Our Staff
James M. Gariepy, the new owner of McClellan Funeral Service, now known as McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, Inc., graduated from Cohoes High School in 1987 and graduated from Hudson Valley Community College in 1989. He served his funeral directing residency at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh and received his funeral director's license in October of 1990. He worked for eight years in Canajoharie and Fort Plain before relocating to his hometown of Cohoes where he worked in Latham. Jim is a member of the Greenwich Elks Lodge 2223, the New York State Funeral Director's Association, Adirondack Funeral Director's Association, Capital District Funeral Director's Association and the National Funeral Director's Association. He is also a member of the Salem Rotary Club and the Salem Knights of Columbus, Council 10848 and a member of the Salem Rescue Squad where he is a member of it's Board of Directors and serves as a New York State Certified EMT with the squad and it's Assistant Captain. Jim is also a member of the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad where he is an EMT. The funeral home participates in the Adopt -A -Highway Program and covers a 2 mile stretch of highway north of the village of Salem in the Towns of Salem and Hebron. Jim, his wife, Kim, and their son Michael live at the funeral home allowing Jim to be able to serve the community whenever he is needed. Jim and his family are active members of Holy Cross Church, where Kim is a religious education instructor and Jim is a member of the Men's Group at the church and Michael is an altar server. They are also members of the Historic Salem Courthouse Preservation Association. Kim is a member of the Pastoral Council and a member of the Religious Education Board at Holy Cross Church. She is also an auxiliary member and serves as the secretary of the Salem Rescue Squad. Kim was a special education teacher in the Cohoes City Schools until retiring in 2009 and is a member of the Salem Central Schools Parent Teachers Association, where their son, Michael is a sixth grade student who enjoys playing soccer and basketball. Jim brings many years of experience in funeral service to the Salem area where he will treat each family with personal care as if it were his own.
Jon McClellan, was the owner of McClellan Funeral Service since he acquired the business from his father in 1965. Jon has faithfully served his community in all aspects of funeral service. After forty years of ownership, Jon decided to sell the funeral home to Jim & Kim Gariepy. The McClellan family has placed their trust in the Gariepys to continue the tradition of serving families of Salem and the surrounding communities.
Kara J. Hanks graduated from Salem Washington Academy in 1991 and graduated from Hudson Valley Community College in 1996. She served her residency at Sullivan-Minahan & Potter Funeral Home in Queensbury and received her funeral directors license in 1998. After receiving her license she started working at McClellan Funeral Service. Kara has been a member of the Salem community her whole life and resides with her husband Darr and two daughters, Chloe and Hannah and son, Dillon. Kara and her family are members of the First United Presbyterian Church in Salem.
Members of the staff who assist with visitation hours and funerals are Kim Gariepy, Vicky Campbell, Gregory McClellan and Frederick Muhlig.
