Our Excellent Staff

Since 1946 we have been blessed to find and develop staff members of the highest character and dedication to their profession.

Whether you’re dealing with our licensed funeral directors or support staff members, we believe in making you feel comfortable, cared for and confident in our ability to serve you. We’re proud of the continuing service and commitment our staff provides our Client families each and every day.

Licensed Funeral Directors

Richard P. Harris, President/CEO and Licensed Funeral Director
Phone: (585) 544-2041
Email: richardpharris@harrisfuneralhome.com

Richard P. Harris – a resident of Webster – is a 1969 graduate of Franklin High School, a graduate of SUNY Farmingdale, and a NYS Licensed Funeral Director since 1972. He is a member of the Irondequoit Rotary and Knights of Columbus, volunteers at St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church functions, and is a parishioner of Christ the King Church. Mr. Harris is married to his sweetheart, Billie Harris. They have two sons, Michael A. and Richard F., as well as 5 grandchildren, Emily, Michael, Hudson, Holden and Hayden. 

Mike Harris, Licensed Funeral Director, Operations Manager
Phone: (585) 544-2041
Email: mikeharris@harrisfuneralhome.com

Mike Harris is a graduate of Irondequoit High School and and a proud third-generation funeral director. He earned his New York State Funeral Director's License in 1994, going on to serve as Licensed Manager of the funeral home for over two decades. It was through this work — and the deeply personal loss of his beloved dogs, rottweilers, Hannah and Luke in 2008 — that Mike recognized a gap in compassionate, professional end-of-life care for pets. That insight inspired him to create Pets at Peace, a pioneering pet funeral home and crematory that quickly became a model for the industry.

In 2011, encouraged by the success of his business model, Mike founded Pet Passages with a vision to bring dignified pet cremation services to families across the country. The journey, however, was not without its challenges. In 2015, Mike's first wife, Mindy, passed away from pancreatic cancer. With Pet Passages temporarily on hold, Mike devoted himself to what mattered most — supporting his two children, Emily and Michael, through their grief while navigating his own.

It was during this season of life that Mike was introduced to Andrea Dunadee Harris, who would become not only his wife but his partner in business. Andrea has since joined Pet Passages as Vice President. She has one son, Ben, who is married to Tori.

Today, Pet Passages has grown to over 20 franchise locations across 14 states, earning its place as the largest independently owned and operated pet funeral and cremation provider in the United States. While Pets at Peace is now under new ownership and is no longer affiliated with the funeral home, Pet Passages continues to carry forward that original mission — helping families navigate the loss of their beloved pets with dignity and compassion.

Mike has also rejoined the funeral home as Operations Manager while continuing to lead Pet Passages as CEO. His daughter Emily has followed proudly in the family tradition as a fourth-generation funeral professional, joining the funeral home as a full-time team member with aspirations of earning her own Funeral Director's License.

Outside of work, Mike and Andrea are active members of Koinonia Fellowship and cherish time with their blended family. Whether they are out on the water, on the golf course, planning a family trip, or simply enjoying the company of their two Akitas, Marco and Macee — and their three grand-dogs, Bentley, Beans, and Hope — family remains at the heart of everything Mike does.

Scott Schmitt, Licensed Funeral Director
Phone: (585) 544-2041
Email: scott@harrisfuneralhome.com

Raised in Farley, Iowa, Scott is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Class of 2013, where he met his wife, Meghan. In 2016, they settled in Irondequoit, which they are proud to call home. A parishioner of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Scott enjoys spending time outdoors and taking family getaways.

Meghan Schmitt, Licensed Funeral Director
Phone: (585) 544-2041
Email: meghan@harrisfuneralhome.com

Meghan was raised in Brighton and is a graduate of Niagara University (2008) and Worsham College of Mortuary Science (2013). While attending Worsham, she met her husband, Scott, and together they made their home in Irondequoit in 2016. A parishioner of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Meghan considers it a true privilege to serve the families and community in which she lives.

Support Staff

Emily Harris, Receptionist and Funeral Service Assistant
Phone: (585) 544-2041
Email: emilyharris@harrisfuneralhome.com

Driven by a deep commitment to her family’s legacy of service, Emily Harris is dedicated to supporting families through their most difficult times. A lifelong Webster resident and 2025 St. John Fisher University graduate, she blends professional expertise with a natural compassion for those in need. For Emily, her work is a calling—one only matched by her love for the friends and family who have always been her greatest source of inspiration.

David Failing, Funeral Service Assistant & Greeter

Dave lives in Irondequoit. He graduated from West Irondequoit High School and retired from Dupont, with 39 years service. He is married to Tracy, has two sons, a daughter and 3 grandchildren. His passions are hockey, detailing automobiles, sports car racing, slot car racing and spending quality time with his family.

Jaroslaw "Jerry" Gluszko, Funeral Service Assistant & Greeter                     

Jerry grew up in Irondequoit and attended Eastridge High School, MCC and RIT. He is married and has two children and one grandson. In 2018, Jerry retired from The Aquinas Institute as Director of Facilities. Jerry is a lifetime volunteer and active member of the Rochester Ukrainian Community. He and his wife are parishioners of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Epiphany. In his retirement Jerry is still active in many Ukrainian activities and volunteers his time at the Ukrainian American Youth Camp.

Sherry Ettaro, Greeter

Sherry grew up in Webster and still resides there today.  She has 1 daughter and 1 son.  Sherry retired from ESL Federal Credit Union as Branch Manager after 41 years in banking.  She enjoys traveling, camping, gardening, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family and friends. 

Pastor James Grobe, Funeral Service Assistant, Minister & Greeter                                                                           

James grew up in Tonawanda, NY. He attended Concordia Junior College in Ann Arbor, Michigan and received his Master of Divinity at Concordia Theological Seminary. He served in the parish ministry for numerous years before serving 22 years as Chaplain at the Highland’s two nursing home campuses in the Rochester area. He currently lives in Henrietta.  Three boys and three grandchildren make him proud. He enjoys traveling to see his family along with summer time adventures at his camp in the southern tier.

William Drew, Funeral Service Assistant & Greeter

A resident of Irondequoit, Bill is a 1967 graduate of Edison Technical Institute and holds an A.A.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from R.I.T. Having worked for Kodak for 35 years, Bill has been working with in funeral service for 20 plus years, is married to Maureen, and has two children. Mr. Drew is a parishioner of St. Cecilia’s Church and enjoys classic cars, motorcycles, and travel in his free time.

Joe Kwiatkowski, Funeral Service Assistant & Greeter

Joe was raised and currently lives in Irondequoit.  He worked for thirty years as a system engineer at Kodak, and eight years as Project Manager at Alstom. Joe has two sons one of whom is a bagpiper. Joe is passionate about giving back and volunteers for many organizations especially Compeer. Joe believes in spirituality and a higher power and his mantra is kindness. He is an active person involved in pickleball, golfing , bowling, cooking and gardening. Joe is a daily gym goer and worked previously as a part time personal trainer.