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David Lee Hernandez Jr Founder, Principal
David Lee Hernandez, Jr, a native of Northeast Philadelphia, after graduating high school from Calvary Christian Academy in Philadelphia, he relocated to Morganville, where he began his career as a mortuary science apprentice. David continued his studies where he earned an Associates of Science Degree and a Certificate of Proficiency in Funeral Services. He became a licensed funeral director in May of 2004, and later continued his education in Legal Studies at St. John’s University, New York.
He acquired his first funeral home in 2009 and has grown to operate Jersey’s largest family owned funeral home company, known as “Jersey Memorial Group”. His holdings include funeral homes and cemeteries in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Additionally, he also publishes a newspaper, “All Around Old Bridge” and is active in venture capital investments through 29029 Ventures, which focuses on emerging products and services impacting the mind, body and soul of local communities.
David is active in each community the funeral homes serve; he is Charter Member and past President of the Kiwanis Club of Manalapan, member of Old Bridge Kiwanis Club, member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh in Belmar, trustee and board member of the Old Bridge- Sayreville- South Amboy Chamber of Commerce, board member of Pennsauken-Merchantville Area Chamber. He was recently elected to the foundation board of the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy as the Vice Chair and Chair of Governance, as well as is a business leader in the Old Bridge Business Alliance. He has served as an officer in Middlesex Somerset Funeral Directors Association and is also a member of NJ State Funeral Directors Association, and National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). His firms are nine-time NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Winners and was recently awarded the Best of the Best Award from NFDA as the top funeral home operator in the Country. He has been named Business Leader of the Year in 2016 by Kiwanis Club of Old Bridge as well as in 2017 by the Chamber of Commerce. Most recently he was recognized in 2018 with NJ Biz 40 under 40 as a young leader in business, and in 2019 by the Greater Monmouth YMCA as their Citizen of the Year. He has also been a guest speaker at NYU Schack School of Real Estate and Alan Creedy's Blue Ocean Tours. David, his family and team have been featured in Funeral Business Advisor and American Funeral Director Magazines.
He and his family attend Calvary Chapel Old Bridge and they volunteer in various ministry opportunities. A licensed funeral Director in New Jersey, he also holds funeral director and embalmers licenses in Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well as a Life Insurance Producers License. David enjoys spending time with his wife, Stacey and their three children, Sophia, David Lee III, and Abigail. He also enjoys competitive fitness, OCR, snowboarding, and golf. -
James Brogan Licensee in Charge
James began his career in the funeral business in 2002 he graduated from WVSU Then from Mid-America College of funeral service where he graduated with honors James holds a funeral director and embalmer license in West Virginia South Carolina Kentucky and Indiana. When I ask why he chose a career in the funeral industry he replied I knew what I wanted to do since I was a child to help others at the worst time of their lives. It truly was my calling. when a family walks through the doors at the funeral home no doubt it is the worst time of their lives. When meeting with a family and the tears are flowing and you can take the tears and turn them into happy tears it makes you feel like you have done half of what you are meant to do. When a family comes to you after the funeral and says I could not have done this without you have been a blessing to my family and I then you know you have completed what you were meant to do. It’s the greatest feeling in the world. In James spare Time you can find him spending Time with his daughter Cassie or on a beach or with his four-legged companion Mia.
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Valerie Hutchison Office Manager
Valerie Hutchison began her career in the death care industry with Roselawn Memorial Gardens in 1993 in the administration department. Several years later she was promoted to the position of Office Manager and then General Manager. She managed two locations over a period of ten years. During that time plans were made to expand to a combination location. In 2008 the location changed to Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in combination with Monte Vista Park Cemetery. She then returned to the Office Management position and is currently the Location Manager for the Administration Department.
Valerie is active with church activities as well as the Quilts of Valor. She also enjoys playing the piano, the guitar, sewing, crocheting and woodworking. Valerie is married Clyde, also known as "Hutch", and has two sons -Aaron and Jordan. They enjoy golfing together as a family where "mom" has the distinction of being the "designated putter". -
John Hughes Family Service Counselor
John Hughes joined the Roselawn family in December and is presently working in our sales department. He enjoys his career and the individuals he works with. He feels that Deb and Niki have helped him a great deal and is always by his side helping him develop his skill set. He is truly grateful for his employers and can not say enough positive things about them. He is a stay at home or work kind of gentleman. When John isn’t at Roselawn he loves being at home especially when his wife has his two granddaughters. They light up his life with love, being able to play games with them is what he looks forward to. Harper is almost three years old and loves to grab his hand and dance with him. Then there is Everly whom turned one in October. When she sees him she says, “Paw-Paw” and comes running into his arms. John loves his family and enjoys his job very much.
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Brittnay Nunn Administrative Assistant
Brittany Nunn joined our administration team in July of 2019. Although she primarily has a background on the hospital side of this business, she is very enthused about learning everything she can to better help our families in their time of need.
Brittany married her husband, Corey Nunn, and they have a beautiful daughter Emma. The whole family is very involved with the church they attend, Bluefield First Church of the Nazarene. Brittany and Corey lead worship every Sunday morning with the occasional help from Emma. Brittany leads a womens bible study group Thursday night. In her spare time after work and church Brittany likes to day dream about outrageous vacations to Disney World. -
Carolyn Buchanan Administration
Carolyn Buchanan works in Administration for Roselawn Funeral Home and Cemetery in Princeton, WV. She had previously worked for Roselawn from 2007-2012, left for a few years and is now back.
She is marred to a wonderful man for 31 plus years, have two daughters and three beautiful grandchildren. Her hobbies are camping, boating, fishing, motorcycle riding as well as traveling – outdoor stuff. She also regularly goes to the gym and enjoys dancing. -
Pastor Jim Kestner Funeral Associate
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Tanner Kestner Funeral Associate
