About Us
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home was originally founded in 1860 by Jefferson Gilbert. He offered many additional services, such as coffin making, paper hanging, picture-framing and manufacturing of window shades. Gilbert sold the business in 1887 to Jonathan L. Moore, whose son John B. Moore later joined the firm. In 1898, Lewis H. Wilkinson joined the Moores, taking ownership in 1905. He became a prominent citizen of the city, being elected mayor in 1921-1922. Wilkinson moved the Moore Funeral Home across town in 1910. Then, again in 1921, he moved once again to another section of town. At the same time, he changed the name of the funeral home to Wilkinson's Funeral Home.
Dana S. "Ace" Beane joined the firm on September 15, 1926 after service in the Army during World War l. He took over ownership in 1947, together with his sons Donald and Roger in June, 1955 upon their return from World War II service. They then moved the business to its current location at 164 Pleasant Street in the mansion known as the Mayo home. Roger Beane worked for the funeral home until his retirement in 1982. Donald Beane was treasurer until his retirement in 1993.
Russell J. Beane, son of Donald Beane, joined the funeral home in 1974. He graduated from Laconia High School in 1967 and Keene State College in 1971. He also attended New England Institute and graduated in 1974. Two of his three sons have continued the tradition and are working full-time for the firm. Russell retired from the funeral home in 2019.
Craig S. Beane, the oldest son of Russell Beane, graduated from Canton College in Canton, New York in 1992 with an Associate Degree in mortuary science. He has worked full-time for the funeral home since 1993. He is the fourth generation in the Beane family to serve as president of the funeral home.
Curtis T. Beane, the youngest son of Russell Beane, oversees the daily operations at the Winnipesaukee River Crematorium, which was opened by the Beane family in 1998.
Cody J. Beane, son of Craig Beane, is the fifth generation Beane employed at the funeral home.
The 100-year-old Simoneau-Paquette Memorial Home in Laconia was purchased by the Beane Family in 2009. Four years later, Wilkinson-Beane began administering the funeral wishes from families that had arrangements at Dewhirst Funeral Home in Laconia, which closed.
603Cremations.com was established in 2020 to provide 603 families with affordable cremation options with online arrangements. This allows families to complete the entire process of the cremation online. We are available to take care of families throughout the state of New Hampshire. Owning a private crematory means that your loved one never leaves our care. You can be assured that they are well taken care of during each step of the cremation process.
Fred and Myriel Emmons founded Emmons Funeral Home in Bristol, NH in 1952. Forty one years later, their granddaughter, Cynthia M. Rogers became the managing owner and Funeral Director servicing the greater Bristol area. Late in December 2023, Wilkinson-Beane purchased Emmons Funeral Home. Cindy is now on staff at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services / Emmons Funeral Home.
Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home, 603Cremations.com and Emmons Funeral Home have earned a reputation for being responsive, personal and caring, and economical. Families continue to trust us with their loved ones for over 164 years.
With our commitment to remain an independent, family owned and operated funeral home, you can be assured that we will continue to serve you for years to come.
Craig S. Beane – Funeral Director & Embalmer/Owner
Craig is a fourth-generation funeral director. He became the owner of Wilkinson Beane-Simoneau-Paquette in November 2019. He is the oldest son of Russell Beane and a lifelong resident of the Lakes Region. Craig graduated from Laconia High School in 1990, and then continued his education at Canton College in Canton, New York, where he received his Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science in 1992. After serving his apprenticeship, he became a licensed Funeral Director and began working full-time for the family firm in 1993. Craig also has a Crematory Operators License. He is a member, past president, and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Laconia Rotary Club. Craig has one son, Cody, a labradoodle Timber, and two goldendoodles, Governor and Breezy.
Jordan L. Nelson – Funeral Director & Embalmer
Jordie moved to New Hampshire from Las Vegas, NV, in 2014. She started her journey in the funeral industry in 2016, when she enrolled into FINE Mortuary College, in Norwood, MA. She graduated from FINE Mortuary College in 2019. She became a Licensed Funeral Directory in 2021. In her free-time she enjoys painting, wood burning, finding new places to eat, her cats Beast and Morticia, and spending time with family. Jordie resides in Laconia with her fiancé.
Curtis T. Beane – Crematory Managing Operator
Curtis is the youngest son of Russell Beane and a fourth-generation family member in funeral service. Curtis graduated from Laconia High School in 1995 and attended Mt. Ida College in Newton, MA, where he graduated from in 1998. Curtis received his Crematory Operators License, and since 1998, oversees daily operations at Winnipesaukee River Crematorium. Curtis and his wife, Jessica Paradise Beane, Manager of the Gilford branch of the Bank of New Hampshire, and their two daughters, Addison and Delaney, reside in Gilford.
Cody J. Beane – Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalming
Cody is the son of Craig Beane, is a fifth generation Beane to work for Wilkinson Beane. Cody is a graduate of Bishop Brady High School in Concord and received his Associate Degree in General Education from NHTI in 2020. Through the National Funeral Directors Association, he received his Crematory Operators License in 2020. Cody is currently attending FINE Mortuary College in Norwood, MA. He resides in Laconia with his girlfriend Madison Wunsch, and their dog Millie. He enjoys snowboarding in the winter and the outdoors in the summer.
Kathryn Wright - Apprentice Funeral Director and Embalming
Kathryn is a Lakes Region native who started her journey in the funeral industry in 2022. She studied Visual Arts at NHTI-Concord’s Community College and is furthering her education in Mortuary Science at Cape Cod Community College. In her free time, she enjoys going out on Jeep trails in her Wrangler, kayaking and fishing. Kathryn resides in Belmont with her two dogs, Smokey, a Shetland Sheppard, and Odin, an Australian Sheppard.
Ted Tunnicliffe - Licensed Funeral Director, State of Massachusetts
Ted relocated here from Massachusetts and was the former owner of MacRae-Tunnicliffe Funeral Home in Concord, MA. Ted and his wife Linda reside in Laconia.
Mary Legassie, Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
David Weller, Funeral Care Assistant
Jamin Donovan, Funeral Care Assistant/Maintenance Director
Ray Legassie, Crematory Operator/Funeral Care Assistant
Cynthia Rogers - Funeral Director
Cynthia (Cindy) attended Green Mountain College studying Business Administration and then completed an Associate's Degree in Funeral Services from The New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Boston MA, graduating in 1988. She obtained her NH Funeral Director's License in 1989. She worked for her grandfather at Emmons Funeral Home Inc in Bristol until 1993 when she became majority owner of the business. She was the sole licensed Funeral Director operating the Emmons Funeral Home until she joined Wilkinson Beane as of January 1, 2024.
Cindy was born and educated in the Bristol community and has strong connections to the community. She joined the Bristol Fire Department in 2006 and has earned her Firefighter, AEMT, and Child Passenger Safety Technician certificates. Cindy recently joined the Loudon Fire Department as she is now a Loudon resident. She is a member of Enterprise Rebekah Lodge and Sawhegenit Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, both located in Bristol.