Staff
For 30 years our family cares for yours.
Paul is a native New Yorker, having been born and raised in Buffalo. After taking a death and dying course in college, Paul became interested in funeral service. Enrolling and graduating from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, Paul became New York State licensed in 1989. He also attained a Bachelor of Science degree from Medaille College in New York.
In 1998, Paul moved to Fairfield County in Connecticut where he first managed the Raymond Funeral Home in Norwalk and then the Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan.
In March of 2018, Paul purchased what is now the Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home.
Paul is currently a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church, where he serves as a Lector. He is also a member of the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Columbus (Kingston Council #275) where he is a fourth degree knight, and both the New York State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.
When Paul and his wife Jillian are not serving the community, they enjoy exploring the Hudson Valley in their classic cars. They also enjoy spending quality time with their family.
Non-Licensed
Born in the Hudson Valley and a life-long resident of Ulster County, Jillian is a true local.
Coming from a background in marketing, promotion and banking, Jillian serves as Office Manager. She also oversees marketing and promotion of the funeral home. With the ongoing demand to keep up with today’s technology, Jillian has led the technological advancements at Copeland-Hammerl Funeral Home.
The Hammerl’s are also very involved with the community at large and when they are not serving the community, they enjoy their family. They also enjoy exploring the Hudson Valley in their vintage automobiles.
Rocco Is a lifelong Hudson Valley resident. Formally of New Windsor, he moved to Ulster County in 2020 and now lives in Highland. At the age of 17 Rocco became interested in funeral service and began working at one of the local funeral homes. He quickly learned that funeral service is something that he had a calling for and decided to make a career of it. Upon graduating High School Rocco went to Hudson Valley Community College and received his Associate Degree in Mortuary Science in 2020. He became licensed in August of 2022.
Service is important to Rocco and always strives to meet all the needs of the families he serves.
In his spare time, he likes to crank his amp and play on his Fender American Standard Stratocaster, or spend time with his dog, Beanie.
James grew up locally in Highland, NY and attended Highland schools throughout his childhood. In 1998 he received his Bachelor of Science Degree from SUNY New Paltz. Thereafter, he pursued his passion of becoming a Funeral Director and attended American Academy McAllister Institute where he received his AAS Degree in Mortuary Science in 2002. Since then, he's been serving the Hudson Valley Community and guiding families with care and compassion for over 20 years.
Jimmy is an active Board Member of Making Strides Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc. and has been involved with the Highland Little League for numerous years as Coach and parent.
Jimmy and his wife Kimberly live in Clintondale, NY with their six children and lovingly share their home with their many animals.
Non-Licensed
Barbara was born in Kingston and raised within the charming hamlet of Accord.
Soon after graduating from the Rondout Valley Central School District, Barbara began working in health spas located in the Hudson valley. Meeting many local residents and forming social bonds during those years aspired Barbara to venture into a new career, Sales Management. In between the years Barbara has worked in the Hudson Valley, she became a mother of two wonderful children she is now raising in her hometown. While working and raising her children, Barbara became eager to further her education and experience. She took many courses at Ulster County Community College and fulfilled many of her goals.
Barbara came on staff in February 2021. She has grown to be a part of our family. Serving the community for many years has inspired Barbara to bond closely with every family we serve.
When Barbara is not serving the Hudson Valley, she spends quality time with her children. Cooking, baking, and enjoying some fun activities on the weekends. Finding some personal time to sit and relax with a good book, keeps Barbara’s life positively balanced.
