One of the longest-serving funeral home businesses on P.E.I. is under new ownership.
Kevin Gallant (not the weather guy) of Rustico purchased the Hennessey Cutcliffe Charlottetown Funeral Home on Longworth Avenue on Oct. 3 from Sonny Coffin, who chose to retire.
Once three separate funeral homes, Hennessey Cutcliffe Charlottetown Funeral Home runs as a single business now to all faiths and beliefs.
Hennessey's was established in 1886, Cutcliffe came along in 1921 and Charlottetown opened in 1952.
Gallant has been with Hennessey Cutcliffe Charlottetown since 1990, serving as funeral director before purchasing the business last week. He has a staff of four and says his wife, Mary Ellen, is a big help, too.
"I've been here for 22 years,'' Gallant said. "I have been in the funeral home business for 25 years. It's not a case where I wanted to be a funeral home director. It was a case where the business chose me.''
Gallant worked as an ambulance attendant in Summerside before making the jump into the funeral home business. At one time, the ambulance service on P.E.I. was part of the funeral home business.
"I started off at Moase's (funeral home) in Summerside and I did a lot of my apprenticeship there and moved down (to Hennessey Cutcliffe Charlottetown) in 1990.''
Gallant said he sees his role as a guide, dealing with people on a daily basis who are going through the loss of a loved one.
"People come in here and they're probably going through one of the most difficult times of their lives. They really don't know where to turn and where to start and that's what we're here for, to take people through this, what I would call, journey; to guide them in the right direction.''
Gallant said it's not a job everyone is cut out for.
"I think this is just something you're meant to do. It's probably not for everyone.''
There are colleges that instruct on things like embalming but courses can't teach people to deal with the complex emotions families come in with.
"We're dealing with people at their worst. We have to walk a fine line between getting involved with people and getting too involved.''
Gallant said he tries not to take work home with him but some wakes/funerals are harder than others. To no one's surprise, ones involving children are the worst, he said.
Regardless of how hard a job it can be, Gallant says he knows the funeral home staff bring comfort to the grieving.
"It can be very rewarding to know that you've helped people. I really believe we make a difference. If not, I wouldn't be here.''
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