Our Staff

Our Alderson, Slater and Mulville Funeral Homes have been defined by pursuit of excellence and attention to detail since 1923. We are dedicated professionals who believe in celebrating the life of your loved one. We are people that understand what it is like to experience the death of someone who shared their life with us. We are proud to be independently owned and operated by...

Chairman of the Board
Licensed Staff
Non-Licensed Staff
Administrative Personnel
Funeral Celebrant

Chairman of the Board

John W. Ford was born in Waterbury, in 1946, and was educated in local schools and was a graduate of Naugatuck High School, Class of 1964. He attended college in Boston, Mass. 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 were he had worked part time since he was 16 years old. He became associated with the 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.

Mr. Ford is a member of the National Funeral Directors Assoc., the Connecticut Funeral Directors Assoc. and in 1983 was certified through FEMA/NFDA as a Certified Disaster Coordinator for Conn. He is 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. He is also a member of the National Foundation for Mortuary Care and a member of the Region 1 DMORT Team of the National Disaster Medical System. He is a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church, where he serves as a Eucharistic Minister, an Usher, and is a member of St. Francis School Foundation and is active in various other committees. He is a former member and Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Naugatuck, a former member and Past-President of several Volunteer Emergency service organizations and a former member and two-term Chairman of the Naugatuck Board of Fire Commissioners. He is presently Chairman of the Naugatuck Street Commission (Public Works Board).

He was an active volunteer for over 40 years with the Naugatuck Chapter of the American Red Cross, having served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of Disaster Services . He is a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls,Inc., and served as Campaign Chairman. He is a former volunteer with the Peter J. Foley Little League.

Mr. Ford is a member and Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce, He is a former 15-year member and past Chairman of the Naugatuck Economic Development Commission . He is also a member of he Beacon Valley Grange, a Life member of the Naugatuck Historical Society, a 42 year member of the Naugatuck Lodge of Elks, # 967, a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians -Naugatuck Arie # 1., and member and Past President of the Naugatuck Rotary Club. 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 Having been active in various school organizations, he is a Past Co-President of several Parent-Teacher organizations.

Ford is 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 is 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, Arz.. Mr. Ford is 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-Registar of Vital Statisticsfor the communities of Naugatuck, Waterbury Middlebury and Cheshire. He is 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 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.

He is married to the former Maureen E. Hughes and they are the parents of two children; Daniel and Joanna and grandfather of Ryan and Emma Ford as well as Kyle Jay Segetti.

Licensed Staff

All of our licensed directors adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field.

Daniel Ford, President/Owner
Email: dan@fordfh.com

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 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 and still remains to be an active member of the Naugatuck Firefighters Local 1219.  He has served as Union Vice-President and as Co-Chairman of the Firefighters “Toys for Kids” annual Christmas toy drive to benefit less fortunate children in the Naugatuck and Beacon Falls areas and was named as the Naugatuck Firefighter of the Year in 2007.  After taking a few years off from fire service, Dan joined the Cheshire Fire Department where he has served as Lieutenant and currently holds the rank of Assistant Chief.  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 serving as the Association's Vice-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 as an Advisory Board Member 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 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 of 2008 and as President in May of 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.

William T. Moriarty, Licensed Funeral Director
Email: bill@fordfh.com

William “Bill” T. Moriarty was born in Waterbury, CT a son of William J. Moriarty and the late Donna Marie Fredsall. He is a 1998 graduate of St. Margaret’s Grammar School and is a 2002 graduate of Holy Cross High School. Bill enrolled at Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts and graduated with a degree in Funeral Service in 2006. He served his internship at The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home where he has been employed since 2000 and has remained on the staff after becoming a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Bill is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elk’s Lodge # 265, and The Waterbury Ancient Order of Hibernians. His hobbies include being a member of the Sandy Beach Fishing Club on Lake Quassapaug in Middlebury and golfing. Bill, his wife Jennifer, and their daughter Julia Marie Moriarty reside in Watertown, CT.

Missy Melin-Miles, Funeral Director

Email: missy@fordfh.com

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 currently resides in Wolcott with her husband, Chris and her son, William. She currently is a Board Member for the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association.

John M. Roosa, Funeral Director

Email: jroosa@fordfh.com 

John Roosa 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.

Nicole Paquette, CFSP, CPC, Funeral Director, Pre-Arrangement Specialist

Email: nicole@fordfh.com

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 and an associate member of the Pawtucket Chapter DAR in Rhode Island.

Nicole lives in Bristol with her two children, Salem and Crichton. She enjoys visiting her extensive family, travelling, 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.

Edward Conway, Funeral Director

Email: econway@aldersonfuneralhomes.com

Edward G. Conway was born in Waterbury, CT, the eldest son of Edward T. and Maureen G. Conway.
Ed was raised in Naugatuck and is a 1981 graduate of Naugatuck High School.  He is a veteran of The United States Air Force, having served six years of active duty with assignments around the world.  Ed was also employed by UTC Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, in Cheshire CT and achieved 24 years of service before the Cheshire plant closing. Always having an interest in funeral service and a desire to serve those in need, Ed attended Briarwood College (now known as Lincoln College of New England) in Southington, CT.  He graduated with a degree in Mortuary Science (Magna cum Laude).  While at Lincoln College, Ed achieved the Dean’s List for honors, membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and was named in the 2010 Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He completed both his Funeral Service Internship and Apprenticeship here at Alderson Funeral Homes Inc.

Ed’s community involvement has included volunteer service to the Waterbury Hospital, Naugatuck (Volunteer) Ambulance, the Civil Air Patrol (Connecticut Wing Headquarters and Waterbury Squadron), Overlook (Waterbury) Little League Baseball, Jimmy Fund Telethons, Church Trustee and Church Treasurer.

He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elk’s Lodge #265 (Waterbury), The American Legion, Corporal. Frank Coyle Post #1 of Waterbury, and the Metacon Gun Club of Simsbury.

Ed’s hobbies include reading, salt water fishing, swimming, target shooting, golf, and spending time with his family.

Ed is a former resident of the Bunker Hill neighborhood of Waterbury and is married to the former Karen Iles who is a Hospice Nurse with VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Middlebury. Ed & Karen have six children, Sarah, Benjamin, Hannah, Emma, Elizabeth and Nathan.

Non-Licensed Staff

Although they are not licensed funeral directors, these staff members are vitally important to the operation of our firm. These individuals make it possible for us to professionally coordinate funerals with the quality of service our community has come to expect from us.

James Desmaris, Funeral Assistant

Michael Desmaris, Funeral Assistant

Ron Cormier, Funeral Assistant

Ady "Babe" Grandmaison, Funeral Assistant

Ray Gulick, Funeral Assistant

Scott Langenheim, Funeral Assistant

David Lapman, Funeral Assistant

James Lee, Funeral Assistant

Doug MacKenzie, Funeral Assistant

Steve Malagutti, Funeral Assistant

Neil Mascola, Funeral Assistant

Dominic "Mimmo" Proto, Funeral Assistant

Pat Rubbo, Funeral Assistant

Timothy "Timmy" Wysocvanski, Funeral Assistant

 Don Hodder, Funeral Assistant

Funeral Celebrant

What is a Funeral Celebrant?                    
A funeral celebrant is trained and certified to meet the needs of families during their time of loss by organizing and conducting personalized funeral services. They offer families a service that strongly reflects the individual's life who has died. Funeral celebrants are not clergy, but religious need not be absent from services they perform. They lead family members in a service intended to be a personalization, deep, and loving remembrance and tribute to your loved one.

John W. Ford, CFSP, CFC

Email: john@fordfh.com


John W. Ford was trained by Doug Manning and Glenda Stansbury of In-Sight Institute, who have 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, celebration of life or 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 clergy person 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 of 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 suggestion 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.

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 meaningful funeral possible.

Administrative Personnel

Linda Bordonaro, Office Manager
Email: linda@fordfh.com

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.  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.

Nancy Parent, Administrative Assistant
Email: nancy@fordfh.com

A Prospect resident, Nancy has been with the funeral home since 2012.  Typically she can be found in our Cheshire location but you may see her with her family in Naugatuck.  Over the years Nancy has become familiar with most aspect and forms pertaining to social security and life insurance claims for the families we serve.