Two Local Funeral Homes Return to Family Ownership

During the 1990s, a number of international death care corporations were formed with the purpose of acquiring funeral homes and cemeteries throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe and Australia. The largest of these, Service Corporation International (SCI), a publicly traded corporation, acquired the Basis Funeral Home and Peter R. Angerame Funeral Home in 1993. SCI has operated the funeral homes up until the merger with Joseph A. Farenga & Sons Funeral Home in June 2008.

Gus Antonopoulos, Managing Funeral Director and owner of the Joseph A. Farenga and Sons Funeral Home, has acquired the Basis Funeral Home and the Peter R. Angerame Funeral Home after many years of corporate ownership. Antonopoulos stated, "I am so pleased to be able to return these fine funeral homes to local, family ownership. We vow to continue the great tradition of family service that you have come to expect from a family-owned firm."

The funeral homes have been relocated to Joseph A. Farenga and Sons Funeral Home, located at 38-08 Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria. Founded in 1876 by the Farenga Family, the funeral home has established a legacy of compassionate service that extends over 125 years. For more than 50 of those years, they have been part of Astoria and the greater Queens community, offering assistance and support to families when a death occurs.

Gus Antonopoulos has been involved in the Astoria community his entire life, both professionally and through his community endeavors. He is a past member of the Catholic Cemetery Board, the New York State Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. He was selected into Preferred Funeral Directors International, one of only 50 funeral directors selected throughout the world. He is active in the Kiwanis Club and the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, and works closely with the Ronald McDonald House and St. Mary's Hospital for Children, as well as the Boys & Girls Club and many other important community efforts. Antonopoulos holds a B.A. from St. John's University, and graduated from the American Academy-McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in 1992. As a licensed funeral director, he founded the Antonopoulos Funeral Home in 1994 and acquired ownership of the Joseph A. Farenga and Sons Funeral Home in 1998.

According to Antonopoulos, "One of the most important career decisions a professional Funeral Director can make today is whether to be an independent, family-owned funeral home or part of a large funeral corporation. A family-owned funeral home has only one priority, to serve the community and the families that live there, without concern for stockholders, corporate staff members and excessive overhead. This is the reason I pursued a career in funeral service and my primary reason for acquiring Basis Funeral Home and the Peter R. Angerame Funeral Home."

Over the years, many local families have pre-arranged and pre-paid for funeral services with Basis Funeral Home and the Peter R. Angerame Funeral Home. These funds have been invested in state-approved bank trust accounts. These trust funds will remain intact. "I know what an important decision this was for families. It is important that each family knows the funds set aside to meet funeral expenses are secure. We invite families to visit us at Joseph A. Farenga and Sons at their convenience to review the prearrangements, and to discuss any changes they may want to make," Antonopoulos said.

To make an appointment to review prearrangements, or to get answers to questions concerning funeral costs, personalized funeral services and funeral planning, contact Gus Antonopoulos at 718-726-6060. You may also stop by to tour the Joseph A. Farenga and Sons Funeral home at 38-08 Ditmars Blvd.