Our Staff

LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTORS

All of our licensed directors adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field.  We are proud to have them on our staff.

Robert C. McGirr,  Owner and Manager

A lifelong Monmouth County resident, Bob received his B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Tampa in 1974 and graduated from the American McAllister Institute, NYC,  with a mortuary degree in 1976. He purchased C.H.T. Clayton & Son Funeral Home from the Clayton family in 1978.  Mr. McGirr built a new state of the art facility which opened in 2005 as Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, and moved the business to its current location. He has committed himself to a lifetime of community service within Freehold Township and Monmouth County.

A former Freehold Township Committeeman who served as Deputy Mayor in 2010,  Bob also served as the Chairman of the Planning Board from 1998 to 2009, a member of the Freehold Township Board of Adjustment, Chairman of the Foundation Board at CentraState Medical Center and as President of The Sunrise Optimist Club, where he continues to be a member.  His past community involvement also includes being a member of the  CentraState Healthcare System Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Western Monmouth YMCA Board of Directors,  member of the Western Monmouth YMCA Board of Trustees, President and coach for the North Howell Little League, a  Board member of The Norkus Charitable Foundation, and a member of Collier Services Foundation Board of Trustees.  

To date, Bob continues to serve as a Trustee of the CentraState Healthcare System Foundation Board and as a board member of Manasquan River Golf Club, Brielle. 

Mr. McGirr has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Western Monmouth YMCA in 1989, the Circle of Excellence Award for Community Service from the Western Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce in 1996, and the Good Scout Award from The Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts in 2005.  He has also been recognized as a Guest of Honor at the CentraState Healthcare System Auxiliary Annual Charity Ball in 2009, as an Honoree at the Collier Youth Services Annual Gala 2015 and as CentraState Healthcare Foundation’s Community Partner in 2024.

In 2023 the County of Monmouth honored Bob when the Elton-Adelphia Road bridge was dedicated as the Robert C. McGirr Bridge. 

Bob is a member of the Monmouth and Ocean County Funeral Directors Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.  He is a parishioner of the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, and a member of Eagle Oaks, Farmingdale, NJ and The Loxahatchee Golf Club, Jupiter, FL. 

Craig W. Morcom, Funeral Director

Craig was born and raised in Neptune City.  He received his B.S. in Business Management in 1998 from the E. Craig Wall School of Business at Coastal Carolina University.  Craig completed his education from American Academy McAllister Institute, NYC in their Mortuary Degree Program and an internship for the State of New Jersey in 1999.  He has worked for Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home since 1989.  Craig is a member of the Monmouth and Ocean County Funeral Directors Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.  He also serves on the Land Use Board for the Borough of Neptune City.  Craig and his wife Julia reside in his childhood home in Neptune City, and are parents to two children. 

Murry J. Conway, Jr. ,  Funeral Director

Murry was born and raised in Point Pleasant.  He graduated from Georgian Court College in 2000, now Georgian Court University. He taught Religion at Trenton Catholic Academy in Hamilton, and Red Bank Catholic HS.  Murry attended Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, where he pursued Masters degrees in Divinity and Theology until he left the seminary to join Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home in 2009. He attended Mercer County Community College to obtain his Certificate in Mortuary Science and obtained his Funeral Directors license.  Murry is a Eucharistic Minister and a certified Funeral Celebrant.  His spirituality and reverence are highly valued to those in mourning. Murry is also past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council St. Thomas the Apostle #4815 and Color Corps Commander for St. Thomas the Apostle Assembly #1619. He and his wife Betsey reside in Milltown and are parents to two young boys.

Kaitlyn H. Schaeffer, Funeral Director

Kaitlyn was born and raised in Jackson.  She joined the staff at Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home in 2012.  Prior to her decision to pursue a career as a Funeral Director, Kaitlyn worked in the Emergency Department at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township. Her compassion as a caretaker is a trait she brings to her work on a daily basis.  She graduated from Mercer County Community College with both an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science and a Certificate of Proficiency in Funeral Service.  She is currently a member of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association as well as a member of the Executive Board of the Miller Group Home.  Kaitlyn and her husband Sean live in downtown Freehold and are proud parents of twin girls, Claire and Kennedy. 

Florence M. Bergeron, Funeral Director

Florence was born in Long Branch and raised in Ocean Township. She graduated from Ocean Township High School in 2012, Brookdale Community College in 2016, and American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in August of 2019. Florence operated in the retail business at Lord & Taylor prior to making her decision to attend Mortuary Science Education. She joined us in 2019 and received her New Jersey Funeral Director’s license in 2021.

Vincent A. Belfiore, Funeral Director

Vincent was born and raised in Ocean Township. He graduated from Ocean Township High School in 2004 and then from Brookdale Community College earning his A.A. Degree as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society. Prior to his decision to pursue a career as a Funeral Director, Vincent held management positions within the movie theater industry for 15 years, ultimately leaving the industry as an Operations Manager.  He joined the staff at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home in 2019 and was licensed in March of 2022.  He and his wife, Ashley, currently reside in Jackson with their daughter, Lydia.

SUPPORT STAFF*

Typically not seen during the funeral, their presence behind the scenes is nonetheless critical to the day-to-day operation of our facilities.  Our support staff plays an important role in ensuring our high standard of service.  We are proud of their dedication and commitment.

Lisa Avallone Murphy, Executive Assistant / Bookkeeper

Lisa grew up in Freehold Township, and graduated from Freehold Township High School in 1985.  After working in a law firm and in the building industry, Lisa joined the staff at Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home in 2011.  She is uniquely qualified for her position as she is often the first face seen when entering the funeral home, and one of the most recognizable.  This can be attributed to her deep involvement in the community, and a lifelong fixture on the public scene with her mother who served as a committee person in Freehold Township for twenty-five years. Everyone finds great comfort in the level of personal service she provides. Her most recent project has been the addition of Ensley, our therapy dog  as she has assumed responsibility as his handler.  Lisa is a Notary Public, a member of the Freehold Township High School Community Partners and Miller Group Home Executive Boards, and a parishioner at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine.  She and her husband Chris live in Howell with their two sons, Jackson and Griffin.

Patrick Lavin, Funeral Assistant

Pat is a resident of Farmingdale. He is a retired police officer from Elizabeth, NJ where he served on the force from 1973 until 2005.  Pat is a lector at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church for 38 years, and Past President and active member of the Howell Lions Club since 2007.  He is an avid golfer and biker, and a member of the Union County Police & Fire Pipe & Drum Band since 2001.  Pat was a welcome addition to the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home in 2011.

Henry J. Cugini, Funeral Assistant

Henry J. Cugini is a resident of Freehold Township for almost 30 years. He is married and blessed with 4 children and 3 grandchildren. Henry retired after 43 years of service at The Bank of New York Mellon where he was a Managing Director. Henry is also an ordained Deacon in the Diocese of Trenton serving at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold Township.

Michael Moore, Funeral Assistant

A lifelong resident of Howell Township, Michael graduated from Freehold Township High School.  He completed coursework and professional training at the Monmouth County Police Academy and Ocean County Police Academy, as well as Brookdale Community College and Thomas Edison State College.  He is a life member of the Farmingdale-Howell First Aid Squad, having risen to the offices of Captain and President for the organization. His service includes more than thirty years of experience as an Emergency Medical Technician. Michael served the County of Monmouth as a Detention Officer, and the Borough of Belmar as a Special Police Officer, prior to joining the Howell Township Police Department as a patrolman. After 25 years of dedicated service and achieving the rank of Corporal, he retired from the department in 2024 and joined the staff of Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home.  Michael currently resides in Jackson Township with his wife and family.  

Alycia R. Gibbons, Support Staff

Alycia was born and raised in Jackson. She earned her Associate Degree in Business Administration from Ocean County College in 2010. In 2012 she went to trade school to earn her Cardiology Technician Certificate. After working in the pharmaceutical event planning industry, Alycia decided to bring her customer service skills to the funeral home in 2021. She and her husband Mike, live in Howell with their two young children.

Athena Kyriakoulis, Support Staff

Athena is a lifelong resident of Jackson.  A graduate of Donovan Catholic High School Class of 2020, she is currently attending Monmouth University where she is majoring in Business with a Concentration in Real Estate.  Athena plans to attend mortuary school after graduating from Monmouth in 2025.  She lives at home with her parents and brother.  

Jennifer Orlowsky, Support Staff

A lifelong Berkeley Township resident, Jennifer attended Central Regional High School before graduating Summa Cum Laude from Rider University with her B.A. in Secondary Education and English.  A full-time teacher, she has been an educator for over a decade.  Jennifer currently teaches English, journalism, and sports journalism at Robbinsville High School and enjoys putting the nurturing and compassionate nature she employs as a secondary educator to use at Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home.  

Cassandra Abel, Support Staff

Cassandra was born and raised in Ocean County and graduated from Montclair State University with a BFA in 2006. After a successful career as a professional dancer for over 10 years, she became a licensed massage therapist in 2014 and has been focused on using massage to help those grieving and dealing with physical stress from loss. Cassandra is a certified end of life companion and holds additional certifications in hospice and oncology massage. She is currently attending Mercer County Community College to embark on a career as a funeral director. Cassandra is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts. She currently resides in Freehold Borough with her husband, Kurt and four children, Patrick, Jane, Evelyn and Declan.

Liam McGoohan, Support Staff

Liam is a lifelong resident of Jackson where he lives with his parents and siblings. He graduated from Hawkswood School in 2014.  Liam currently takes weekly art classes where he continues to improve his craft of painting.  He mostly enjoys painting album covers as he has a passion for music.  Liam enjoys listening to everything from Doowop to modern music. Liam loves creating playlists for himself and his loved ones.  He is a 3rd Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus Rev. Mitchell J. Cetkowski Council #6201, Jackson.  Liam is loving and compassionate and brings a feeling of calm and peace wherever he goes.

Amy J. Gudaitis, Support Staff

Amy was born and raised in Edison.  She graduated from Edison High School in 1987 and currently lives in Freehold Township. Amy worked as a teacher’s assistant at Farmingdale Elementary School, where she honed the understanding nature and interpersonal skills that make her an asset to the Clayton & McGirr family.  She is the proud mother of two boys, Edward and Christopher.  Amy enjoys going to the beach, attending concerts, and watching her sons’ baseball games.

Ensley T.  McGirr,  Therapy Dog 

Ensley is a Miniature Australian Labradoodle, and is named after C. Ensley Clayton, the former owner of C.H.T. Clayton & Son Funeral Home, the precursor to Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home. Ensley is a Certified Therapy Dog through The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs Inc. Ensley was brought on board in 2017. Since then, he has proven his value by making countless friends among the families we serve. He provides a calm, loving presence to those in grief. You can follow him on Instagram   @ensleyt.mcgirr.

*STAFF MEMBERS LISTED AS SUPPORT STAFF are unlicensed and not qualified to make funeral arrangements, embalm or conduct funerals.

W. Arthur Sznyter, Funeral Director Emeritus

A third generation funeral director licensed since 1965,  Arthur has dual licensure in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He joined Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home in 1988, after having worked with funeral homes in Scranton, PA, Trenton, and East Brunswick. Art is a Vietnam War veteran, and finished his military career in the New Jersey National Guard. He served as the Keyport Borough President and Finance Chairman, and is a former President of the Keyport Chamber of Commerce. Art served as President of Monmouth and Ocean Funeral Directors Association from 2006 - 2008, and is also a member of the New Jersey and National Funeral Directors Associations. He and his wife, Mary, reside in Freehold Township, and have two daughters and one son. 

In Memoriam 

Kenneth M. Finn

March 6, 1937 - July 7, 2018

Mr. Finn was born in New York, raised in Ireland and returned to the USA at the age of twenty one. He moved to New Jersey in 1973 and raised his family in Freehold Township.  He was a member of the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine  where he was an usher for thirty years, and a Eucharistic minister for many years at both the church and CentraState Medical Center.  In his earlier days, Ken was a world class soccer player, including playing for the U.S. World Cup team for three years.  He passed along his experience by serving as a coach or boys and girls soccer in Freehold Rec and travel teams for many years. He worked with us from 2001 until his passing in 2018.  Ken will be forever missed by the Clayton & McGirr family.