Staff

Our dedicated staff are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.



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Robert E. Kanapaux Manager (NJ Lic. # 3215) morriscountyfuneral@gmail.com

Robert was raised in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, New York and spent his adolescent years summering with his family in the Indian Lake section of Denville before permanently relocating to Morris county in 1966.  He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison and received an associates degree from County College of Morris in Randolph.  Robert's career in funeral service began casually as a limousine driver for a local funeral home and eventually he enrolled in the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, where he graduated with a degree in funeral service. He became a licensed funeral director in 1975.

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Melissa Kanapaux Funeral Director (NJ Lic. #4523) Morriscountyfuneral@gmail.com

Raised in Rockaway, Melissa graduated from Morris Hills High School and went on to earn a bachelors degree from University of Maryland, College Park.  Following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, she received an associates degree in mortuary science from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City and became a licensed funeral director in 2002.  She currently resides in Denville with her two children and their sweet goldendoodle, Maizie.

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Melissa Swift Funeral Director (NJ Lic. #5120) Morriscountyfuneral@gmail.com

Melissa is a lifelong resident of Morris County, and a graduate of Roxbury High School.  Her career began as a licensed Cosmetologist in 2006, and later she graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in 2015. In addition to maintaining her Cosmetology License, Melissa is a Licensed Funeral Director with a decade of experience. Her expertise in these two fields bring an added level of care and comfort to the families she serves.

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Emma Bullock Funeral Director Intern *

Emma is a lifelong resident of Highland Lakes and a graduate of Sussex County Technical School. Currently a student at Eastwick College, she studies to earn an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Funeral Services. 

Emma began her apprenticeship in October of 2022 at Whitham-Kanapaux Funeral Home. Serving both locations, Emma strives to learn from the directors above her and assist families in their greatest time of need.  

*This person is unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.

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Thomas Slockbower Funeral Assistant & Hearse Driver

Tom is a lifelong resident of Rockaway Borough. Now retired, he has volunteered in many committees such as the Fire Department, Historical Committee, Municipal Alliance, Memorial Association of Rockaway/Denville, and SLA Member Rockaway Township VFW. He is civic minded, and always there to help the residents and guests of Rockaway. Tom is happily married with two wonderful boys.

This person is unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.

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Victoria Huss Funeral Assistant & Hearse Driver

Victoria lives in Parsippany where she graduated from Parsippany Hills High School. She has worked as a funeral assistant at both locations since 2019 while continuing her education at Rutgers University.

This person is unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.

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Jo Ann Daly Funeral Assistant


Jo Ann is recently retired after working 40 years at Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey and Connecticut. She has one son, Thomas, and has lived in Rockaway Borough all of her life.  She is a parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway where she participates in various ministries.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting and baking. Jo Ann is also a New York Yankees season ticket holder and a huge, huge fan!

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Alphonse Huss Funeral Assistant

Alphonse is a Parsippany resident and graduate of Parsippany Hills High School. He is pursuing a career in law enforcement with his bachelors degree in criminal justice from Felician University which he obtained in August 2022. Al has been working with the funeral home since July 2022.

This person is unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.

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Maizie Therapy Dog

Maizie was born on December 27, 2020.  She received her Certification as a Therapy Dog and her Good Canine Citizen Award at the young age of 1.5 years old.  In her spare time, when she is not working at the funeral home, Maizie enjoys sunbathing, agility courses and waiting for the schoolbus to greet her tiny humans.  As the busiest member of her family, Maizie also volunteers her time with Creature Comfort in Madison visiting local schools and nursing facilities once a month. Her favorite foods include watermelon, cheese and dog biscuits.  

This dog is unlicensed (aside from town animal licensing) not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.

Robert E. Kanapaux

Manager (NJ Lic. # 3215)
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Robert was raised in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, New York and spent his adolescent years summering with his family in the Indian Lake section of Denville before permanently relocating to Morris county in 1966.  He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison and received an associates degree from County College of Morris in Randolph.  Robert's career in funeral service began casually as a limousine driver for a local funeral home and eventually he enrolled in the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, where he graduated with a degree in funeral service. He became a licensed funeral director in 1975.

Melissa Kanapaux

Funeral Director (NJ Lic. #4523)
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Raised in Rockaway, Melissa graduated from Morris Hills High School and went on to earn a bachelors degree from University of Maryland, College Park.  Following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, she received an associates degree in mortuary science from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City and became a licensed funeral director in 2002.  She currently resides in Denville with her two children and their sweet goldendoodle, Maizie.

Melissa Swift

Funeral Director (NJ Lic. #5120)
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Melissa is a lifelong resident of Morris County, and a graduate of Roxbury High School.  Her career began as a licensed Cosmetologist in 2006, and later she graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in 2015. In addition to maintaining her Cosmetology License, Melissa is a Licensed Funeral Director with a decade of experience. Her expertise in these two fields bring an added level of care and comfort to the families she serves.

Emma Bullock

Funeral Director Intern *
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Emma is a lifelong resident of Highland Lakes and a graduate of Sussex County Technical School. Currently a student at Eastwick College, she studies to earn an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Funeral Services. 

Emma began her apprenticeship in October of 2022 at Whitham-Kanapaux Funeral Home. Serving both locations, Emma strives to learn from the directors above her and assist families in their greatest time of need.  

*This person is unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.

Thomas Slockbower

Funeral Assistant & Hearse Driver
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Tom is a lifelong resident of Rockaway Borough. Now retired, he has volunteered in many committees such as the Fire Department, Historical Committee, Municipal Alliance, Memorial Association of Rockaway/Denville, and SLA Member Rockaway Township VFW. He is civic minded, and always there to help the residents and guests of Rockaway. Tom is happily married with two wonderful boys.

This person is unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.

Victoria Huss

Funeral Assistant & Hearse Driver
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Victoria lives in Parsippany where she graduated from Parsippany Hills High School. She has worked as a funeral assistant at both locations since 2019 while continuing her education at Rutgers University.

This person is unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.

Jo Ann Daly

Funeral Assistant
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Jo Ann is recently retired after working 40 years at Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey and Connecticut. She has one son, Thomas, and has lived in Rockaway Borough all of her life.  She is a parishioner of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway where she participates in various ministries.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting and baking. Jo Ann is also a New York Yankees season ticket holder and a huge, huge fan!

Alphonse Huss

Funeral Assistant
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Alphonse is a Parsippany resident and graduate of Parsippany Hills High School. He is pursuing a career in law enforcement with his bachelors degree in criminal justice from Felician University which he obtained in August 2022. Al has been working with the funeral home since July 2022.

This person is unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.

Maizie

Therapy Dog
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Maizie was born on December 27, 2020.  She received her Certification as a Therapy Dog and her Good Canine Citizen Award at the young age of 1.5 years old.  In her spare time, when she is not working at the funeral home, Maizie enjoys sunbathing, agility courses and waiting for the schoolbus to greet her tiny humans.  As the busiest member of her family, Maizie also volunteers her time with Creature Comfort in Madison visiting local schools and nursing facilities once a month. Her favorite foods include watermelon, cheese and dog biscuits.  

This dog is unlicensed (aside from town animal licensing) not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm, or conduct funerals.