Our Valued Staff

Eric and Susanne Tappenden

Eric and Susanne Tappenden have lived in Markham for 45 years. They are both active members of their church and their community. Eric is a former Board Chair of Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation, Markham Theatre, the Markham Prayer Breakfast, Markhaven Foundation, the Markham Board of Trade and has served in many other organizations including the Markham Sunrise Rotary Club, Bereaved Families of York Region, the York Region Police Appreciation Committee, and was the Vice-Chair of the Character Community Foundation of York Region, among others. Susanne & Eric have raised their three children in Markham, the eldest of whom, Glenn, is a valued member of the management team at Chapel Ridge.

Alex Elder

Licensed since 1986 License # 200234

Born in Toronto, after pursuing a degree in social work, Alex became a licensed funeral director in 1986. During his career in Funeral Service, he has worked in funeral homes in Toronto and Huntsville, he has worked to support Funeral Service as the past president of the Toronto and District Funeral Directors Association. The ability to provide personal caring service is what has drawn Alex to work with Chapel Ridge Funeral Home.

Sagen Pearse

Licensed since 2012

Sagen is our longest serving Funeral Director and provides leadership as Assistant Managing Funeral Director. Sagen is known by his colleagues, families and our community as professional, creative and compassionate in every aspect of funeral service, as he assists families through their most challenging times. Outside of work, he is passionate about music and graphic design. Sagen cherishes his role as husband to Sjeli, and as father to his two sons Sylas and Salem.

Vilosan Sivatharman

Licensed since 2014

Vilo was born in Sri Lanka and immigrated to Canada in his early twenties. Before becoming a funeral director, Vilo worked as an engineer. He is very active in his cultural community, volunteering at countless benefits, galas, and speaking engagements. Vilo speaks English and Tamil fluently and is well versed in Hindu rituals as well as traditional Christian and Catholic services.

Michael Cheung

Licensed since 2012

Michael was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada in his twenties. Before becoming a funeral director, Michael worked in the restaurant business. He is very well known within his community and church groups. Michael is extremely hardworking and dedicated to the families that entrust him with their loved one’s funeral arrangements. He speaks English and Cantonese fluently and is very well versed in Buddhist culture/rituals as well as traditional Christian and Catholic services.

Sidney Strachan

Licensed since 2024

Sidney was born in Toronto, and before becoming a Licensed Funeral Director worked as a wedding planner, server, social worker and crematorium operator. She has a degree in History and Psychology, and loves cooking, jazz, and walks with her little Morkie named Hera. Sidney is known for her compassion and dedication to serving families with care and professionalism.

David Zou

Licensed since 2020

David was born and raised in Hong Kong and moved to Canada in 1992. David became a funeral director after experiencing a personal loss and having a very bad experience with the funeral home which was supposed to be helping his family. David wanted to do whatever he could to make sure no other families had to put up with similar treatment, so he became a licensed director. David has a soft-spoken demeanour and a servant’s heart. He is always meticulously detailed in the best ways, making sure even the smallest detail does not get missed. David is very involved with his Catholic church and has a lot of experience serving Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Catholic, and non-denominational funeral services. David is fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Shanghainese.

Harjinder Bilkhu

Licensed since 2007

Harjinder, otherwise known as Harry, was born in India and grew up in a number of countries around the world, ranging from England to Africa. Before Harry was a funeral director he worked as an airline pilot. Harjinder is very active in senior groups, and volunteers his time freely to many Sikh and Hindu temples around the GTA. Harry specializes in arranging Sikh and Hindu funeral services but is always willing and able to assist any family’s needs/requests. Harry is fluent in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu, and Swahili..

Jin Hwa Park

Licensed since 2014

Jin Hwa Park was born in Korea, worked as a journalist after graduating from university. After experiencing the sudden loss of her mother, she became a funeral director to help people at their most difficult time. She has worked closely with major Korean churches and community groups in the GTA area. Her passion for helping people is not limited to funeral services. She attended the Grief Counseling Course at George Brown College and has run a bereavement support group at St. Andrew Kim Catholic Church. Jin is fluent in English and Korean.

Matthew Policicchio

Licensed since 2018

Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Matthew started his career in funeral services in high school working as a funeral director’s assistant. He has a great attitude for this business, always looking to go above and beyond the family’s requests. Matt never shies away from putting in extra hours to make sure families are well served. We appreciate his tenacity and outgoing personality.

Sarah Kilmartin

Licensed since 2021

Sarah Kilmartin has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 2021. With a deep commitment to providing compassionate and professional care, Sarah brings expertise and empathy to every aspect of her duties. Outside of the workplace, she enjoys spending her free time reading and cooking, hobbies that reflect her nurturing and attentive nature. Sarah’s dedication to her craft and her community makes her a valuable member of our team.

Sean Gates

Licensed since 2009

Sean was born in Toronto and raised in Markham, he studied music in university before going to Humber College for Funeral Services. Sean has an amazing aptitude for helping people. He is quite often the first to arrive and the last to leave the building. He always does his best to make sure families are well served, and attended to personally. Sean is involved with the Unionville Curling Club and loves to play and watch major tennis events. We are very privileged to have him at Chapel Ridge.

Julia Kwan

Licensed since 2007

Julia was born in Hong Kong and moved to Toronto in 1985. She earned her Business and Economics degree in 1989. Julia began her career as a financial controller at a Toronto funeral home, but in the early 1990’s felt a deep calling to support families during their most vulnerable time. She obtained her Alberta Funeral Director Licence in 1997 and her Ontario Funeral Director Licence in 2007. With over 30 years of dedicated and compassionate service to families, Julia currently serves as a part time Funeral Director here at Chapel Ridge.

Christeen Seevaratnam

Licensed since 2023

Christeen is the first Tamil woman to be licensed as a Funeral Director in Canada. Christeen is deeply involved in the community, including having served on the boards of the Canadian Tamil Congress, Canadian Tamil Chamber of Commerce, the Tamil Catholic Community of Toronto, and her condominium board of directors. Some of the many events Christeen has chaired or organized include the Tamil Canadian walk-a-thon for Holland Bloorview Kids Hospital, the Midland Shrine Pilgrimage and International Women’s Day. Christeen is known for her passion in helping the vulnerable, those experiencing loss, and those in need.

Andy Tsang

Licensed since spring 2021

Andy was born and raised in Hong Kong, moving to Canada when he was in his early twenties. Andy is an extremely hardworking individual. He always tries to exceed the family’s expectations when it comes to our services. Andy is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese. He is very well known within his church groups and volunteers regularly. Andy has been a great addition to our team, and we appreciate his calm demeanor and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Henry Chui

Licensed since spring 2024

Henry grew up in Hong Kong, and since coming to Canada has worked in the bereavement sector for many years as a Funeral Director Assistant, Cemetery Salesperson, and recently decided to go through the educational and experience process to become a Licensed Funeral Director. Henry is known for his caring, respectful manner, his professionalism and his calm demeanour. Outside of work he enjoys singing and is involved in singing group activities and spending time with family.

Sarah Stephens

Licensed since spring 2023

Sarah has worked at Chapel Ridge since high school, as a Funeral Director Assistant, and in 2021 went to Humber College and in 2023 qualified as a Class 1 Licensed Funeral Director. Sarah was born in Toronto and grew up in Oshawa and Markham. She is known and respected for her hard work, professionalism and compassion. She finds profound joy in serving families during their most challenging times.

Roger Desjarlais

Licensed since 2017

Roger grew up in Alliston, Ontario and has been licensed since 2017. Outside of work Roger is into exercise and fitness in a big way.

Susan Booth

Licensed since 2000

Susan has been licensed since 2000, and has been with Chapel Ridge since 2010, specializing in pre-arrangement. Susan and her husband John have been married for over 30 years. She loves to travel, enjoys gardening, and reading.

Eric Tappenden

Janet Lim

Michael Wong

Alexander San Diego

Pauline Chan

Wan Ling (Nicole) Leung

Cherlita Bacolot

Berlinda Ha

Christine Chung

Ava Ha

Catalina Nicholas

Felisa Pulumbarit

Christina Wong

William Wong

Yuen Wah Angie Tse

Denise Chan

Cindy Luk

Simon Hor

Simmy Yuen

Paulyn Yao

Joel Marilla

Mimi Cheung

Peggy Leung

Heather Fong

Carmen Wong

Peter Liao

Jude Lo

Rolito Advincula

Isaac Hor

Kirti Mistry

Dr. Wayne Cunningham Martin

Selma Kathy-Ann Charles

Lakhbir Saggu

Shabana Kadir

Cristal Baker