through FEMA/NFDA as a Certified Disaster Coordinator for Conn. and a member of the Region 1 DMORT Team of the National Disaster Medical System.

 

In 1999 he was deployed to Rhode Island with the Region I DMORT Team to assist with the EgyptAir Flight 990 crash where over 220 passengers and crew lost their lives.  During this 14-day deployment, he was responsible for the set-up of the Mobile Morgue and operation of the Family Service Center, where families of the victims were interviewed and basic statistical information and DNA specimens were obtained to assist in the identification of the victims.


 

On Sept. 12, 2002, he was deployed along with DMORT Region I and Regions II and IV to assist with the World Trade Center Disaster.  During this 14-day deployment, he assisted at the Family Service Center at the 126th Street Armory and at Pier 94 for 5 days and was then assigned as Deputy Chief Property Clerk at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, coordinating the receiving of remains and responsible for personal property of the victims from Ground Zero. On Oct 28, 2005, he was deployed to St. Gabriel, La to assist at the Family Service Center with victim families of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

 

He was pre-deceased by his wife Maureen E. (Hughes) Ford in 2018 after 47 years of marriage. He has one son Daniel J. Ford, President of the firm, and his wife, Danielle of Cheshire; one daughter, Joanna M. Ford-Sigetti of Naugatuck, and 3 grandchildren, Ryan Nicholas Ford, Emma Ann Ford, and Kyle Jay Sigetti.

Missy Melin-Miles

Missy Melin-Miles

Licensed Funeral Director

Missy is a graduate of Briarwood College in Southington and has been a licensed Funeral Director in Connecticut since 2000. She has held a license in Arizona and has also worked in the funeral industry in Japan and Colorado. Missy grew up in West Haven and is an alumna of Lauralton Hall in Milford, Class of 1997. She resides in Wolcott with her son, William. She currently serves as Vice President of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association.

Paul G. Belval

Paul G. Belval

Licensed Funeral Director

Paul was born in Waterbury, CT a son of Paul C. Belval and the late Margaret (Collins) Belval. He is a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury and Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts graduating with a degree in Funeral Service Management. Paul began his career in funeral service in 1988 with the Alderson, Slater, and Mulville Funeral Homes. In 2011 he accepted a position with Carriage Services at the Bailey Funeral Home in Plainville where he later became the Managing Partner. In September of 2021, Paul was happy to accept a position with the Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes. He is recognized as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner through the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Paul is a past member of the Lions Club of Plainville as well as a former board member of the Plainville Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys golf, being outdoors, and traveling. Paul currently lives in Middletown and has two sons, Matthew and Ryan.  

John M. Roosa

John M. Roosa

Licensed Funeral Director

John is a 1973 graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury and received his mortuary science degree from the American Academy - McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, New York. He has been a licensed Funeral Director in Connecticut since 1985. John and his wife Beth, have two children, Drew and Paige. They currently reside in the town of Cheshire.

 Rachel M. Cimbak

Rachel M. Cimbak

Licensed Funeral Director

Rachel was homeschooled through high school and after graduating from SUNY Orange in Middletown, NY, she completed her studies at American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in NYC, class of December 2014. She began her career in January 2015 as an apprentice at the Cody-White Funeral Home in Milford, CT where she was employed for a total of 7 years. Rachel is excited to be a part of the Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes, Inc. family beginning in March 2022. She and her husband, Brian, reside in Shelton, CT with their daughters, Amelia and Adeline.

Nicole Paquette, CFSP, CPC

Nicole Paquette, CFSP, CPC

Licensed Funeral Director, Pre-Arrangement Specialist

Nicole Paquette, CFSP, CPC, specializes in assisting families plan ahead. She was born the youngest of nine children to parents who were both registered nurses.  She graduated from the Saint Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, RI, and attended Rhode Island College before deciding to become a funeral director. In 1993, she graduated magna cum laude from the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences at Mt. Ida College, Newton, MA.  Nicole has been a licensed funeral director/embalmer since 1995 in both Connecticut and Rhode Island.


Nicole is nationally recognized as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) and a Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC). She is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and a Past President of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, where she also serves on several committees including as the Legislative Committee Co-Chair. Nicole is a member of the Katharine Gaylord Chapter - Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Bristol.


Nicole lives in Bristol with her two children, Salem and Crichton. She enjoys visiting her extended family, traveling, and touring historical sites that are steeped in American Civil War-era and Revolutionary War-era history.  She is also pleased to pass her time reading, writing, cooking, baking, and pulling weeds from her raised garden beds during the summer months.

Linda Bordonaro

Linda Bordonaro

Office Manager

A resident of Naugatuck, CT, Linda was born and raised in Bridgeport, CT then moved to Stratford, CT in 1976, where she graduated from Stratford High School in 1978.  She later attended Brigham Young University in Utah from 1978-1980.  In 2005 Alderson Funeral Home hired Linda as their bookkeeper.  She is currently the office manager and bookkeeper.  Linda enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her family.  She is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #265 in Waterbury.

Nikki Hernandez

Nikki Hernandez

Administrative Assistant

Nicole Hernandez was born the youngest of 4 Children in Bridgeport, CT. She attended Naugatuck High School and is currently enrolled in school for Criminal Justices. Nikki has been an Administrative Assistant for 15 years. She also owns her own business, Cleaning Fairies LLC. Nikki is a mother of 4 and a grandmother of 1. She loves spending her free time with her sons and grandson. Nikki enjoys cooking, gardening, bike riding, and traveling with her family. 

Thomas Quattro

Thomas Quattro

Bookeeper


James E. Desmarais

James E. Desmarais

Funeral Assistant


Michael J. Desmarais

Michael J. Desmarais

Funeral Assistant


Michael ChatfieldMichael Chatfield

Michael Chatfield

Funeral Assistant


Ronald F. Cormier

Ronald F. Cormier

Funeral Assistant


Raymond L. Gulick, III

Raymond L. Gulick, III

Funeral Assistant


James J. Lee, Jr.

James J. Lee, Jr.

Funeral Assistant


Steven L. Malagutti

Steven L. Malagutti

Funeral Assistant


Patsy J. Rubbo

Patsy J. Rubbo

Funeral Assistant


Gary Hughes

Gary Hughes

Funeral Assistant


Daniel Collins

Daniel Collins

Funeral Assistant


Paul Grenier

Paul Grenier

Funeral Assistant


Annie Grace

Annie Grace

Grief Therapy Dog

On Sunday, October 13, 2019, Annie Grace Ford was born.  After spending some time with her mother and some training, she will make her big move to Connecticut in early 2020.

 John W. Ford, CFSP, CFC

John W. Ford, CFSP, CFC

Funeral Celebrant

John W. Ford was trained by Doug Manning and Glenda Stansbury of In-Sight Institute, who pioneered funeral celebrant training in the United States and Canada. As a Certified Funeral Celebrant, John has been trained in the value of the funeral, how to conduct family visits, understanding the importance of personalization of the funeral, elements of funeral service planning, understanding the basic outlines of various types of funeral services as well as sharing all the options available while adhering to The Code of Funeral Celebrant Practices and Ethics. John has the ability to be flexible and creative in helping families incorporate important components in personalizing the funeral. He understands the grief process and respects that everyone grieves differently. He works with the family to ensure that the funeral service, a celebration of life, or a memorial is personalized to reflect the personality and lifestyle of the deceased. He is a graduate of the New England Institute of Funeral Service in Boston, Mass., and has been a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer in the State of Conn., for over 40 years. He is a Certified Bereavement Coordinator by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet of the Carondolet Institute. John brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding combined with compassion and empathy to his calling as a Certified Celebrant.


What Does a Certified Celebrant Offer the Family?


A Celebrant offers an alternative to a service provided by a clergyperson for those families who are not affiliated with a church or who do not wish to have a traditional funeral service.

A Celebrant has been specifically trained to design a service that is completely personal, incorporating those unique stories, songs, and experiences that defined the loved one.

A Celebrant will meet and chat with family members to share memories, anecdotes, and special moments in the loved one’s life. This will also help the Celebrant to learn about the life of the loved one, how they lived their life, and the type of person they were. The essence of the service will be based upon the remembrances of the family.

A Celebrant will offer suggestions on making the service personal and meaningful such as having a family member or special friend present a tribute or eulogy. Additional suggestions may include the presentation of a memorial DVD video tribute.

A Celebrant has a library of resources available for readings, music, ceremonies, and personal touches. The Celebrant will consult with the family to help design a service that best reflects and memorialized the life of their loved one.

A Celebrant is bound by a Code of Ethics for complete confidentiality in all dealings with the family.

Why Use a Certified Celebrant?


The training for Celebrants established by In-Sight Institute seeks to provide the most comprehensive and sensitive training available for people wishing to develop this as a profession or to add to their current job description. It is important that a family knows that they are being served by someone who understands the process and is prepared to offer the very best and most meaningful funeral possible.

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