Our Staff
Our dedicated and supportive staff are here to guide you through this difficult journey. We take pride in doing our absolute best to ensure your needs are met. We are here for you.
Michael K. Goodman- Licensed Funeral Director
A native of North Tonawanda, Michael, graduated from North Tonawanda Senior High School in 1973. During Junior and Senior High, worked 6 nights a week at a delicatesson, on weekends at G. V. Goerss Dairy in bottling and during summer vacation worked mornings as a milkman, doing home deliveries. After graduation, he went to Niagara County Community College. He went to work at the Exolon Company in Tonawanda and then went to work for Niagara Frontier Services in Buffalo, managing a store on Grand Island and then Cheektowaga. He then left his employment to pursue his dream of being a funeral director by graduating from Canton ATC with a degree in Mortuary Science. He moved back to the Buffalo area and served his residency with the Carlton A. Ullrich Funeral Home in Buffalo. He served as a funeral director at Beach-Tuyn Funeral Home, Inc. in Williamsville, when he received word from friends in Canton that the Hammill Funeral Home was for sale. Loving the North Country during college, he knew that Winthrop was the place to raise a family and bought the funeral home in 1982. In 1997, he was a partner in the purchase of the former Harris Funeral Home building in St. Regis Falls, which became Bassett Funeral Home, then became the sole owner in 2007, and changed the name to Hammill Funeral Home.
Michael is married to Patti Truesdell and they have two children, Julia and Jonathan and a granddaughter, Lennon. Patti now serves as the President of the business.
He is a member of the Brasher Winthrop Volunteer Fire Department, a past president of Tri Town Chamber of Commerce, a member of Quad Town Lions Club, a member and past president of the St. Lawrence County Funeral Directors Association, a member of the New York State Funeral Directors Association, a Life Member of HOG, Inc. and a Endowment Member of the NRA.
Together they enjoy the love of their granddaughter, the camp at Lake Ozonia, motorcycling and time with family and friends.
“Never get tired of doing little things for others. Sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.”
– Unknown-
Julia A. Goodman-Licensed Funeral Director; Certified Celebrant, Life Tribute Professional
A native of Winthrop; Julia grew up in the funeral business, helping as a child move flowers and inspecting all aspects of the funeral service. She graduated from St. Lawrence Central School in 2004, and then attended SUNY at Canton where she received her degree in Mortuary Science. In 2010, she became the Manager of the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop.
She served her residency with the Eannace Funeral Home in Utica and was asked to remain after receiving her funeral directors license. She received excellent teaching on how to be a competitive businesswoman in a male-oriented business. Julia has now brought her acquired skills back to Winthrop. Her personable attitude and hard work ethic have been a complement to her attraction to be present to people, versatile in her abilities and one who proudly serves her community and profession with distinction. With her training as a Certified Celebrant, Julia can provide a funeral service, memorial service or tribute that will be personalized to the personality and life-style of the deceased. Her expertise in guidance and consulting will help your family plan a meaningful funeral to honor your loved one.
She is a In-Sight Institute, Certified Celebrant, Life Tribute Professional, a NYSFDA Leadership Academy Graduate, on the NYSFDA Bridge Commission ; a past Independent Consultant, District Manager for Arbonne International and is a member and Vice President of the St. Lawrence County Funeral Directors Association, Alpha Chi Omicron Sorority, and Head Coach for Girls JV Softball at St. Lawrence Central.
Julia enjoys music, sports, traveling, spending time at camp in the Adirondacks and has a love for animals, especially her dog, Zoe. She is partial to the North Country and is currently residing in Nicholville with her daughter Lennon Patricia.
Stacia G. Johnston-Licensed Funeral Director
Born and raised in Mexico, NY, Stacia graduated from Mexico High School in 2018. She then attended SUNY Canton where she earned a BS in Funeral Service Administration and microcredential in Death Investigation, graduating in 2021. Eager to get the most out of her education, Stacia held multiple internships at various funeral homes in Central New York while attending college. In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stacia had the honor of participating in “Hands with A Heart”, a project in which several students volunteered in NYC to help ease the burden of those funeral homes with their capacity constraints. Following her residency at Hammill Funeral Home, she was asked to remain on staff as a full-time funeral home director.
Under the guidance of the Goodman family, Stacia has had the opportunity to further her training through valuable hands-on experience. Her passion for helping people send off their loved ones is evident from the personalized, compassionate way she interacts with the families she serves. Stacia’s technological expertise allows for virtual interactions, including pre-need arrangements, video slideshows, customized stationary, and other creative ways to personalize the perfect service for your family’s needs.
Stacia enjoys art, music, reading and spending time with friends and family. Some of her extended family includes her mom’s pack of senior rescued animals. She resides in Potsdam with her cat, Winston.
Jonathan M. Goodman- Funeral Assistant/Office Manager
Jonathan also grew up in the family funeral business, helping where he was needed. He attended SUNY@Canton and then went to Paul Smiths College, studying Culinary Arts. He has worked at Ducci's Restaurant in Brasher Falls,Village Bakery and Mr. Mike's Pizza in Lake Placid. He moved back to Winthrop to assist in the family business. He currently resides in Winthrop with his dog, Wrangler.
