The Cardinal Team

Born and raised in Toronto, Jim began working in the family funeral business as a teenager. He became a licensed funeral director in 1982 and became president of Cardinal Funeral Homes in 1984, following the death of his father. Jim has held leadership positions in many funeral and bereavement-related organizations, among them: the Toronto and Ontario boards of Bereaved Families of Ontario; the Funeral Service Association of Canada; Open Dialogue; the Ontario Funeral Service Association. Outside his professional field, Jim has had volunteer roles with the Hospital for Sick Children’s Unforgettables Fund and has coached his children’s T-ball, little league and hockey teams. A professional musician, making music remains an important hobby for Jim, along with gardening, scuba diving and golf. As of October 2019, Jim has officially retired from day to day operations of the company but remains connected as Chairman and majority shareholder.

Email: j.cardinal@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Jimmy is the fourth generation of the Cardinal family who has chosen to be a funeral director serving the families of Toronto. Jimmy began working at the funeral home during summer breaks during High School and University, and it didn’t take him long to realize that joining the family business was the right path for him. After completing his studies in Economics at McGill University, he attended Humber College to obtain his Funeral Director’s License and graduated in 2012. In 2018 Jimmy was promoted to the position of President of Cardinal Funeral Homes as his father began to wind down his career and take a less active role in the day to day operations of the company. Always looking to grow professionally and give back to the bereavement sector, Jimmy is a past president of the Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals, a current member of the Humber College Funeral Services Advisory Committee and a Board Member of Evergreen Crematorium. Outside of work, Jimmy enjoys spending time with his wife, Amy, and their children, Lily and Finn, is an avid traveller and a diehard Leaf fan. He’s also always on the lookout for a new restaurant to try so feel free to share any recommendation you might have!

Email: kim@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Kim is the General Manager of Cardinal Funeral Home, where she's proudly served since her internship days in 2006. Passionate about assisting families during their most challenging times, Kim treasures the relationships she's built over the years. Outside of work, she finds solace in reading, immersing herself in music, and relishing outdoor adventures with her family.

Email: kevin@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Originally from Chatham, Kevin worked his way through University working at a local funeral home. He soon learned that his passion was serving families in their time of need and returned to school to become a funeral director, receiving his license in 1991. In his spare time Kevin is very involved in the local community, his church and is a Past State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus. He is also an avid Argos fan and loves to take long trips on his bike.

Email: m.langdon@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Michael has been a licensed Funeral Director since 2013, after searching for a meaningful career. He is patient and understanding and takes a lot of pride in his work, providing care and support for families. Born in Toronto, raised in Newfoundland, and settled back in Toronto since 2007, Michael spends his spare time refining his collection of vinyl records, and supporting his favourite team - Arsenal Football club.

Email: cindy@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

A funeral director of more than 20 years, Cindy has dedicated her professional life to assisting families in arranging unique and meaningful ceremonies for their loved ones, as well as for themselves when pre-planning.

Growing up in Northern Ontario, Cindy enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her husband Chris and their three young boys. Her favourite activities are building snow forts, working in her garden and spending as much time as possible at the beach!

Email: christine@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Christine has been a licensed funeral director since 2015. After deaths in her personal circle and the different approaches from professionals towards the family and friends, she felt called to be a funeral director when she saw the positive effect a funeral director that cares can have when someone dies. When not at work Christine spends her free time reading, crafting and baking and has a passion for history, museums, learning and good food.

Email: clara@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Like many of the families we serve, Clara was born in the Azores, but raised in Toronto. She decided to become a funeral director as a second career, after being exposed to the field through a friend and family. She is a member of Toronto and Ontario funeral services associations and finds it very gratifying to help families through the emotionally difficult time when a loved one has died. When not at Cardinal, Clara likes to read, travel and “do nothing”.

Email: debbie@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Prior to Debbie receiving her Funeral Directors license in 2013 she graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. She was first introduced to funeral service while in high school but decided to obtain her arts degree first. After receiving her degree she worked part time at a local funeral home in the east end of Toronto. It did not take long for Debbie to realize that this was the career for her because Debbie loves to help people. She graduated from Humber College Funeral Service program in 2013 with Honours. When Debbie is not at work she loves to spend time with her family, watch movies, read, cook and scrapbook.

Email: aaron@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Toronto native Aaron joined Cardinal in 2005 and still finds the camaraderie of team to be exceptional. He likes working for families in their time of need and says his goal is always to take away their anxiety and stress about planning and experiencing a funeral. “The nicest thing a family can say to me is, ’thank you for making this so easy.” In his free time, Aaron enjoys cycling, movies and playing the guitar.

Email: b.szocik@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Like so many of Cardinal’s funeral directors, Bill was inspired to make this his life career after the death of someone very close to him – his father. A native Torontonian, Bill graduated with a Diploma in Funeral Service Education in June 2003, receiving the John Finn Memorial Award for outstanding achievement. “The thing I like best is knowing that I can help make the funeral process just that little bit easier like the funeral directors did for my family when my dad died.” When not at work, Bill enjoys spending time with his family.

Email: jessica@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Originally from Hagersville Ontario, Jessica moved to Toronto to pursue her career in the funeral profession. She received her funeral director's license in 2005 and began working at Cardinal as a funeral director in 2009. With additional certification in Supply Chain Management, she took on the role of Purchaser from 2011 to 2022 before returning to her original position as a funeral director serving families in need. When not at work, Jessica spends her time with her husband and their daughter. She is also an avid traveler with a love for old films.

Email: mark@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Mark has been an integral part of the Cardinal Funeral Homes team after graduating from Humber College with honours in 2016. After his younger sister and Dad died, he knew becoming a funeral director was the right thing for him. Mark says, ``One of the last things my sister did was wish me success; I define that as being fortunate enough to do what I love.`` Mark's favourite thing in the world is being Uncle Mark to his nieces and nephews. He thinks if you throw in indulging in some junk food, this is a recipe for a great time! Mark also loves to cook and watch cooking shows such as the Great British Bake Off as well as discovering great new local places to eat.

Email: eva@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Eva has been working as a licensed director in Toronto for over a decade. They are passionate about their commitment to all of the families they care for. Being able to guide families through an intensely difficult and stressful time is something they take a great deal of pride in. An avid traveler, Eva enjoys being outdoors, exploring new places and cultures.

Email: colleen@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Born and raised in Toronto, Colleen became a Funeral Director after working in Ornithology for several years. The sequential deaths of her grandmother and uncle lead to some soul searching which brought her to accepting a part time job at a North Toronto funeral home and she never looked back.

Prior to entering the profession Colleen graduated from Seneca @York with a diploma in Radio Broadcasting. In 2016 Colleen graduated from the Funeral Services Education Program at Humber College and does everything she can to ensure families and their loved ones are cared for with the utmost dignity and respect.

In her spare time Colleen enjoys gardening and camping with her husband Adrian; as well as reading and relaxing with their many parrots and two cats.

``What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains immortal`` - Albert Pine

Email: amanda@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Amanda’s interest in the funeral profession began in high school during a co-op, she then graduated from the Funeral Service Education program at Humber College in 2009. When she isn’t helping families honour the life of their loved one she enjoys reading, camping and powerlifting.

Email: susan@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Susan graduated from Humber College with honors in 2021. Although she is new to the role of funeral director, she is very eager to deliver the highest possible degree of service to families and is committed to doing everything in her power to achieve that goal. Susan lives with her partner and their cat in Etobicoke and when not at work she enjoys reading, writing, watching movies, listening to music, and proudly maintains that she is the #1 fan of The Who.

Email: brianne@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Brianne has wanted to be a licensed funeral director since high school. She obtained her funeral director’s license in 2012. Brianne is very honoured to serve families and to help people during what can be one of the most difficult time of someone’s life. When not at work she’s enjoys walking her dog Silas and hanging out with family and friends, especially her nieces and nephews.

Email: jennifer@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Jennifer began her career in funeral service as a high school co-op student in Peterborough after finding a connection to helping bereaved families following the loss of her best friend. After becoming a licensed funeral director in 2011 she came to Toronto in search of the experience that such a multicultural and diverse city offers. One of Jennifer’s favourite aspects of being a funeral director is learning about the traditions of the families she serves and helping them find ways to celebrate the unique lives of their loved ones.

Sharing her family’s love of crafting, she always has a sewing or leatherwork project on the go. In her spare time she works alongside the Blind and partially sighted community as an audio describer in addition to spending as much time as she can with her family, friends and beloved feline companion, Littlefoot.

Email: alesia@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

A Toronto native, Alesia graduated the Funeral Service Education program at Humber College in 2021. Alesia made the decision to become a funeral director and joined this profession after completing a high school a co-op placement at Cardinal. This experience unveiled a profound calling – to support individuals and families during their most challenging times, making a lasting, positive difference in their lives. In her free time outside of work, she enjoys cooking, baking and spending weekends at the cottage.

Email: sarah@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Sarah brings a warm and compassionate approach to her work, stemming from her deep roots in the small town of Bowmanville, Ontario. In 2013, Sarah moved to Toronto to pursue her passion for funeral services, a field in which she excelled, earning her Class 1 Funeral Director's license from Humber College in 2015.

Now settled in downtown Toronto with her husband, Deen, and their Doberman, Lucius, Sarah finds balance and joy in the simplicity of nature. She cherishes her free time, spending it on adventurous outings with Lucius, enjoying long walks, or unwinding with a good book in serene settings.

When she's not assisting families during their times of need, Sarah enjoys the vibrant city life. Her interests include socializing with friends, exploring local patios for summer drinks, and indulging in cultural activities like plays, movies, and concerts. To relax, she loves playing video games, reading with a glass of wine, and cuddling with Lucius. Sarah’s blend of professional dedication and personal warmth ensures that she meets every family’s needs with understanding and genuine kindness.

Email: katherine@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Kathy joined the Cardinal’s team in 2003. She works with families both before and after they need a funeral. A licensed funeral pre-planner, she helps people organize their funeral plans, so that their families will be spared the task when the need arises. She also delivers Cardinal’s Extended Family Services Program, helping families who have just experienced a loss to wind up the deceased’s affairs. With her fluency in Ukrainian and her professional expertise, Kathy is a godsend to many of our clients. She finds her work gives her “a really good feeling at the end of the day”. In her free time, you’ll find Kathy enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.

Email: manuela@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Manuela has always been interested in the customs and the services provided by funeral homes. This interest was sparked in two major ways: one from having watched the movie ``My Girl`` and the other through her mother's fascination with family history. Historical sites and graveyards were always a part of the family travel itineraries, with many many cemeteries visited in the Caribbean and Italy. Even local cemeteries were often places for a quiet stroll, reading tombstones and savouring the past. Traditions, particularly involving history and family, continue to be important to Manuela. This lifelong love of travel and times past is actively being handed down to her young daughter who joins all her adventures. But you can't always travel, so when Manuela is in between trips or seeking a new place to explore, she will likely be on a mission to find the best sweets in town, accompanied by her daughter and her dog, Charlie.

Email: zoe@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Zoë is an intern funeral director with a passion for history and disco music. She holds a BA in English Literature and Early Modern Studies and has a keen interest in early modern European funerary practices. Zoë is enthusiastic about expanding her knowledge gained at Humber College while working at Cardinal Funeral Homes. She looks forward to a fulfilling career helping families during their most challenging times.

Email: athena@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

After working in the corporate world for 20+ years in a marketing communications capacity, Athena found her true calling and passion in working in a temporary position for a long term care facility during the global pandemic. It was here that she realized just how short, precious and valuable life truly is - and a need to assist and provide compassionate care for people just came as second instinct. Once the global pandemic ended,she decided to take the next natural step in her career and transition to Cardinal Funeral Homes as an Office Administrator / Receptionist where she assists with the day-to-day coordination and facilitation of documentation necessary for all funeral arrangements. In her spare time, Athena is an avid traveler, having visited several countries throughout Europe, Middle East and South America and has lived in the USA and Cyprus for many years. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, trying out new cuisines and restaurants, reading, watching horror films and documentaries and spending time outdoors.

Email: r.holloway@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

As a Funeral Director Assistant, Rob is honoured to serve families at Cardinal Funeral Homes after a career in Cemetery Operations, primarily in the Toronto area. When not at work, Rob enjoys curling in the winter, lawn bowling in the summer, and reading, travelling, walking, and good food with family and friends all year round.

Email: sandora@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Driven by a deep-rooted passion for mystery and folklore, Sandora has found her calling in the funeral profession. Thanks to her lifelong fascination and the influence of a close friend, a funeral director, she excels in providing empathetic support to families during their most challenging times. Known for her unwavering compassion and dedication, Sandora ensures the process is as smooth as possible, offering strength and courage to those in need.

Inspired by her parents and enriched by her own family, including a soulmate, two children, and four birds, Sandora knows the value of memory-making. When she isn't providing invaluable support to grieving families, she can be found cooking and baking with her children, writing, meeting new people, enjoying nature walks, listening to music, or engaging in meditation.

Email: thomas@cardinalfuneralhomes.com

Thomas is a dedicated Funeral Directors Assistant at Cardinal Funeral Homes. He takes great pride in being part of such meaningful work, assisting those who need it the most during difficult times. Hailing from just outside the city, Thomas is enthusiastic about serving the community and forging strong connections with the families and individuals within it. In his free time, he enjoys quiet company and peaceful walks in the deep woods.

At Cardinal Funeral Homes, we are privileged to have Suzanne as part of our dedicated team. Suzanne brings a rich tapestry of experiences to her role as a housekeeper. Her career journey has taken her from being a food and beverage specialist to owning her own bar, managing a hotel, and engaging audiences as a radio speaker. After a fulfilling career across various industries, Suzanne returned to Canada where she initially took on the role of EVS lead hand before finding her place with us.

Suzanne's love for food, wine, and good music not only makes her a delightful colleague but also enriches our community environment. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence ensure that our facilities are maintained with the utmost care, providing a welcoming and respectful setting for the families we serve.