Meet Our Staff

Frank A. Forastiere

President, Funeral Director

Frank was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. From his earliest childhood memories, Frank aspired to be a funeral director and follow in the footsteps of his father, Anthony J. Forastiere (1911-1999), and his grandfather, Frank M. Forastiere (1879-1952). After earning his Bachelor’s Degree at American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts and an Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service from the New England Institute of Anatomy and Funeral Directing, Boston, Massachusetts in 1969, Frank formally joined the family business. At the top of Frank’s list of goals is that every family must be served at a superior level so that their funeral experience contributes to the honor and fine memory of the deceased. “We have a very small window of opportunity to serve a family and to do so flawlessly; there are no second chances.”

Frank is the father of four daughters, two of whom are involved in funeral service along with two of his sons-in-law. Frank is a member of many local and national service and fraternal organizations as well as the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association; he served as its president in 1999-2000.

Email: wecare@forastierefuneralhome.com

JoAnn Forastiere Skiba

Funeral Director

JoAnn began her second Career as a funeral director in 1998. She earned her degree in Mortuary Science from Briarwood College, graduating with Highest Honors, and was named to the President’s List. Previously, she earned her B.A. Degree from American International College, Springfield and her M.A. Degree in Education of the Hearing-Impaired from Gallaudet University, Washington, DC. She taught at the Maryland and the American Schools for the Deaf. In addition, before her children entered school full time, she worked as a freelance sign language interpreter.

Always being involved in nurturing and caring fields, the transition to becoming a funeral director seemed quite natural to her. JoAnn spent her first 13 years as a funeral director helping families pre-plan their funerals and was the Manager of the Funeral Preplanning department. In 2011, looking for a new challenge and wanting to carry families through the entire process from arrangements to completion of the funeral, JoAnn started working with families at the time of a loved one’s death. “I love meeting families and helping them plan and carry out ceremonies that reflect the unique life we are honoring and are meaningful to survivors. I feel blessed to have this opportunity to help others during one of the most difficult times in their life.”

JoAnn and her husband Scott are the proud parents of three sons. She is a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Hand Bell Choir and the National Funeral Directors Association.

Email: wecare@forastierefuneralhome.com

Michael Gadziala

Funeral Director

Michael was raised in Ware, Massachusetts and attended Holyoke Community College. It was during this time that he found an interest in the funeral profession and worked for area funeral homes part-time. In 1975, Michael moved to Boston and has been involved in funeral work on a full-time basis ever since. Michael was a 1978 Honors Graduate of the former New England Institute, Kenmore Square in Boston. He is a licensed funeral director in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Michael worked for 20 years in Connecticut before joining the Forastiere Family in March 2004. “Coming back to the Springfield area is very meaningful to me as I spent so much of my youth in this area. Serving families has always been very rewarding. Creating a personal service which will enshrine the memory of a loved one is of the utmost importance to me.”

Michael lives in Connecticut with his wife, Marianne, and daughter, Angelina. His pastimes include spending time with his family, and exploring , photographing, and hiking all  over Western Massachusetts.

Emily A. Galus

Funeral Director

Emily was born and raised in North Adams, Massachusetts and graduated from Drury High School. She then attended Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York, where she obtained her A.A.S. in Mortuary Science. Relocating to the Springfield area in 2008, she began working in funeral service. She currently lives in West Springfield with her husband, Chris, and their black Lab, Harley.

An active member of the American Legion Post 207 Auxiliary, Emily also enjoys music, fishing, the Big E, and spending time with her family.

“Being able to assist people through the process of planning a meaningful representation of their loved one’s life is the most rewarding experience for me. I am truly honored to be able to do this for the families we serve.”

Email: wecare@forastierefuneralhome.com