Staff Name
Staff Position
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna. Et ligula...
Staff Name
Staff Position
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna. Et ligula...
Staff Name
Staff Position
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna. Et ligula...
Staff Name
Staff Position
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna. Et ligula...
Staff Name
Staff Position
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna. Et ligula...
Staff Name
Staff Position
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Elit ut aliquam purus sit amet luctus venenatis lectus magna. Et ligula...
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 New Jersey, New York, & Florida. He takes great pride in helping families celebrate life, preserve memories, and find peace during challenging times.
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 New Jersey, New York, & Florida. He takes great pride in helping families celebrate life, preserve memories, and find peace during challenging times.
Dale R. Schoustra
Funeral Director NJ Lic # 3707
Dale R. Schoustra has dedicated more than 37 years to serving families at Gray Funeral Homes, joining the firm in June 1988 as a funeral director and becoming Manager of Gray Memorial Funeral Home in 1993. Throughout his career, he has earned the trust and respect of countless families by providing compassionate guidance, personalized care, and unwavering professionalism during life's most difficult moments.
Dale's interest in funeral service began at the age of seventeen while attending Eastern Christian High School in North Haledon, New Jersey. What started as a position as a parking attendant at a local funeral home quickly grew into a lifelong calling. Encouraged by his employer and family, he pursued his education at Bergen Community College before graduating from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City.
Raised in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Dale completed his apprenticeship at C.C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home before joining Gray Funeral Homes, where he has spent nearly four decades caring for families throughout Westfield, Cranford, Garwood, and the surrounding communities.
Dale and his wife, Christine, a lifelong Cranford resident, have been married since 1994 and are proud parents of two children, Jonathan and Kelly. Family has always been at the center of Dale's life, and the same values of compassion, respect, and service that guide his home life are reflected in the care he provides to every family he serves.
An active member of the community, Dale serves as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Cranford and is a member of the Cranford Elks and Theodore Roosevelt Lodge No. 22. Outside of the funeral home, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and watching football.
After serving as manager for more than three decades, Dale has transitioned from the day-to-day responsibilities of leadership while continuing to do what he enjoys most—serving families. He remains an integral member of the Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service team and takes great pride in helping continue the tradition of compassionate care that has distinguished Gray Funeral Homes for generations.
Dale is confident that the future of the funeral home is in capable hands under the leadership of James Robert Pescitelli. Sharing the same commitment to professionalism, integrity, and personalized service, Dale looks forward to helping carry Gray's longstanding tradition of excellence into the next generation.
Dale R. Schoustra
Funeral Director NJ Lic # 3707
Dale R. Schoustra has dedicated more than 37 years to serving families at Gray Funeral Homes, joining the firm in June 1988 as a funeral director and becoming Manager of Gray Memorial Funeral Home in 1993. Throughout his career, he has earned the trust and respect of countless families by providing compassionate guidance, personalized care, and unwavering professionalism during life's most difficult moments.
Dale's interest in funeral service began at the age of seventeen while attending Eastern Christian High School in North Haledon, New Jersey. What started as a position as a parking attendant at a local funeral home quickly grew into a lifelong calling. Encouraged by his employer and family, he pursued his education at Bergen Community College before graduating from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City.
Raised in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Dale completed his apprenticeship at C.C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home before joining Gray Funeral Homes, where he has spent nearly four decades caring for families throughout Westfield, Cranford, Garwood, and the surrounding communities.
Dale and his wife, Christine, a lifelong Cranford resident, have been married since 1994 and are proud parents of two children, Jonathan and Kelly. Family has always been at the center of Dale's life, and the same values of compassion, respect, and service that guide his home life are reflected in the care he provides to every family he serves.
An active member of the community, Dale serves as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Cranford and is a member of the Cranford Elks and Theodore Roosevelt Lodge No. 22. Outside of the funeral home, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and watching football.
After serving as manager for more than three decades, Dale has transitioned from the day-to-day responsibilities of leadership while continuing to do what he enjoys most—serving families. He remains an integral member of the Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home & Cremation Service team and takes great pride in helping continue the tradition of compassionate care that has distinguished Gray Funeral Homes for generations.
Dale is confident that the future of the funeral home is in capable hands under the leadership of James Robert Pescitelli. Sharing the same commitment to professionalism, integrity, and personalized service, Dale looks forward to helping carry Gray's longstanding tradition of excellence into the next generation.
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 the 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 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 in 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 the 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 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 in 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!
