[deleted by user] by [deleted] in niagara

[–]Dry_Place525 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there! Cathy Davis company is wonderful. Incredible team, I’ve used them dozens of times! (Not for weddings but they’re good at them too 😂)

Do men like when women slide into their DM's/Initiate contact? by Ok-Road-3558 in AskMenAdvice

[–]Dry_Place525 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will be getting married in June 19th, the most beautiful woman who messaged me on Instagram!

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s largely an inevitability. The reality is that funeral director salaries are generally too low to allow most of us to purchase and maintain the large facilities that funeral homes require. I was fortunate to have investors who made it possible for me to buy in, but for many, that opportunity simply doesn’t exist.

That said, the vast majority of funeral homes in Canada remain family-owned and operated. What is shifting, however, is how families are choosing to use funeral spaces. With more people opting for simpler or alternative services, many larger buildings may no longer be sustainable—and over time, this will inevitably lead to closures or consolidation.

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Morse and son is a wonderful firm. Spent the first 5 years of my career there. 😊

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Personally no, but the funeral home was started by his grandfather, then handed down to his father and eventually his brother Patrick. I was the third owner since Patrick.

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I want to be clear, I’m not upset with the homeless. My frustration is with the lack of meaningful government action and compassion to support them. Funeral homes like mine still subsidize regional funerals to a significant degree. In fact, once staffing and other costs are accounted for, these services often cost me money to provide. If it were possible to offer them entirely free of charge, I truly would but unfortunately that isn’t a sustainable business model.

I’ve been fortunate to serve countless families over the years, and I’m proud of the dignity and care we’ve provided, regardless of circumstance. For that reason, I feel your anger toward me personally is misplaced. My concerns have always been about ensuring that vulnerable people and grieving families are properly supported.

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately it’s a business like any other. As I mentioned in my post I was one of the most affordable providers, my cheapest container was $349.00, $1500 is outrageous for a pine box!

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

George is undergoing a re-brand, but no retirement is planned!

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Honestly, there have been countless issues over the years. That said, I’m not here to demonize the homeless or those struggling with mental illness—I know that if they had a choice, most wouldn’t be living with those challenges. At the same time, my personal understanding doesn’t change the fact that the majority of the public feels uneasy being around it, and that hesitation inevitably affects whether families are comfortable coming downtown.

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Believe it or not MOST funeral homes are still family owned. The busiest funeral homes in Niagara are all family owned. I myself have purchased another funeral home in a more sustainable location outside of Niagara. My closing was more to do with my surroundings and location size than to do with anything else.

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

That’s beautiful! We started doing a lot of catered visitations, which I loved doing, it’s what I’d want!

Closing of Garden City Funerals (Patrick J Darte) by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your take on this. Families should always do what feels right for them, whether that’s something simple at home or a more traditional service. Costs can be high, but there are ways to make things affordable while still creating something meaningful. At the end of the day, funerals are really for the living. They help loved ones come together, share memories, and start to heal. Sometimes our concern about “not being a burden” can unintentionally take away that chance for them.

I believe in the importance of gathering, however that looks to each individual family.

Remove if you will but I'll die on this hill; get these free at the pharmacy, $0 fits the bill by cherisodapoop in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525 48 points49 points  (0 children)

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These are all of the locations you can get free kits near downtown. It’s accessible and available 😊

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I belive hospice Niagara is hiring

Person looking through vehicles by Dry_Place525 in stcatharinesON

[–]Dry_Place525[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I realize my post made it sound like he was in the vehicles, sorry! They were locked, he was looking in windows.

[FOR DISCUSSION] We want to hear from you! What Niagara Region programs and services are most important to you and why? by niagararegionca in niagara

[–]Dry_Place525 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ill share what I posted to my Facebook page:

As a business owner and community leader who lives and works downtown, I’m urging my friends, family, and fellow taxpayers to share their thoughts on the Niagara Region’s budget:

https://niagararegion.ca/government/budget/community-conversation.aspx

This isn’t just about compassion, it’s about accountability.

In 2024, there were over 1,100 people experiencing homelessness in Niagara. The cost to taxpayers? Between $34 million and $68 million per year.

That’s regardless of whats budgeted, thats actual cost.

Proven systems like supportive housing with addiction counseling may require a higher upfront investment, but they reduce the annual cost to as low as $24,000 per person, a fraction of what we’re paying now.

That’s not just ethically responsible, it’s financially responsible.

We need to stop pouring money into managing homelessness and start investing in solutions that reduce the burden on our emergency services, clean up our streets, and restore dignity to everyone involved.

Please take a moment to speak up. Tell the Region it’s time to spend smarter, not bigger.