Staff
Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
Tom is a seasoned professional in the field of funeral service, having dedicated nearly four decades to supporting families during their most challenging times. Tom is married to Deborah "Deb" LaBerge, the daughter of Fred G. Jr. and Dorothy L. Ward. Tom has been an integral part of the funeral service community, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those he has served.
A proud graduate of Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, NH, Tom continued his education at New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences at Mt. Ida College. There, he not only excelled academically but also earned the prestigious Founder's Award for his outstanding achievements in academics and humanitarianism. This recognition speaks volumes about Tom's dedication to not only his professional growth but also his commitment to serving others with compassion and empathy.
Tom's comprehensive understanding of all facets of funeral service positions him as a trusted guide for families navigating through their options. As the managing director of J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel, he ensures that the staff under his guidance provides compassionate, professional, and meticulous services to those in need.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Tom is a family man at heart. Alongside his wife Deb, they are proud parents to two children and grandparents to three grandchildren. Their shared residence in the Greater Seacoast Area reflects their commitment to the local community.
In their precious spare moments, Tom and Deb find solace in exploring the scenic back roads of the beautiful state of New Hampshire. This shared passion not only underscores their love for adventure but also reinforces their appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds them.
Tom's enduring legacy in the funeral service profession is defined by his unwavering commitment to excellence, compassion, and service. His story is not just one of professional success but also a testament to the importance of family, community, and a life well-lived.
Tom holds licenses in both New Hampshire and Maine
Debbie was raised in Portsmouth and is a graduate of Portsmouth High School, Class of 1983. She is the daughter of the late Fred G. Jr. and Dorothy L. Ward. After graduating from high school she started working at the funeral home. As assistant manager, Debbie has a central part in daily operations and usually has the first contact with families we serve. Debbie married Tom LaBerge in 1983; they have two children and three grandchildren.
In Deb’s free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, going camping and doing puzzles.
Darryl is a life-long resident of the seacoast area. He is a graduate of Portsmouth High School, Class of 1981 and more recently, a graduate of Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services, Class of 2022. Darryl started working at J. Verne Wood in 2017 and as an intrical member of the funeral home team he will continue to serve families with personal and compassionate care. Darryl is married to Kimberly (Kent) Frank, also of Portsmouth and they have two children.
Chris joined our team in June 2023. He is native of Lowell, MA and a third-generation Licensed Funeral Director from a well-known funeral directing family. Chris comes with over 30 years’ experience in the funeral industry, beginning in his childhood years growing up in his father’s funeral home. He began his education at the New England Institute of Funeral Service at Mt. Ida College in Newton, MA; and he completed his associate degree in Funeral Service with the American Academy McAllister Funeral Institute in New York City. Chris takes great pride in assisting families in their greatest time of need, and his attention to detail assures families their loved one will be honored with compassion, dignity, and respect. Chris is happily married to his childhood sweetheart, Stephanie, and later in their marriage, they had a daughter in 2017 and a son in 2019. As owners of a classic 1966 Cadillac, they can be seen (as a family) attending various cruise-nights, car shows, events and parades throughout New England in-season. Chris loves anything outdoors, especially the beach, and frequents the family trailer on the Maine coast. Chris is licensed in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.
Michael B. Le Vasseur a 15 year resident of Kennebunk, grew up in the small town of Grand Isle situated in the St. John Valley in northern, Maine. A 1982 graduate of Van Buren High School, he then pursued his undergraduate studies at St. Anselm College and received his bachelor's degree in 1986. He received his Mortuary Science Degree from Mt. Ida College in 1995. Two years ago, Michael retired from full time service as a funeral director and remains active in the profession. Michael enjoys assisting the team at J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel as they proudly serve the families of the Greater Portsmouth area.
James (Jim) Fortin grew up in the small town of Windsor, a little town outside the capital of Hartford, Connecticut. A bi-centennial year graduate of Windsor High School, he then earned a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from St. Anselm College in 1980. Jim pursued a career in carpentry. In 1987, Jim married his lovely wife Anne, and they moved to the Greater Seacoast area of New Hampshire where they raised three children Jim and Anne have lived in Dover, NH for over twenty years, albeit recently taking a two-year break in the Charleston, South Carolina area, but returning to Dover for family reasons. Over the years, Anne and Jim have rescued hundreds of dogs finding them wonderful forever homes. Jim has worked as part-time assistant/ attendant in the funeral home business for several years. He recently joined the team at the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel on a full-time basis and is honored to serve the families of the Seacoast Area.
A native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Mary Carey is a retired Portsmouth High School English teacher who also works as Concierge at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel in New Castle. Her mother, Eileen Dondero Foley, and her grandmother, Mary Carey Dondero, both served as Portsmouth mayors.
Mary Carey is happy here at J. Verne Wood Funeral Home and loves to provide warm smiles and comforting hugs to our guests.
Originally from Massachusetts, Karyn attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Biology. She began her career working in the environmental science field followed by many years in the biopharm industry. Ready for a change in direction, Karyn joined our team in May of 2024 as a funeral attendant, assisting the team and families however needed.
Karyn has been a resident of the Seacoast since college and currently lives in Portsmouth with her husband Bill and their dog Sammy Davis.
Carly has roots in the North Shore of Massachusetts, where she was born, the Lakes Region, where she attended high school and Boston, where she attended Boston University. She has experience in a variety of fields of study and work, including painting, video production, background acting, and real estate. Providing care for her grandmother in the final year of her life, Carly felt called to help families in their time of need and is grateful to have the opportunity to do so at J Verne Wood Funeral home.
Rev. Linda Hirst is an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ and has served churches in southern Maine and NH. She enjoys helping families provide a service that both honors their loved ones and offers comfort to family and friends. Linda offers traditional religious services as well as services for those who aren’t particularly religious but would like prayers as their loved ones are laid to rest. She and her husband, Rev. Brad Hirst (pastor of Second Christian Church in Kittery) live in Kittery with their dog, Lola.
Carol has been assisting families to prepare funeral services for their loved ones for over 30 years, the last 20 of which, she has been the Pastoral Minister at Corpus Christi Parish in Portsmouth NH. It has always been an honor and a privilege for her to assist families in creating a service that is truly reflective of the life and legacy of their loved one. Carol has officiated at Catholic, Christian, Interfaith, and non-religious funeral services.
Rick LaBerge is a life-long resident of the seacoast area and is the brother of Tom. He is a graduate of PHS class of 1968, USCG 1969-1973, and electrical and logic electronics technical schools. After over 40 years in the telecommunication industry, he retired and served as a wedding photographer in the Seacoast area for 25 years. His hobbies include digital photography, golf, and skiing.
