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.

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Thomas LaBerge Funeral Director/Operations Manager

Tom was born and raised in Portsmouth and is a graduate of Portsmouth High School, Class of 1983. Tom is married to Deborah “Deb” LaBerge, the daughter of Fred G. Jr and Dorothy L. Ward. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Tom has served families at J. Verne Wood for nearly four decades. As operations manager, with his extensive experience and intimate knowledge of both the funeral home and the surrounding communities, he provides thoughtful and detailed services to families with empathy and compassion. Tom holds licenses in both New Hampshire and Maine.

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Deborah (Ward) LaBerge Assistant Manager

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.

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Darryl Frank Funeral Director & Embalmer

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.

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James Fortin Funeral Director Assistant/Admin

Bio will be forthcoming

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Mary Carey Foley Visitation Coordinator

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.

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Richard LaBerge Funeral Attendant Emeritus

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.

Thomas LaBerge

Funeral Director/Operations Manager
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Tom was born and raised in Portsmouth and is a graduate of Portsmouth High School, Class of 1983. Tom is married to Deborah “Deb” LaBerge, the daughter of Fred G. Jr and Dorothy L. Ward. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Tom has served families at J. Verne Wood for nearly four decades. As operations manager, with his extensive experience and intimate knowledge of both the funeral home and the surrounding communities, he provides thoughtful and detailed services to families with empathy and compassion. Tom holds licenses in both New Hampshire and Maine.

Deborah (Ward) LaBerge

Assistant Manager
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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.

Darryl Frank

Funeral Director & Embalmer
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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.

James Fortin

Funeral Director Assistant/Admin
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Bio will be forthcoming

Mary Carey Foley

Visitation Coordinator
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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.

Richard LaBerge

Funeral Attendant Emeritus
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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.