Funeral Home Acclaimed Staff

Henry Vigliante of St James, is proud to be a third generation funeral director.  He graduated from American Academy of Funeral service in New York City in 1962. Through the years, he worked in all facets of the funeral business with his family in Brooklyn before he ventured on his own to Smithtown and purchased The Branch Funeral Home in 1974.

For the last 35 years, he has been dedicated to his profession consistently giving each family in need the personal attention they deserve.  He also believes that funerals should be priced to meet all family budgets, not to create a family burden. The funeral home has been a source of comfort to all members of a loved one’s family, young and old because of his leadership in making sure the facility meets the growing needs of the families he serves.  Besides being the father of six and grandfather of two, he has been very active in St. Patrick’s Church as usher and extraordinary minister. He is an active member in the community, a Paul Harris Fellow in the Smithtown Rotary, and a fourth degree Knight of Columbus.  Every year he chairs the Smithtown Tree Lighting. He has created a reputation second to none. Henry feels truly blessed to work with his family and staff.

Loretta Vigliante of St James, is a graduate of St. John’s University.  While raising her six children, she remained active behind the scenes and served in many capacities at St. Philip and James Church., where she is an extraordinary minister.  She unselfishly gave 25 years of dedicated fund raising service to Sts. Philip and James School, from which all her children graduated.  She feels working in the business is a rewarding experience.  She has been the force in setting up the new religious store in the funeral home. She enjoys being with all her family, especially her two grandaughters.

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John Vigliante of St James, is the manager of The Branch Funeral Home and proud to be a fourth generation funeral director. He has great energy and innovative ideas as the business grows into the twenty-first century. He is most sensitive and responsive to the needs and wishes of all the families whom he feels privileged to serve. He strives for unequaled excellence in providing a meaningful and unique service. John is a graduate of Sts. Philip and James School and St. Anthony’s High School. In 1998, he graduated from Nassau County Community College School of Funeral Directing and then received his Bachelor’s Degree from Dowling College School of Business. He is a member of the Smithtown Sunrise Rotary Club, Public Relations Director for the Senior Resource Alliance, Chancellor for the Knights of Columbus, Holy Mother Mary Council, , Usher at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church and Vice President of the Sons of Italy St. Thomas Aquinas Lodge in Hauppauge.

John is also a Committeeman District #2 Town of  Smithtown. In his leisure time, John enjoys boating, fishing, golf and being with family and friends.

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Paul Vigliante of St James, is a funeral director and is happy to join the family business. He also graduated from Sts. Philip and James School and St. Anthony’s High School. After graduating from Hofstra University School of Business, Paul graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City. He is a member of the Smithtown Fire Department and is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Holy Mother Mary Council. His sensitivity and caring ways will benefit families he serves. He enjoys horseback riding, boating, golf and being with family and friends.

Mark Vigliante of St James, is a fourth generation funeral director. He graduated from Sts. Philip and James School and St Anthony’s High School. Upon completion of his studies at Nassau County Community College School of Funeral Directing, he graduated from Dowling College School of Business.  Even though he has his own limousine business, he plays an important role as consultant to the funeral home, He is a member of the Long Island Association of Businessmen and the Nissequogue Country Club. He enjoys being with family and friends, cars and golf.

Sherry Ahlberg is a licensed funeral Director  since 1988, graduating from SUNY Farmingdale. Sherry also has a Bachelor’s degree in science from SUNY Stonybrook and a Master’s degree in education from Dowling College.

Sherry’s expertise in all areas of the funeral profession is invaluable in her service to families in need. Sherry is proud to be associated with the Branch Funeral Home for over twenty years where she serves with competence and compassion.

In her free time, she enjoys horticulture, entomology and being with family and friends.

Patricia Jones is the bereavement specialist. Patricia has an Associate’s degree in Early Child Development, a Bachelor’s degree in Family Development and a Master’s degree in Death and Dying. Working in the field of bereavement for over twenty years, she has had the opportunity to serve the HIV/AIDS population in San Francisco, to work with the dying and bereaved at the Hospice of Appalachia. She has  also counseled the families affected by the events of 9/11. In addition to presenting a wide range of challenging workshops, Patricia also has a private practice where she serves both adult and children who are grieving. Join her on the first Saturday of every month for a bereavement workshop at the funeral home.

Thomas Keane has been working with the Vigliante family since 1976. Through the years, Tom has worked in many capacities and  he is presently a director’s assistant. Tom is always willing to assist the families in need in any way he can. Tom held the position of Past Grand Knight of the Holy Mother Mary Council, Knights of Columbus and also serves as a usher at St. Patrick’s Church in Smithtown. Tom and his lovely wife, Elizabeth, have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He enjoys spending his free time with family, friends and fishing.

Mary B. Phillips of St James is formerly from Middle Village where she owned and operated “Phillips Funeral Home” for 37 years. She retired in 1976 and joined the staff of the Branch Funeral Home in 2001. Mary’s compassion and knowledge of the funeral business makes her a great help to all the families she serves. Mary is the mother of 2 sons and 7 grandchildren.

Maryann and Robert Brosnan are a dynamic duo. They help at the funeral home in many ways. Their unselfish ways in assisting others are invaluable in caring for  families in need. They are married for 40 years and have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.

Lucio Cassara has been with the Branch Funeral Home for 20 years.  Lou has served in many capacities and is presently our professional hearse driver.  He is a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps Mercury Detachment. Lou is married to Marie for 57 years and father of 3 and grandfather of 2.

Debra Soltan
Debby has been a director’s assistant for the past seven years. She is always willing to go above and beyond to comfort the families in need. Debby is very involved in outreach at her home parish of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Ronkonkoma; she is a Columbiette of the St. Regis Council 4651, and a Catholic Daughter at St. Joseph’s RCC Ronkonkoma, NY

Steve Gabrielli is a director’s assistant.

Steve is very active in his home parish of St. Thomas More in Hauppauge. Steve is ever willing to help the families in need. 

Joseph Gallagher of Nesconset, is a director's assistant. Joe is very attentive to the families he serves.

Dan Gallagher is a director's assistant

Estelle Caruso is a director's assistant

Barbara Meringolo recently joined our staff as a director’s assistant. Barbara is an active member in her parish of Sts. Philip and James where she is a Eucharistic Minister and Leader of Song. Her experience in the church makes her well suited to serve the needs of the grieving families, as well as feeling privileged to do so. Barbara is personable and very helpful to everyone.