Our Caring Staff

Matthew Fiorillo, the owner of the Ballard-Durand Funeral Group, is a licensed funeral director in New York State and Connecticut. He has earned the Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, Inc. This is noted by the CFSP acronym. Matt has committed to a program of lifelong learning to serve you and families in your community with the level of excellence expected of a CFSP. He is a lifetime member of the White Plains Historical Society, a member of the Tamarack Country Club, and is honored to currently be a Board Member for Hospice of Westchester, Selected Independent Funeral Homes, White Plains Rural Cemetery, and is the current President for Preferred Funeral Directors International.  Matt is a graduate of Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL, and is originally from West Nyack, NY. He is a long-time resident of Westchester County, where he currently resides.

Joseph J. Schuka is a licensed funeral director for Ballard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services. He has worked in funeral service for the past 20 years and has been a licensed funeral director for 17 years. Formerly a native of Peekskill, New York, where he was well-established in the community and his Church. 

 Joe currently manages our Dutchess County location, Libby Funeral & Cremation Services (Libby Funeral Home) in Beacon, New York. He is an active communicant of St. Joachim-St. John the Evangelist Church in Beacon; where he thoroughly enjoys assisting when needed as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, and whatever else is needed by the parish Priests and Deacons. 

 Joe has a deep love for community and giving back of himself. He belongs to various local civic and fraternal organizations, such as the following: a 20-year member of the Knights of Columbus, Peekskill Council 462 where he served as Grand Knight from 2013-2016; a 15-year member of the Peekskill Lions Club where he has served as President and VP during various years; a 17-year member of the Peekskill Elks Lodge 744, and is active with the Beacon Lodge 1493; for the past 7-years he has been a member and current President of The Exchange Club of Dutchess County. 

 Very dear to his heart is also Our Veterans, he has a great sense of Patriotism which was instilled in him at an early age by his paternal grandmother, Ruth Schuka. He can be seen assisting at local VFW and veteran activities and commemorations. He also supports the local boy and girl Scouts of America Troop 41 of Beacon, NY, and appreciates when they help out at the funeral home, especially when called for people who passed and they have no-family. He has also been very active with The Center for Prevention of Child Abuse in Poughkeepsie, New York; he was recognized as a Champion against Child Abuse in 2022. 

 Joe truly enjoys his “Life’s Calling” as a funeral director, assisting families at that most difficult time in their lives, easing the moments, and providing a lasting tribute for generations to remember that loved one forever.

 When he is not so engaged in with the community, church and funeral home; you can see him strolling Beacon’s Main Street, relaxing at Beacon’s Waterfront and if the weather is right he enjoys a nice hike up Mount Beacon. He also enjoys his family time too, with his parents, brothers, and particularly spoiling his two nieces Savannah & Audrey.

Donald is a native of the Village of Wappingers Falls, and where he still resides with his family. He attended Wappinger Central Schools, and graduated from Roy C. Ketcham High School, class of 2021.

 Donald joined our team in October 2023, he wanted to find a profession that he could be more of service to a community, and helpful to people in time of need. Soon after he started, he realized that funeral service is indeed “his calling”. With that he decided to enrolled in a mortuary science program with FINE Mortuary College in Massachusetts, and he thoroughly enjoys his studies.

 Don cherishes his time spent with his family & friends; it shows when he works, that family is very important.  He finds joy in various outdoors activities, particularly fishing, and an occasional (indoor) video gaming.

 In addition to his family and outdoors, he loves his animals; dogs, fish, and of course his rabbit ‘Benjamin’.

 With the personal care and commitment that he exhibits, we truly appreciate having him part of our team, and family.

Joseph Turcy is a Beacon native, one of five children. Growing up in Beacon, he attended St. John’s School on Willow Street, and then attended Beacon High School. Joe has been happily married to his wife Beverly (Haight) Turcy, for 54-years; together they have one son, Joseph Jr. and one daughter, Patricia Rose. He also has 6 grandchildren & 3 great-grandchildren of whom he enjoys their company dearly. Joe worked as a bus driver for 32-years, he retired from the Wappinger Central School District. After retiring, he came to Libby Funeral Home in 2005, working for the late-owner Mr. Harrison S. Libby. Because of his long-standing commitment to the community, he felt it a privilege and honor, to help grieving families during their times of greatest need. Today you can catch Joe doing what he loves doing, driving –the hearse or lead the funeral car; or just being a friendly face greeting those entering the doors at Libby Funeral Home. Joe is more than just a staff member at Libby Funeral Home, HE IS FAMILY.

Peter Miller is a Beacon native, one of 8 children. Grew up his entire life in Beacon, he went all through the Beacon City Schools, graduated from Beacon High School with the Class of 1967. Pete has been happily married to his lovely wife Sharon (Lyons) Miller, for 39-years; together they raised 3 children: Christina, Dana and John. Pete worked for the City of Beacon Police Department for 20-years until retiring in 1993.

He is a member if the Retired Police Association of Beacon. Pete also worked as a bus driver for many years. Pete enjoys his family time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Pete has a long history working in funeral service.

Louis Mazzacone or as he's known, Lou, is a lifelong Beacon and Cold Spring resident, and one of six children. Growing up in Beacon and living shortly in Cold Spring, he attended Beacon High School. He proudly enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era; serving from 1970-1972, until he was honorably discharged. Lou has been happily married to his wife, Darlene Mazzacone, for 49 years; together they have two sons, Jeremy and Jason. He also has 4 grandchildren whom he cherishes. Lou worked as a correction officer for 25 years in both the Green Haven and Downstate Correctional Facilities, until his retirement.

Upon retirement he was able to get more involved with the community, he is a charter member of the Sons of Italy St. Francis Assisi Lodge in Beacon where he also served on the state and district levels and is well-known throughout. He also was able to pick up on his love for woodworking in retirement and also perfect his golf. If not at Libby Funeral Home, you can always catch him working his primary at the Fishkill Golf Course. Because of his long standing commitment to the community, he finds it a privilege and honor, to assist families during their times of greatest need. Today you can catch Lou doing what he loves; helping his fellow neighbor in need and being a friendly familiar face greeting you as you are entering the doors at Libby Funeral Home. Lou is more than just a staff member at Libby Funeral Home, he is family.

Mark Press is a New York licensed funeral director and embalmer for the Ballard Durand Funeral Group. Mark graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services in New York, N.Y. and has been in the profession since 2014. Mark is originally from Orange County, N.Y. and after obtaining his license he moved to Florida to be closer to his family. After 2 years he decided to move back home and now resides in Westchester County. Mark has always enjoyed helping others and considers serving each and every family in their greatest time of need a tremendous honor and privilege.

Melissa Gudiño is the Managing Funeral Director and Embalmer for the Ballard-Durand Funeral Group. Melissa Graduated and received her degree in mortuary science at Cypress College in 2013. After graduating she took some time to travel and have new experiences and moved from Southern California, where she was born and raised, to New Orleans. She moved back to California and completed her apprenticeship for licensure in 2017 and currently holds an embalming license and Funeral Directors license in the state of California. She resides in Manhattan and is licensed in New York State as a Funeral Director & Embalmer.  Melissa brings her expertise and knowledge of cremation to our company.  She is a Licensed and Certified Crematory Operator and has years of experience performing cremations.

Roy Watkins was born and raised in London, England, where he received a degree in Electronic Engineering. He has lived in the Westchester/Putnam area since moving to the United States in 1972. He started working on a part time basis with the funeral industry in 1977 leading to a full time position with Ballard-Durand in 2006. Families appreciate Roy’s courtesy and professionalism during calling hours and services.

Rev. Elizabeth Friend-Ennis was ordained through One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in 2016. She has several years of experience in hospice and chaplaincy and serves as a Dean for 1st year students at One Spirit.

Ms. Assumma is a highly skilled clinical social worker. Her experience in bereavement and grief counseling started in 1980s as a coordinator facilitating groups and providing individual and family therapy to address transition and loss. She has over 20 years’ experience in Hospice and Palliative care and holds certificates in Grief; Trauma, Children & Loss, Affirmative Psychology, and Mindfulness, and is a certified Anxiety Treatment Professional and Oncology Social Worker. Her private practice focuses on Life Transitions and Challenges. She promotes understanding, acceptance, and healing in the midst of pain and loss and believes in the strength, and resilience of the individual to cope and honor loved ones.

Kaysie Mandel is a New York State licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for the Ballard-Durand Funeral Group. In 2019, Kaysie graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services in New York, N.Y., and has been working in the profession since. Kaysie was born in White Plains, N.Y. and now resides in lower Westchester County with her family. She knew from a young age that this was the profession she was meant to be in. Kaysie takes great pride in taking care of the families she serves and helping them to celebrate the life of their loved ones. 

Danielle Diamond is a proud native of the Hudson Valley, Orange County area; and still resides in the Town of Newburgh, NY. She is a graduate of the Newburgh Free Academy High School, where she cultivated a strong foundation for knowledge and compassion. 

 Danielle joined our team after years of heartfelt admiration for the funeral service industry. Since her adolescence, Danielle has had a deep-rooted passion for helping others. She aspires to expand upon her passion and expertise, delving into the realm of mortuary science. Her goal is to enhance her skills and make a lasting impact in providing compassionate and exceptional service to families during their most challenging times.

 Danielle cherishes her time spent with her family. She finds solace and joy in the great outdoors, especially when engaged in gardening activities alongside her children, two beloved dogs, and her flock of chickens. This connection with nature and nurturing has seamlessly translated into her professional pursuits. With her genuine care and commitment to excellence, she seeks to bring solace and support to those who rely on her during the most sensitive moments of their lives

In 2015, Lulu the golden Doodle became Westchester's first therapy dog to serve families in a funeral home. Like those used in hospitals and nursing homes, Lulu acted as a source of comfort and love in times of emotional distress. Families who requested her presence could soothe their grief by stroking her soft fur or merely enjoying her supportive companionship. A fixture at the funeral home, Lulu was well-known and well-loved by everyone in the Westchester community. Her sweet, outgoing nature touched the lives of all she came into contact with and contributed a calming presence to the atmosphere of the funeral home. Though her passing in March of 2021 was unexpected, Lulu leaves behind a lasting legacy of caring for and supporting others during their time of grief. Her memory has set the standard for all future therapy dogs at Ballard-Durand. Lulu's presence will be greatly missed by both Ballard-Durand staff and the Westchester community, but the memory of her dedicated life of service will continue to live on.