History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

In 1897, Lawrenceville was a new, growing neighborhood. Otto J. Goetz, a barber, decided to try his hand at "undertaking". He converted his barbershop at 3509 Penn Ave. into an "undertaker's office", which later was converted into a funeral home as home funerals became a thing of the past.

In 1951, the practice was passed on to Anthony J. Sufak, who operated the funeral home until forming the Sufak-D'Alessandro Funeral Home Inc. with Daniel T. D'Alessandro in 1980.

In 1983, Sufak-D'Alessandro merged with the Gilbert McInnes Funeral Home (founded 1917) at 4522 Butler St., also in Lawrenceville.

In 2022, we were honored by the Pennsylvania Funeral Director's Association, and given a plaque celebrating our "125 Years Of Continuous Service To The Community".

Since we've touched on THREE CENTURIES of funeral service, we are very aware of what is expected of us professionally. After all, our motto is "Always A Higher Standard"! We proudly look forward to the future of modern Funeral Service, as we incorporate the Traditions, Values, and Ethics of the past!

                                                             Our Valued Staff

  • Dustin A. D'Alessandro

    Dustin A. D'Alessandro, Supervisor

    Dustin, a second-generation funeral director, began working with his father at a young age. From pulling weeds, cutting grass, and washing cars, he was often found at the funeral home doing whatever he could to help out. While a high-school student, Dustin was given the opportunity to go to the crash site of Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA, to help with the recovery efforts alongside his father, other funeral directors, coroners, medical examiners, police, and FBI. After graduating from Canevin Catholic High School in 2002, he was able to work full-time at the funeral home and began taking on new roles. While working full-time, he enrolled in the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he earned his degree in Funeral Service. Dustin lives in the North Hills with his wife, Nicki and their three boys: Domenic, Gianni and Luca. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his family and watching the kids play their sports.

  • Daniel T. D'Alessandro

    Daniel T. D'Alessandro, Funeral Director

  • Jean M. D'Alessandro

    Jean M. D'Alessandro

  • Lathon Kenyon

    Lathon Kenyon, Funeral Director

  • Sarah C. Balistreri

    Sarah C. Balistreri, Funeral Director, Embalmer

    Sarah joined the funeral home staff in 2023. She earned her Associate degree in Funeral Service from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and her Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science from Gannon University, passing both her national and Pennsylvania board examinations on her first attempt.From a young age, Sarah felt a calling to help others, which naturally led her to a career in funeral service. She began her work with a strong focus on embalming and restorative art, where her attention to detail and gentle approach help provide families with comfort and peace during difficult times. Over the years, she has expanded her role to guide families through every step of the funeral process, creating meaningful and personalized services that truly honor each life.Sarah believes that every family deserves compassion, patience, and understanding, and she takes great care in building genuine connections with those she serves.Originally from Buffalo, New York, Sarah now lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with her husband, their two cats, and their Jack Russell, Hope. In her free time, she enjoys attending live music events, traveling on cruises, and spending time camping.

  • Morgan H. Applegate

    Morgan H. Applegate, Funeral Director, Certified Celebrant

    Morgan joined the funeral home staff in 2024. She lives in the Brentwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh with her fiancé and their two cats, Rex and Obi. Morgan received her Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science and a Minor in Theology from Gannon University in Erie, PA where she received the Academic Award of Excellence in Mortuary Science. She is a 2024 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS). In her free time, you can find her with her nose stuck in a book or working on one of her many crafts.

  • James K. Murray

    James K. Murray, Funeral Director

  • Edward Eckenrode

    Edward Eckenrode, Funeral Director, Embalmer

  • Robert Straus

    Robert Straus, Funeral Assistant