Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home ~ Kingston, New York ~ Caring Funeral and Cremation Services

Robert J. Gaus
Robert Gaus

Robert J. Gaus Robert J. Gaus, President and Licensed Funeral Director, has owned and operated Simpson-Gaus since 1981. A graduate of SUNY Farmingdale, Bob previously worked at Mangano Funeral Home in Deer Park, Long Island. Over the past years Bob has reached out to the entire community and offered a sense of compassion to all who call. Meeting the needs of all, he blends the traditional with the contemporary. Simpson-Gaus has become a leader in the Hudson Valley by creating numerous custom and personalized offerings to our families. A state of the art "Photo Memorial Tribute" that has brought families to appreciate the joys and memories of a life well lived. Custom register books including digital floral photos, photo memorial cards, a custom Catholic Funeral Mass planning booklet, service programs, laminated Jewish yahrzeit calendars and photo collages, just to name a few. One of the most unique and thorough casket selection and funeral merchandise centers in the country was highlighted in the Daily Freeman in 1999. Bob continues to educate our community about funerals, being prepared and all related options by sponsoring and conducting seminars. As Bob puts it: "There is a difference about our funeral home... it's the detail, the planning, the organization, the compassion, the professionalism and a sense that each death has our full attention."

Bob is active in many local organizations including Secretary and past president of the Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster Funeral Directors Association; he is an active member of the New York State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. He is a member and past president of the Kingston Lions Club and member and past board chair of the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce. A 3rd and 4th Degree member of the Kingston Council #275 and 4-time Grand Knight, he is the music director of The Schola at the Hurley Mission at St. Joseph's Church. Over the years he has performed with Ars Choralis in Woodstock, the Mendelssohn Club in Kingston, and Coach House Players in Kingston. An honorary member of the Chevra Kadisha of Greater Kingston, he is a board member of Ulster Greene ARC, an honorary member of St. Mary's Benevolent Society and former board member of Ulster County Hospice and later Hospice, Inc.

Bob was recently honored, in June 2010, by Congregation Ahavath Israel (Conservative synagogue in Kingston) with a dinner and roast for his community involvement and support of the Jewish community. In 2007 he was presented with the "Quality of Life Award" for his dedicated service to the Jewish community and the community at large by Rebbetzin Chava Hecht of Camp Emunah and Rabbi Yitzchok Hecht of the Chabad Ulster County.

With his cat Felix and dog Trina, Bob lives above the funeral home and on Sleepy Hollow Lake in Athens (Greene County). His dad, Robert "R.C." Gaus lives around the corner. His mom, Catherine, recently died on March 11, 2007.

Paul V. Geary
Paul V. Geary, Licensed Funeral Director, has been an associate funeral director at Simpson - Gaus for the past 9 years. Paul, has specialized with several areas including prearrangement options, veteran's affairs and funeral customization. A graduate of McAlister Institute, NYC, Paul is also active in local organizations including past president of the Kingston Kiwanis Club and Ancient Order of Hibernians. Paul, and his wife Carol, live in Kingston.

We are also fortunate to have an office manager, full time funeral assistant, maintenance personnel, and numerous funeral and calling hour assistants.

Dominick Pagnotta
Dominick, a licensed funeral director and embalmer for Simpson - Gaus for the past 10 years lives in Marlboro. A former school teacher for the Marlboro School District, Dom selected funeral service as his second profession. He specializes in all aspects of embalming and restorative art... we consider him to be one of the finest in our profession.