Our Valued Staff

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  Frank A. Forastiere, President, Funeral Director

  Frank was born and raised in Springfield, MA. From his earliest childhood memories, Frank aspired to be a funeral director and follow in the footsteps of his father, Anthony J. Forastiere (1911-1999), and his grandfather, Frank M. Forastiere (1879-1952). After earning his Bachelor’s Degree at American International College in Springfield, MA, and in 1969 an Associate’s Degree in funeral service from the New England Institute of Anatomy and Funeral Directing, Boston, MA, Frank formally joined the family business. At the top of Frank’s list of goals is that every family must be served at a superior level so that their funeral experience contributes to the honor and fine memory of the deceased. “We have a very small window of opportunity to serve a family and to do so flawlessly; there are no second chances.”
  
  Frank is the father of four daughters, two of whom are involved in funeral service along with one of his sons-in-law. Frank is a member of many local and national service and fraternal organizations as well as the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association where he served as its president in 1999-2000.

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  JoAnn Forastiere Skiba, Manager, Pre Planning Program/Funeral Director

  JoAnn began her second career as a funeral director in 1998. She earned her degree in Mortuary Science from Briarwood College graduating with highest honors and was named to the President’s list. Previously, she earned her BA Degree from American International College, Springfield, Massachusetts, and her MA Degree in Education of the Hearing-Impaired from Gallaudet University, Washington, DC. She taught at the Maryland and the American schools for the deaf. In addition, before her children entered school full time, she worked as a freelance sign language interpreter.
  
  Always being involved in nurturing and caring fields, the transition to become a funeral director seemed quite natural to her. She specializes in helping families pre-arrange their funerals and manages the pre-planning department.
  
  “I am definitely a people person. I love meeting new families and helping them plan funeral ceremonies that not only respect their wishes, but will also be meaningful to their survivors. It is wonderful to be in the position to give the gift of “peace of mind.” This is what families tell me they feel once they have completed their arrangements.”
  
  JoAnn and her husband Scott are the proud parents of three sons. She is a member of the Bonsai Society of Greater Springfield, the National Funeral Directors Association, and the Cremation Association of North America.
  
  

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  Brian B. Kastner, Funeral Director

  For nearly twenty years Brian Kastner has been a licensed funeral director, moving to New England in 2006. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he graduated in 1994 from the University of Minnesota – Mortuary School with a Bachelor of Science and a major in Mortuary Science. He worked for the Cremation Society of Minnesota and later owned and operated his own funeral home and crematory in Wisconsin before moving to Agawam. Brian enjoys golfing, spending time with family and friends and exploring the outdoors. He is currently a member of the Agawam Knights of Columbus and Crestview Country Club. “Funeral service for me was not a choice, but rather a calling. I find assisting families at one of the most difficult times of their lives most rewarding.”

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  Richard J. Magdycz, Location Manager, Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home / Funeral Director

  Richard was born and raised in Hatfield, MA, and was a graduate of Smith Academy. After high school, he entered North Adams State College and received his B.A. in Education. He is a 1976 Honor’s graduate of New England Institute where he received his Associates Degree in Funeral Service.
  
  Richard is a Funeral Director for Forastiere Family Funeral Homes and remains Location Manager for Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home. Richard lives in Westfield with his wife and two daughters.
  
  As a licensed funeral director and embalmer for 30 years, Richard is committed to providing compassionate service with dignity and respect. He is a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
  

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  Suzanne O'Sullivan Keenan, Funeral Director

  Suzanne O'Sullivan Keenan was born and raised in Springfield's sister city, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. While in primary school Sue remembers watching funeral services pass by her window to a nearby cemetery. The ceremony and tradition of the mourners made a lasting impression on her, sowing the seeds for her future career.
  
  After moving to the United States with her family in 1984, Sue attended Holy Name School in Springfield and graduated from Wilbraham and Monson Academy.
  
  Upon graduation from Wilbraham and Monson, Sue attended Mount Ida College where she received a degree in Mortuary Science. Sue became a licensed funeral director in 1996. Sue has worked in several local funeral homes and has been employed by Forastiere Family Funeral Homes since 2005.
  
  In 2008 Sue became a citizen of the United States of America.
  
  Sue is a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. Sue resides in Longmeadow with her husband and son Joseph.

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  Scott Ramsdell, Funeral Director

  Scott Ramsdell was born and raised in the Sixteen Acres area of Springfield, attended schools there, and graduated from West Springfield High School in 1992. He lives in West Springfield with his wife, Nicole and their children.
  
  Scott enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing golf, and fishing at the Cape. He is a member of the Mt. Orthodox Lodge of Masons AF&AM and the Melha Shriners; and he served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard.
  
  Scott is a 1999 graduate of Briarwood College in Southington, CT where he received his Associates Degree in Mortuary Science. His interest in funeral service began with pathology, but was heightened when that blended with caring for families at a time of need. “Going home at the end of the day with a sense of helping others is a very gratifying feeling.”
  

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  Michael Gadziala, Funeral Director

  Michael was raised in Ware, Massachusetts and attended Holyoke Community College. It was during this time that he found an interest in the funeral profession and worked for area funeral homes, part time. In 1975 Michael moved to Boston, and has been involved in funeral work ever since on a full time basis. Michael was a 1978 Honors Graduate of the former New England Institute, Kenmore Square in Boston. He is a licensed funeral director in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.
  
  Michael worked for twenty years in Connecticut before joining the Forastiere Family in March of 2004. “Coming back to the Springfield area is very meaningful to me as I spent so much of my youth in this area. Serving families has always been very rewarding. Creating a personal service which will enshrine the memory of a loved one is of the utmost importance to me.” Michael lives in Connecticut with his wife, Marianne and daughter Angelina. His pastimes include photography and music.