From the very beginning, Carson Funeral Homes has responded sensitively to the needs of people, and after over 50 years, the tradition of trust and care continues.
The staff at Carson Funeral Homes live and work within our community as our friends and neighbours, supporting various service clubs, local churches and community organizations. All of our staff are trained in grief counselling, being aware of, and responding to, the individual needs of every family we serve. Every person and every funeral is different. Many of our funerals are still quite traditional. The funeral services which we provide, help bring families comfort in a time of grief. Yet, many people today are asking for more personalized services, including the display of mementos, pictures, live music and a service held in non-traditional settings. Being sensitive also means helping to organize the right funeral within a family's budget.
But our relationships don't end with the funeral service. We follow-up for several months with people who are in need of grief counselling, and will refer them to professional assistance if required. We also help secure any advice that may be needed with estate and legal issues.
The pre-planning of funerals is also becoming more common, and our professional staff is on hand to offer assistance. Pre-planning a funeral can help prevent the stress that family members face when arranging the funeral of a loved one. It can be very hard on a family to suddenly have to make decisions about a funeral, especially if the death was unexpected.
Our staff are here to meet your needs and help you to plan the funeral that best suits your family's traditions and values, whether through a unique and personalized service or a more traditional one. We are here for you.
Carson Funeral Homes Administration
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Bob Carson - President, Licensed Funeral Director
Email: rcarson@carsonfuneralhomes.com
Bob Carson, owner and President of both the Lynn-Carson Funeral Home in Midland and the Doolittle-Carson Funeral Home in Orillia has been a licensed funeral director for over 40 years. As a 17-year old, Bob was drawn to the funeral service profession after his father died due to the kind and caring treatment his family received. He began working full-time for Humphrey Funeral Home in Toronto shortly afterwards, simultaneously working towards his Funeral Director’s License in the evenings. Bob and his wife Ann purchased a small funeral home in Brooklin, Ontario, near Whitby, which they ran for several years, before purchasing the Doolittle Funeral Home-Crawford Chapel in Orillia in 1982, pledging to continue the tradition of service and care in a family-owned environment. In 1995, Bob and Ann purchased the Lynn-Funeral Home in Midland again promising to continue the care and service of a family-owned funeral home. Bob is very active in the community as a member of the Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge and the Shrine Club. He is also past-president of the Orillia & Area Chamber of Commerce and a past member of the board of directors for both the Georgian Bay Lung Association and the Salvation Army. He and his wife Ann, and their 3 sons have called Simcoe County home for over 20 years.
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Ann Carson - Office Administrator
Ann Carson, Office Administrator of the Doolittle-Carson Funeral Home has been involved in the funeral service profession with her husband for over 25 years. An active member of the community, she is involved in the Quota Club, the Women’s Business Association and Breast Cancer Recovery.
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Robert Carson II - Operating Manager, Licensed Funeral Director
Email: rjcarson@carsonfuneralhomes.com
Rob Carson, a licensed funeral director since graduating from Humber College in 2000, has been involved in the family business his entire life. After gaining additional experience working for Ward Funeral Home in Brampton, ON and Tubman Funeral Home in Ottawa, ON, Robert has now stepped up to the responsibility of Operations Manager, and Chapel Manager of the J.H. Lynn Chapel.
Rob is a Senior officer of the Twin Lakes Lodge No 718 of the AF&AM in Orillia, Vise President of the Orillia Shrine Club (member of the Desert Rider Car Unit), Director on the Board of Management of the Ontario Funeral Service Association (A Provincial Association of Independently Owned and Operated Funeral Homes), member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 80 Midland; and has enjoyed assisting several local charities with events and fund raising.
Parrishener of St. James' Anglican Church in Orillia. Away from the office, Rob enjoys spending time with family and friends, outside and on the water in the summer and the ski hills, in the winter; has volunteered as a youth soccer coach, and coached alpine ski racing in the winter.
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David Carson - Administration Manager, Licensed Funeral Director
Email: dcarson@carsonfuneralhomes.com
David was born the youngest of three boys to Bob and Ann Carson. Raised in Orillia Dave attended Hillcrest Public School, and then on to O.D.C.V.I. where he graduated with honours in 1998. Following high school, Dave continued his education at the Royal Military College of Canada where he obtained an Honours degree in Business Administration as well as receiving his Queens Commission for leadership in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Dave, though, had always looked up to his father for his service to his community and those families that turned to him in their time of grief. So Dave decided that Funeral Service was in his blood. Dave enrolled at Humber College in August of 2004 and graduated with honours and receive his funeral directors license in June of 2006. Dave has always been community oriented. You may recognize him from the soccer pitches where he volunteered as a little league coach, Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital where he volunteered as a porter for many summers, or around the Legion where he has helped out on events including the Scottish Festival.
Dave looks forward to his continuing commitment to the city of Orillia and all the families that he has the privilege of serving.
L. Doolittle Chapel
- Orillia, Ontario Canada
Jon Griffiths - Licensed Funeral Director
Jon Griffiths has been been involved in funeral service for over 22 years. He has been a licensed funeral director for over 17 of these years. In 1990 Jon received his Diploma in Funeral Service Education from Humber College of Applied Arts & Technology in Etobicoke and Obtained his Ontario Funeral Director's License from the Ontario Board of Funeral Service. After completing his apprentiship at McKersie Funeral Home in Milton, Ont., Jon moved to Orillia to pursue his career in Funeral Service. Jon is very active in the Orillia community, getting involved in many of his children’s activities including, being a Beaver Leader and a Scout Leader for Scouts Canada, officiating for his daughter's swim club (The Orillia Channel Cats), and has coached for his son and daughter's T-Ball teams. He is also a 17 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #34, Orillia , Jon is currently on the Board of Directors for the Orillia Kiwanis and the Orillia Channel Cats Swim Club. He is a former member of the Orillia Y's Men's Club and, along with his wife and children are members of St. Paul’s United Church in Orillia. He is also a huge supporter of the MS Society of Canada, participating in the MS Super Cities Walk to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Jon resides in Orillia with his wife, Tammy, and their two children, Jon Jr. and Lya. In his spare time Jon enjoys quality time with his family, swimming, long walks, gardening, bowling, baseball and hockey.
John Turvey - Licensed Funeral Director
John, a licensed funeral director since 1982, joined the Carson Funeral Home in 2004. After working for many years in Toronto he relocated his family to Orillia, a city he has enjoyed vacationing around for much of his life. Enjoying being involved in his boy’s interests, John was a leader with Scouts Canada. He was also instrumental, with his wife Pam, in bringing Irish Dancing to Orillia and is now, his boys being teenagers, involved with the ODCVI (High School) Music Parents Association. Boating, being his passion, John is the Public Relations Officer with the Orillia Power and Sail Squadron.
Colin Wackett - Pre-Arrangement Counselor
Colin Wackett, Pre-Arrangement Counselor for Carson Funeral Homes - Doolittle Chapel.
Born and educated in London, England Colin joined the Royal Air Force following his school years, serving in the RAF Police he was posted to the Malaya war zone from 1953-1955.
Upon leaving the RAF he served in the London Metropolitan Police and then Toronto Metropolitan Police Service. He was approached by Mutual Life of Canada to investigate a career in financial services, which he did successfully for 35 years before retiring from that industry. During his insurance career Colin earned the following designations; Chartered Life Underwriter. Chartered Financial Consultant. Certified Financial Planner. In addition he is a Life Member of The Million Dollar Round Table.
Colin lives in Orillia and is married to Cathy; he has one daughter Alexandra and had a son Mark (deceased).
Known for his community work He is Chairman/Convenor of the Orillia Prostate Cancer Awareness Group. Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 34 Executive Committee, Chairman Ukrainian Festival of Barrie, Past President of Orillia Channel Cats Swim Club, a Past President of The Ontario Gymnastics Federation and Vice President of the Canadian Gymnastics Federation, Volunteer fund raiser for OSMH building fund, and has been chair of Church councils and member in both Toronto and Barrie. He also serves with other groups in and around Orillia.
Patricia Gray-Barkey - Organist, Soloist and Receptionist
Patricia Gray-Barkey, Organist, Soloist, Receptionist with Carson Funeral Homes since 1992. Patricia is active in her home town, Orillia, in various capacities: She teaches piano as well as plays and sings at various local Churches, Retirement Homes and specialty functions such as, Anniversaries, Weddings, etc. Patricia plays various other musical instruments such as the French Horn, Accordion and Organ.
Patricia has sat on the Orillia Christian School Board and Educations Committee over the years. She was former President of the Orillia Christian Women's Club International, Orillia Chapter.
Her other interests include walking,crossword puzzles and reading at the camp fire.
She's been married for 36 years. She and Gerry have two adult sons and four grandsons, all here in Orillia.
It is a pleasure to work for and to serve Orillia along with the owners and staff of Carson Funeral Homes.
Anne Shivers - Receptionist
Anne Shivers, a receptionist and occasionally hairstylist with Carson Funeral Homes since 1996. Married for 37 years, Anne and her husband Colin have 2 sons, and 3 grandsons. A member of Church of the Guardian Angels Orillia, Anne is also an active member/volunteer fitness instructor for the Orillia YMCA. Anne and Colin have made Orillia their home for the past 18 years.
J.H. Lynn Chapel
- Midland, Ontario Canada
Katie Gadd - Licensed Funeral Director
Katie Gadd, a licensed funeral director, joined Carson Funeral Homes soon after receiving her Funeral Director’s License from Humber College in 2000. She has recently joined the Midland Business Women’s Association, and enjoys many interests including reading, exercising and sports. Katie was born and raised in Midland, graduating from Midland Secondary School in 1991 and is proud to still be able to call Midland home.
James Parker - Pre-Arrangement Counselor
Jamie Parker, Pre-Arrangement Counselor for Carson Funeral Homes - J.H. Lynn Chapel, is a Licensed Financial Planner, receiving his accreditation in 1994. He has been with Carson Funeral Homes since 1998 helping to educate people and councel families on the financial and organizational benefits of pre-arranging. He will meet with you at his office or in the comfort of your home. Jamie has always been an active member of the community, coaching his children’s baseball teams all through their youth and is a former member of the Corinthian Lodge in Barrie. Married for 30 years, he and his wife reside in Midhurst and have 2 adult children.
Sam "Noreen" Scott - Receptionist
Born and raised near Waubaushene, Ontario, Sam attended Midland District High School, and then went on to the University of Toronto. Sam is the proud mother of 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Is the owner and operator of Sam's Antiques in Midland. Member of the Rebekah Lodge #199 Midland since 1999 and is the Noble Grand for 2007.