Our Staff
The Caring Staff At Gray & Pescitelli
Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.
James Robert Pescitelli
Manager/Owner NJ Lic. #5407
James Pescitelli is a native of Staten Island and a compassionate funeral service professional dedicated to helping families navigate life’s most difficult moments with care, dignity, and respect. He entered the funeral service profession at the age of 16, developing a lifelong commitment to serving families and supporting his community during times of loss. As an owner of Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service, James is committed to providing personalized funeral, memorial, and cremation services that honor the unique lives and legacies of those entrusted to the firm.
Known for his professionalism, empathy, and attention to detail, James works closely with families to create meaningful tributes while guiding them through every step of the planning process with understanding and compassion. He graduated from St. John’s University and furthered his funeral service education at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City, graduating from McAllister in 2010. He believes that every family deserves individualized support and thoughtful service during times of loss.
Before joining Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service, James spent 10 years at Frank E. Campbell – The Funeral Chapel in New York City, ultimately serving as Vice President, where he gained extensive experience serving families with distinction, professionalism, and compassion. Under James’s leadership, Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service continues a tradition of excellence rooted in integrity, community involvement, and a commitment to serving families with sincerity and care. His dedication to building lasting relationships within the community reflects the firm’s mission of providing comfort, guidance, and trusted service when it matters most.
James is a licensed funeral director in both New York and New Jersey. He takes great pride in helping families celebrate life, preserve memories, and find peace during challenging times.
---
## Optional Additions to Personalize the Bio
You can strengthen the bio further by adding:
* Years of experience in funeral service
* Professional licenses and certifications
* Educational background
* Memberships in funeral service associations
* Community organizations and charitable involvement
* Family history in the funeral profession
* Awards or recognitions
* Specialties in memorial planning or cremation services
---
## Short Version for Team Page
James Pescitelli is an owner of Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service, where he is dedicated to serving families with compassion, professionalism, and personalized care. He is committed to helping families honor their loved ones through meaningful funeral, memorial, and cremation services.
James Robert Pescitelli
Manager/Owner NJ Lic. #5407
James Pescitelli is a native of Staten Island and a compassionate funeral service professional dedicated to helping families navigate life’s most difficult moments with care, dignity, and respect. He entered the funeral service profession at the age of 16, developing a lifelong commitment to serving families and supporting his community during times of loss. As an owner of Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service, James is committed to providing personalized funeral, memorial, and cremation services that honor the unique lives and legacies of those entrusted to the firm.
Known for his professionalism, empathy, and attention to detail, James works closely with families to create meaningful tributes while guiding them through every step of the planning process with understanding and compassion. He graduated from St. John’s University and furthered his funeral service education at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City, graduating from McAllister in 2010. He believes that every family deserves individualized support and thoughtful service during times of loss.
Before joining Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service, James spent 10 years at Frank E. Campbell – The Funeral Chapel in New York City, ultimately serving as Vice President, where he gained extensive experience serving families with distinction, professionalism, and compassion. Under James’s leadership, Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service continues a tradition of excellence rooted in integrity, community involvement, and a commitment to serving families with sincerity and care. His dedication to building lasting relationships within the community reflects the firm’s mission of providing comfort, guidance, and trusted service when it matters most.
James is a licensed funeral director in both New York and New Jersey. He takes great pride in helping families celebrate life, preserve memories, and find peace during challenging times.
---
## Optional Additions to Personalize the Bio
You can strengthen the bio further by adding:
* Years of experience in funeral service
* Professional licenses and certifications
* Educational background
* Memberships in funeral service associations
* Community organizations and charitable involvement
* Family history in the funeral profession
* Awards or recognitions
* Specialties in memorial planning or cremation services
---
## Short Version for Team Page
James Pescitelli is an owner of Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service, where he is dedicated to serving families with compassion, professionalism, and personalized care. He is committed to helping families honor their loved ones through meaningful funeral, memorial, and cremation services.
Dale R. Schoustra
Funeral Director NJ Lic # 3707
Dale Schoustra has been with Gray Funeral Homes since June of 1988 as a funeral director and became Manager of Gray Memorial in 1993.
Dale started his interest in funeral service at age seventeen while in Eastern Christian High School in North Haledon, New Jersey. He started out as a parking attendant at a local funeral home in Bergen County. As he got involved in other aspects of the business, he was encouraged by his employer and his parents to look at a career in funeral service. Following his calling for his life work, he followed that path by going to Bergen Community College, and then on to the American Academy Mc Allister Institute Of Funeral Service in New York City.
Growing up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, he served his apprenticeship at C.C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home in the same town. He came to Westfield, and Cranford and met Christine M. Barber. She is a lifelong resident of Cranford, and a true Jersey Girl (Bruce Springsteen fan). They got married in 1994. They have two children, Jonathan, and Kelly. Jon works as a parking lot attendant and tends door here at Gray’s. Kelly is a student at Clemson University (Go Tigers) in South Carolina with a major in pre-business.
Dale came to love Cranford, Westfield, Garwood and the surrounding communities to which he serves. He is a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Cranford, and the Cranford Elks, and the Azure Masada Lodge. When he is not working, he enjoys his family first and foremost, and also enjoys golf and watching a good football game.
Along with William Doyle, and J.M. Jones; Dale runs the Gray Funeral Homes as if they were his own. As he likes to put it,“ it is his old school upbringing” that trickles down to the families he serves, and their loved ones. Treating everyone with the utmost dignity and respect, is important to him. With our path of Life Celebration, we can bring out a life that is and was well lived. Dale likes to think that he went into funeral service for the right reasons, and that is to help people through a most difficult time.
Dale R. Schoustra
Funeral Director NJ Lic # 3707
Dale Schoustra has been with Gray Funeral Homes since June of 1988 as a funeral director and became Manager of Gray Memorial in 1993.
Dale started his interest in funeral service at age seventeen while in Eastern Christian High School in North Haledon, New Jersey. He started out as a parking attendant at a local funeral home in Bergen County. As he got involved in other aspects of the business, he was encouraged by his employer and his parents to look at a career in funeral service. Following his calling for his life work, he followed that path by going to Bergen Community College, and then on to the American Academy Mc Allister Institute Of Funeral Service in New York City.
Growing up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, he served his apprenticeship at C.C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home in the same town. He came to Westfield, and Cranford and met Christine M. Barber. She is a lifelong resident of Cranford, and a true Jersey Girl (Bruce Springsteen fan). They got married in 1994. They have two children, Jonathan, and Kelly. Jon works as a parking lot attendant and tends door here at Gray’s. Kelly is a student at Clemson University (Go Tigers) in South Carolina with a major in pre-business.
Dale came to love Cranford, Westfield, Garwood and the surrounding communities to which he serves. He is a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Cranford, and the Cranford Elks, and the Azure Masada Lodge. When he is not working, he enjoys his family first and foremost, and also enjoys golf and watching a good football game.
Along with William Doyle, and J.M. Jones; Dale runs the Gray Funeral Homes as if they were his own. As he likes to put it,“ it is his old school upbringing” that trickles down to the families he serves, and their loved ones. Treating everyone with the utmost dignity and respect, is important to him. With our path of Life Celebration, we can bring out a life that is and was well lived. Dale likes to think that he went into funeral service for the right reasons, and that is to help people through a most difficult time.
William A. Doyle (1929-2019)
Manager / Funeral Director
The late William A. Doyle was a funeral director and manager with Gray Funeral Homes for more than 55 years of service. Sadly, Bill passed away on November 4, 2019, a little more than a month shy of his 90th birthday.
With more than 65 years of experience, young William decided he wanted to be a funeral director since his formative years as a 7th grader. While visiting a friend’s house for lunch, Bill heard his friend’s father, who was a funeral director, remark on how nice the checks were that they had received that week “for three days work.” That set in motion what would later become his life’s vocation. He would soon find out that it wasn’t just ”three days work”, but 365 days work, and being available 24/7 including weekends, and holidays.
Born in Newark on December 8th, 1929, to the late James and Elizabeth Fox Doyle, Bill has a sister, Claire Doyle Smith, and a brother, the late James Doyle. He was raised in Newark, where he attended Blessed Sacrament School, St. Joseph’s School, and St. Benedict’s Prep School. Upon graduation, in 1947, he began a three year internship with the James F. Caffrey & Son Funeral Home in Newark. It was during this time that a funeral director friend, Andy Flood, set him up on a blind date, with the lovely Alice Vermilyea. Soon after, world events changed Bill’s plans. The Korean War broke out, and mortuary science school would have to wait, as Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was sent to the Naval Hospital Corps. School in Bainbridge, MD, where he was trained as a medic. Before he was sent overseas to Japan and Korea, he and Alice, his soul mate, were married, on February 2, 1952, in Saint Mary’s Abby Church, Newark. Medics were in high demand on the ground, so the Navy transferred Bill to the US Marines, 1st Division in Korea. He would remain there for a year and a half. After his tour there, he was transferred to the Naval Hospital in Japan. He agreed to an overseas extension in Japan, where he was later joined by his young bride, Alice and their first child, Carol, with their second child Bill Jr. “on the way.” They lived in Japan until Bill’s duty ended in December 1955.
With the war over, and Bill’s service to his country has ended, it was time to get back to his life’s work i.e. having lots of kids, and working long hours as a funeral director. Bill completed his studies at the McAllister School of Mortuary Science, New York City and passed his state board exams to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer in New Jersey. He was eventually able to find a full time position with the former Weatherhead Funeral Home in Orange. He later worked at Arthur K. Brown, in Montclair, and Haeberle & Barth in Irvington and Union. In 1958, Bill learned that Mr. Fred H.Gray Sr. was looking for a funeral director for his Westfield and Cranford funeral homes. He accepted what was then a generous offer, and never looked back. In 1966 Gray’s would become part of the Crabiel group of funeral homes. David B. Crabiel, founder, and president would later name Bill to the positions of manager, and executive director of Gray’s. Bill has served his community and profession well over his many years of service. Having been active with many civic groups such as the Lions, the Knights of Columbus, and the board of the Westfield Senior Housing, Bill also served in various committees and positions with the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, and the Union County Funeral Directors Association.
He was a committed supporter of religious mission work and US military veterans groups. He and Alice’s love for each other produced eight children: Carol Ann Dinsmore (Robert), William A. Jr. (Claudia), James K. (Linda), Kathleen Dinsmore, Timothy, Thomas (Rose), Patrick, and Mark (Veronica). There are now 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Where it stops no one knows!
William A. Doyle (1929-2019)
Manager / Funeral Director
The late William A. Doyle was a funeral director and manager with Gray Funeral Homes for more than 55 years of service. Sadly, Bill passed away on November 4, 2019, a little more than a month shy of his 90th birthday.
With more than 65 years of experience, young William decided he wanted to be a funeral director since his formative years as a 7th grader. While visiting a friend’s house for lunch, Bill heard his friend’s father, who was a funeral director, remark on how nice the checks were that they had received that week “for three days work.” That set in motion what would later become his life’s vocation. He would soon find out that it wasn’t just ”three days work”, but 365 days work, and being available 24/7 including weekends, and holidays.
Born in Newark on December 8th, 1929, to the late James and Elizabeth Fox Doyle, Bill has a sister, Claire Doyle Smith, and a brother, the late James Doyle. He was raised in Newark, where he attended Blessed Sacrament School, St. Joseph’s School, and St. Benedict’s Prep School. Upon graduation, in 1947, he began a three year internship with the James F. Caffrey & Son Funeral Home in Newark. It was during this time that a funeral director friend, Andy Flood, set him up on a blind date, with the lovely Alice Vermilyea. Soon after, world events changed Bill’s plans. The Korean War broke out, and mortuary science school would have to wait, as Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was sent to the Naval Hospital Corps. School in Bainbridge, MD, where he was trained as a medic. Before he was sent overseas to Japan and Korea, he and Alice, his soul mate, were married, on February 2, 1952, in Saint Mary’s Abby Church, Newark. Medics were in high demand on the ground, so the Navy transferred Bill to the US Marines, 1st Division in Korea. He would remain there for a year and a half. After his tour there, he was transferred to the Naval Hospital in Japan. He agreed to an overseas extension in Japan, where he was later joined by his young bride, Alice and their first child, Carol, with their second child Bill Jr. “on the way.” They lived in Japan until Bill’s duty ended in December 1955.
With the war over, and Bill’s service to his country has ended, it was time to get back to his life’s work i.e. having lots of kids, and working long hours as a funeral director. Bill completed his studies at the McAllister School of Mortuary Science, New York City and passed his state board exams to become a licensed funeral director and embalmer in New Jersey. He was eventually able to find a full time position with the former Weatherhead Funeral Home in Orange. He later worked at Arthur K. Brown, in Montclair, and Haeberle & Barth in Irvington and Union. In 1958, Bill learned that Mr. Fred H.Gray Sr. was looking for a funeral director for his Westfield and Cranford funeral homes. He accepted what was then a generous offer, and never looked back. In 1966 Gray’s would become part of the Crabiel group of funeral homes. David B. Crabiel, founder, and president would later name Bill to the positions of manager, and executive director of Gray’s. Bill has served his community and profession well over his many years of service. Having been active with many civic groups such as the Lions, the Knights of Columbus, and the board of the Westfield Senior Housing, Bill also served in various committees and positions with the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, and the Union County Funeral Directors Association.
He was a committed supporter of religious mission work and US military veterans groups. He and Alice’s love for each other produced eight children: Carol Ann Dinsmore (Robert), William A. Jr. (Claudia), James K. (Linda), Kathleen Dinsmore, Timothy, Thomas (Rose), Patrick, and Mark (Veronica). There are now 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Where it stops no one knows!