About Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Home - Central Chapel

Eric Thompson is a third-generation Funeral Director with Arbor Memorial. He graduated from Humber College in 2005 with an honours diploma in Funeral Service Education.  He is currently working as the General Manager of Ottawa, Kingston & Belleville. With over 12 years working for Arbor, he has become a leader in providing responsive, respectful and meaningful end-of-life services. Eric has a passion for serving and giving back to the community. He is involved with Rotary International, Chamber of Commerce, Sales and Ad Club, and an active member in the local Baptist church.

Ben graduated from Humber College Funeral Service Education in 1996. He gained experience at funeral homes in North Toronto and The County before joining Arbor Memorial. He takes pride in providing services to all families, and enjoys working with the many multicultural communities found throughout Ontario. Ben has been involved at the organizational level in youth soccer, as well as being a certified referee and coach. He and his wife Heather have two children and love serving at their home church, Emmanuel Baptist, where Ben serves on the Board.

Tim began working part time with the Cassidy Funeral Home in Tweed in 1993, then graduated from Humber College with an honours diploma in Funeral Service Education. On Monday, June 19, 1995, he began his full time career with the Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Homes and with Arbor Memorial. In subsequent years he transitioned from being the apprentice, to the primary arranger, to being the manager. Tim and his wife Allison Philpot together have 5 children and can often be found at the various arenas, soccer fields, gymnastic clubs, and school events around Kingston. Over the years Tim has coached or been on the coaching staff various leagues (Kingston AAA to the Church Athletic Hockey League) Kingston United, Cataraqui Clippers and Pegasus soccer clubs, been on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, involved with the Knights of Columbus and is involved with fundraising for Hospice Kingston.

I graduated with honours from Funeral Service Education in 1978. I worked in Toronto, Powassan and moved to Kingston in 1982 to work with Mary Tompkins. I have been busy in my years in Kingston with the Lions Club (Melvin Jones Recipient), Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th Degree (35 Year Award) as past grand knight, past faithful navigator and past Diocesan Director. I have worked with many church groups to organize and help raise funds, especially the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Anglican Diocese and the Ecumenical Council. I have worked with United Way, UHKF and other fund raising groups. When I learned to use the computer, I used these skills to print for many church and community groups. For 18 years was active with local military groups to remember and commemorate veterans with the Kingston Remembrance Day Ceremony and other Veterans Services and Ceremonies, printing, helping and organizing. I enjoy my current role which allows me to help promote and serve the community and G.F Tompkins Funeral Home that I have proudly worked for 27 years.

Laura starting working for Arbor and Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Homes in 2000 as a co-op student from LaSalle Secondary School. She graduated from Humber College in Funeral Service Education, and has been licensed for 15 years. She has been very involved in 358 Dirt Modified Car Racing as an avid helper to the race team and supporter. I have been a 4H Club volunteer especially helping my nephew Jarred at events.

Jackie Markland was born and raised in Prince Edward County. In 2000 Jackie obtained her Funeral Director’s licence from the Western School of Funeral Service in British Columbia, with honours in her class. Prior to Jackie obtaining her Funeral licence & after working over 16 years in the Dental profession, she attended a funeral for a loved one. That was when Jackie was inspired & felt a calling as well as a need to change her profession. With her new career change Jackie could work with people when they were going through a situation that made them more vulnerable in life, and needing guidance. Her career in funeral service started with Arbor Memorial in BC. In 2004. Jackie returned to Ontario and worked in a family owned and operated business until March of 2019 when she returned to Arbor Memorial in Kingston, where she now once again feels at home in funeral service. Jackie has been involved with the Breast Cancer Action Kingston Golf Tournament, also with the Salvation Army Kettle Program at Christmas. In Jackie’s spare time she loves enjoying time with her family, going on spontaneous excursions such as Hot Air Ballooning, Ziplining, River Rafting, snowshoeing & many other outdoor activities to name a few.

Kevin is in his 30th year working in the funeral industry. He has been a licensed funeral director for 20 years and a licensed crematorium operator for 5 years. He has been with Arbor Memorial for over 5 years. He is an active member of his local Free Methodist Church. He has 5 adult children and one granddaughter. He spends his summer holidays as a volunteer cook at Pine Orchard Camp, heading up the kitchen for the children’s overnight and family camps. He is proud to serve the Kingston community when people are facing one of the most difficult times that they will go through “The loss of a loved one”

Karen McAnerin was born and raised in Kingston. She has always been extremely passionate about helping others and knew from a very early age that she aspired to become a Funeral Director. While attending L.C.V.I. (Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute), Karen focused her energies as a co-op Student at a local Funeral Home and then graduated from Humber College in Funeral Service Education and became Licensed as a Funeral Director in 2005. She honed her skills in the communities of Trenton, Campbellford, Cobourg, Colborne and Oshawa prior to returning to Kingston to serve her hometown community, friends and family. Karen has two children who are extremely active in rep hockey, competitive rowing and muay thai kickboxing. As a family they volunteer together with Ability Dogs Canada during training classes and fundraising events. Karen is also an active volunteer with Bereavement Services of Kingston, Surrogacy in Canada Online, Students for Wishes Queen’s University’s Annual HaiRaiser Event (supporting Make-A-Wish Foundation) as well as volunteering at both of her children's schools. Karen previously volunteered at Extend-A-Family Summer Day Camp, provided Pet Therapy at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and Providence Manor, and as a trainer for a few seasons on her son’s hockey teams. Karen has a love of animals and has both furry and feathered friends.  She enjoys giving back and contributing to the community, making a difference in the lives of others and building positive relationships.  Karen is grateful for the opportunity to join Arbor and make long lasting and meaningful connections in the community.

"Grief is an act of love. If we loved greatly we will grieve deeply". When I meet with families for the first time I understand that it is during the most difficult time of their lives. My goal is to help them through a difficult transition in a meaningful way that allows them to grieve. In my 25 years as a funeral director, I have seen many changes. My passion for what I do has not been one of those changes as it has only become stronger. What started out as a possible career has evolved into “my calling”. Being a funeral director requires a very understanding family. My wife Tristan of 30 years is my biggest supporter and together we have been blessed with five beautiful children. Over the years I have coached Tweed soccer and made an early impact on many lives. I was involved with the local charity “Please Keep Me Warm This Winter” and have been a volunteer for fundraising and memorial events with The Heart of Hastings Hospice. In my spare time, I can be seen spending time with my family and enjoying the company and exercise of the Centre Hastings Badminton Club, and serving through the Tweed Kiwanis Club. Joining Arbor not only allows me to bring my experience to a team dedicated to serving the communities of Belleville and Kingston but to continue the lasting relationships which I have had the privilege to make while serving families, neighbours and friends over the last 20 years in Tweed, Madoc and Marmora.

Stacey Hartley is a 20 year licensed Funeral Director who for the last 5 years has been our Preplanning Funeral Director looking after our Kingston Arbor Funeral Homes. She graduated from Humber College in 2000 with an honours diploma in Funeral Service Education. Her career has seen her work in various communities including London, Sydenham, and Gananoque. Stacey is very involved in the community. She gives a helping hand when needed at Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Senior’s Center and her 4 children’s various sports teams. She has also served on the BCAK Golf Tournament as well as the Senior’s Center Golf Tournament.

Mackenzie is a licensed funeral director and has been with Arbor for the last 3 years. She currently specializes in funeral pre-planning and serving families through aftercare assistance. Mackenzie volunteers in the community at Providence Care Hospital, with Big Brother Big Sisters and with various golf tournaments in Kingston; including the annual tournaments for the Kingston Seniors Centre and Breast Cancer Action Kingston.

Amelia has been a funeral director for 5 years and with Arbor for 6 years. She is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion #496 and volunteers at various events in her local community. 

Daniel Dutcher is a Funeral Director and has been working in the Funeral Service Industry for over six years. He has recently graduated from Humber College with Honours and is involved with Rotary International.

For 8 years, working day to day operations. My passion for life is making every day memorable. I am mindful to always listen and to be kind. People will forget what I said, people will forget what I did, but people will never forget how I made them feel. I believe in letting my voice make a difference.

After completing professional courses from both St. Lawrence College and the University of Waterloo, Michelle entered the healthcare workforce with St. Lawrence Vision in Kingston as both an Ophthalmic Assistant and office Administrator.  In 2003 she joined the Community Palliative Care Team which worked in conjunction with Queens University, Kingston General Hospital and St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital.  As a Physician Assistant, she took great pride in helping not only the Physicians, but the patients and their families as they did their best to navigate every aspect of the Palliative Care experience.   She joined the Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Home team in 2020 as the Township Chapel Administrator. Michelle quickly found that with her decades of experience in Palliative Care she was extremely well suited for her role within the funeral industry.  When she is not at work, you will find Michelle, her husband Mike and their son Dawson enjoying time “at the lake” with family and friends.