Ronald J. Stempien
Owner and President
Ron is a licensed funeral director and embalmer with over 55 years of experience and represents the 2nd generation of the Stempien Family to serve the Community. He has served the Meriden community throughout that period as President of the Stempien Funeral Home, the Stempien-Smith Ruzzo Funeral Home, and now the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home. He also brings a background of life insurance experience as an employee of the Aetna Life and Casualty of Hartford, where he was employed for 10 years and earned the designation of FLIMI, Fellow in the Life Insurance Management Institute. Ron also practiced Law for over 25 years in the fields of Wills and Trusts, Estate Planning, and Probate. Ron is an active parishioner of St. Faustina Parish, where he serves as Secretary of the Parish Finance Committee. He also serves as a member of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Board of Directors and recently completed thirty years of service to the Curtis Home Board. Ron is also a member of the Meriden Historical Society and has presented tours of local cemeteries including Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden.
Ron resides in Meriden, CT, with his wife Patricia (Ryan) Stempien; they have 3 children, Suzanne (Michael) O’Rourke, Todd (Renee) Stempien, and Johnathan Stempien, and his best buddy, his grandson Patrick O’Rourke.
Ronald J. Stempien
Owner and President
Ron is a licensed funeral director and embalmer with over 55 years of experience and represents the 2nd generation of the Stempien Family to serve the Community. He has served the Meriden community throughout that period as President of the Stempien Funeral Home, the Stempien-Smith Ruzzo Funeral Home, and now the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home. He also brings a background of life insurance experience as an employee of the Aetna Life and Casualty of Hartford, where he was employed for 10 years and earned the designation of FLIMI, Fellow in the Life Insurance Management Institute. Ron also practiced Law for over 25 years in the fields of Wills and Trusts, Estate Planning, and Probate. Ron is an active parishioner of St. Faustina Parish, where he serves as Secretary of the Parish Finance Committee. He also serves as a member of the Walnut Grove Cemetery Board of Directors and recently completed thirty years of service to the Curtis Home Board. Ron is also a member of the Meriden Historical Society and has presented tours of local cemeteries including Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden.
Ron resides in Meriden, CT, with his wife Patricia (Ryan) Stempien; they have 3 children, Suzanne (Michael) O’Rourke, Todd (Renee) Stempien, and Johnathan Stempien, and his best buddy, his grandson Patrick O’Rourke.
Frank Totino
Funeral Director
Frank was born in Meriden, the son of Rocco and Filomena "Anna" (Ieraci) Totino, and was baptized in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Meriden. Frank is a graduate of Holy Trinity School, Xavier High School, Class of 1997, and Briarwood College, Class of 2003, where Frank received his A.A.S in Mortuary Science. He has been a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for 20 years and has spent his entire professional career serving families in the Wallingford, Meriden and surrounding community. Frank is a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church, and a member of the PNA Local 513 in Wallingford. He is a 1st Degree Knight and member of the Knights of Columbus Pinta Council No.5 in Wallingford, the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association. Frank lives in Wallingford with his wife, Audra Cannizzaro Totino, and their three children: son, Gianluca, and daughters, Angelina and Gabriella. He enjoys spending time with his family, working in his yard, and chasing after his min pins, "Peanut" and "Hulk". As a first-generation Italian American, Frank is proud of his Italian Heritage.
His strong work ethic, attention to detail, and compassionate approach have been his core values, as he strives to provide the best possible service to each family. As a first-generation funeral director, his reputation is one, "Earned, not Inherited". He has been honored to serve many families during their time of loss and understands the utmost trust and dignity that is placed upon the profession.
Frank Totino
Funeral Director
Frank was born in Meriden, the son of Rocco and Filomena "Anna" (Ieraci) Totino, and was baptized in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Meriden. Frank is a graduate of Holy Trinity School, Xavier High School, Class of 1997, and Briarwood College, Class of 2003, where Frank received his A.A.S in Mortuary Science. He has been a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for 20 years and has spent his entire professional career serving families in the Wallingford, Meriden and surrounding community. Frank is a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church, and a member of the PNA Local 513 in Wallingford. He is a 1st Degree Knight and member of the Knights of Columbus Pinta Council No.5 in Wallingford, the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, and the National Funeral Directors Association. Frank lives in Wallingford with his wife, Audra Cannizzaro Totino, and their three children: son, Gianluca, and daughters, Angelina and Gabriella. He enjoys spending time with his family, working in his yard, and chasing after his min pins, "Peanut" and "Hulk". As a first-generation Italian American, Frank is proud of his Italian Heritage.
His strong work ethic, attention to detail, and compassionate approach have been his core values, as he strives to provide the best possible service to each family. As a first-generation funeral director, his reputation is one, "Earned, not Inherited". He has been honored to serve many families during their time of loss and understands the utmost trust and dignity that is placed upon the profession.
June Barbuto
Executive Assistant
June Barbuto, wife of the late Salvatore Barbuto is a lifelong resident of Meriden and parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels, Mount Carmel Campus. She is a graduate of Maloney High School, Class of 1960. June worked at Colonial Bank for 8 years and the Meriden City Hall for 15 years before joining her husband Sal at the Stempien/Smith-Ruzzo Funeral Home in 2007. When June is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
June Barbuto
Executive Assistant
June Barbuto, wife of the late Salvatore Barbuto is a lifelong resident of Meriden and parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels, Mount Carmel Campus. She is a graduate of Maloney High School, Class of 1960. June worked at Colonial Bank for 8 years and the Meriden City Hall for 15 years before joining her husband Sal at the Stempien/Smith-Ruzzo Funeral Home in 2007. When June is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
John Perkowski
Professional Staff
John Perkowski joined the Professional Staff of the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home in August, 2020, after retiring from Tilcon with over 45 years as a heavy equipment operator. He completed his career as a Foreman at the Southington Sand Plant location.
John is a lifelong Wallingford resident, graduating from Mark T. Sheehan High School, class of 1973. John is currently an active member of the PNA Lodge 513 and the Connecticut Street Rod Association.
John and his wife, of 48 years, Sherry, have 3 daughters: Heather, Kelly, and Meg. He currently lives on the east side of Wallingford, with Sherry, Meg and their 2 mini dachshunds: Pearlie and Harriet. They all live in the house that his grandfather built.
John enjoys working on his 1953 Chevy Belair hot rod and fixing things that he’s been told: “can’t be fixed”. Most of all, he looks forward to going on adventures with his grandkids: Summer and JT. In his spare time, he relaxes with his wife at their “quiet place” on the water, in Lisbon, CT.
John Perkowski
Professional Staff
John Perkowski joined the Professional Staff of the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home in August, 2020, after retiring from Tilcon with over 45 years as a heavy equipment operator. He completed his career as a Foreman at the Southington Sand Plant location.
John is a lifelong Wallingford resident, graduating from Mark T. Sheehan High School, class of 1973. John is currently an active member of the PNA Lodge 513 and the Connecticut Street Rod Association.
John and his wife, of 48 years, Sherry, have 3 daughters: Heather, Kelly, and Meg. He currently lives on the east side of Wallingford, with Sherry, Meg and their 2 mini dachshunds: Pearlie and Harriet. They all live in the house that his grandfather built.
John enjoys working on his 1953 Chevy Belair hot rod and fixing things that he’s been told: “can’t be fixed”. Most of all, he looks forward to going on adventures with his grandkids: Summer and JT. In his spare time, he relaxes with his wife at their “quiet place” on the water, in Lisbon, CT.
