Our Staff

Doneen S. Nikas
Licensed Funeral Director

From the time I was very young, I have wanted to become a funeral director.  But, when I graduated from high school, women did not participate in this profession.   So I went to Geneseo State University and became a Social Studies teacher.

All through my life, I always had in the back of my mind that being a funeral director was what I wanted to become.   In my late thirties, I decided to take the jump.  Signing up for Mortuary Science at Hudson Valley Community College was a dream come true.  Before I set foot on campus, I promised myself that I had nothing to prove and if I didn’t like it, I would quit.  Well, as you probably can assume, I loved it.  This profession is what I was born to do.

As a funeral director, I have the unique opportunity to help families when they are hurting, probably more than anytime in their lives.   To be there, guiding them through the grieving process is a way to give back

 I have enjoyed being part of Carleton Funeral Home, living in Hudson Falls and feel fortunate that my two sons grew up in a small town.

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Paul M. Dietrich
Licensed Funeral Director

Paul Dietrich was born on July 19, 1961 in Glens Falls, NY. He is a 1979 graduate of Hudson Falls Senior High School and a 1981 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College in troy, NY, where he received an AAS Degree in mortuary Science.

Growing up in a family dedicated to public service, Paul became very interested in fire service. In 1979, at the age of 18, he became a member of the Hudson Falls Volunteer Fire Department and has been an active member ever since. He has held every line officer position, and served for 11 years as the Chief of Department. Awarded twice for rescues (including the department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor), he continues to serve as an active member.

In 1977, Paul was offered a part time position at the Carleton Funeral Home taking care of the company vehicles. From there he began assisting with funeral services and the many aspects of funeral service and soon came to realize that he had found his calling. Following his graduation from Hudson Valley Community College, he served his one year residency with Carleton’s and then became a New York State Licensed Funeral Director. He has been serving the people of this area ever since. Following the retirement of C. Bruce Wetmore, manager of the funeral home, Paul became the manager of Carleton Funeral Home. He now serves as vice president of the funeral home and he and his partner Doneen Nikas, now continue the Carleton Funeral home tradition, providing hometown owned, caring service to those in need.

He is the Past President of the Adirondack Funeral Directors Association, Past Treasurer of the Washington County Chief’s and officer’s Association, President of the Moss street Cemetery Association, a member of MacBoston 18 Truck (A memorial dedicated to firefighters), a member of the Washington County Traffic Safety Board and currently serves as a member of the Board of trustees to the Hudson Valley Community College Mortuary Science program.

Paul resides in Hudson Falls in the family home on Feeder St., where he and his brothers and sisters grew up.

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Mark K. Parish
Licensed Funeral Director

Mark grew up in a small village Evans Mills, NY and graduated from Indian River Central School District in Philadelphia, NY.  After his graduation he attended SUNY Canton College of Technology where he received his Mortuary Science Degree in 1998.

Mark moved to Hudson Falls in the spring of 1998 and began his residency at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc.   After his residency, Mark moved to Red Creek, NY and worked for a small group of funeral homes. In the spring of 2003, Mark was asked to come back to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. as a full time funeral director.  A month later he and his pregnant wife packed up and moved back to Hudson Falls.

Mark is married to his high school sweetheart, Sommer. They live in Hudson Falls and have 5 children, Jonathan, Matthew, Emily, Lillyanne and Rebecca.

He is an active member of  New Life Baptist Church in Hudson Falls, serving as an usher, soundman and Junior Church Leader.  He also serves as a Trustee and on the pulpit committee. Mark enjoys helping others, tinkering and playing with any new technology.

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Gary Wilson
Licensed Funeral Director (Retired)

My family has been involved with Carleton Funeral Home, since the late 1800s. With a great grandfather, grandfather, father and two uncles, working at the funeral home, it would appear, that I was destined for funeral service.  After graduation from St. Lawrence University, in 1971, I had no intention of working at the funeral home.

Because of illness and a death in my family, I decided to help out until things smoothed out. It was then that I realized what a needed and appreciated profession it is. 40 years later, I am still proud to be a licensed funeral director and to know that I guided many families through the most difficult times in their lives.

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Terry M. Comeau 
Licensed Funeral Director

Terry has been employed at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., since the summer of 1996.  He and his wife, Janice live in the City of Glens Falls.  Terry is a graduate of Hudson Valley Community College.