Craig S. Beane is a fourth generation funeral director and became the owner of Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette in November 2019. He is the oldest son of Russell Beane and a lifelong resident of the Lakes Region. Craig graduated from Laconia High School in 1990, and then continued his education at Canton College in Canton, New York where he received his Associate's Degree in Mortuary Science in 1992. After serving his apprenticeship, he became a licensed Funeral Director and began working full-time for the family firm in 1993. Craig also has a Crematory Operators License. Craig is a member, past president, and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Laconia Rotary Club, incorporator of the Taylor Community, incorporator of LRGHealthcare, and incorporator of Belknap County Economic Development Council. Craig has one son, Cody, a labradoodle Timber, and a goldendoodle, Governor.

Austin Perrin is a 2013 graduate of Prospect Mountain High School in Alton and a 2019 Summa Cum Laude graduate of FINE Mortuary College in Norwood, MA. He is a Licensed Funeral Director and has a Crematory Operators License. Austin and his wife Stephanie live in Gilmanton Ironworks with their three children; Alexis, Sophie, and Charlie, and their black lab Goose. Austin enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.

Jordie Nelson moved to New Hampshire from Las Vegas, NV, in 2014. She started her journey in the funeral industry in 2016, when she enrolled into FINE Mortuary College, in Norwood, MA. Jordie graduated from FINE Mortuary College in 2019. She received her Crematory Operators License in 2017. Jordie is a volunteer with the Hollis Police Benevolent Association, which holds an annual benefit to support local first responders. In her free time she enjoys painting, wood burning, finding new places to eat, and spending time with family. Jordie resides in Laconia.

Curtis T. Beane is the youngest son of Russell Beane and a fourth generation family member in funeral service. Curtis graduated from Laconia High School in 1995 and attended Mt. Ida College in Newton, MA, where he graduated from in 1998. Curtis received his Crematory Operators License, and since 1998, oversees daily operations at Winnipesaukee River Crematorium. Curtis and his wife, Jessica Paradise Beane, Manager of the Gilford branch of the Bank of New Hampshire, and their two daughters, Addison and Delaney, reside in Gilford.

Cody J. Beane, the son of Craig Beane, is a fifth generation Beane to work for Wilkinson Beane. Cody is a graduate of Bishop Brady High School in Concord and received his Associate Degree in General Education from NHTI. Through the National Funeral Directors Association, he received his Crematory Operators License in 2020. Cody resides in Laconia. He enjoys snowboarding in the winter and the outdoors in the summer.

Ted Tunnicliffe, Licensed Funeral Director State of Massachusetts, relocated here from Massachusetts and was the former owner of MacRae-Tunnicliffe Funeral Home in Concord, MA. Ted and his wife Linda reside in Laconia.

Mary Legassie, Administrative Assistant

Tara Wilson, Funeral Director Assistant

Barbara DeNutte, Funeral Director Assistant

Ray Legassie, Funeral Care Assistant/Crematory Operator

David Weller, Funeral Care Assistant

Randy Danforth, Funeral Care Assistant

For information or questions please call us at (603) 524-4300, or E-mail Us Here

Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home as originally founded in 1860 by Jefferson Gilbert. He offered many additional services, such as coffin making, paper hanging, picture- framing and manufacturer of window shades. Gilbert sold the business in 1887 to Jonathan L. Moore, whose son John B. Moore later joined the firm. In 1898, Lewis H. Wilkinson joined the Moores, taking ownership in 1905. He became a prominent citizen of the city, being elected mayor in 1921-1922. Wilkinson moved the Moore Funeral Home across town in 1910. Then, again in 1921, he moved once again to another section of town. At the same time, he changed the name of the funeral home to Wilkinson's Funeral Home.

Dana S. "Ace" Beane joined the firm in 1919 after service in the Army during World War I. He took over ownership in 1947, together with his sons Donald and Roger upon their return from World War II service. They then moved the business to its current location on Pleasant Street in the mansion known as the Mayo home - built and occupied by hosiery manufacturer Frank P. Hold from 1895-1904. Roger Beane worked for the firm until his retirement in 1982. Donald Beane was treasurer of the firm until his retirement in 1993.

Russell J. Beane, son of Donald Beane, joined the funeral home in 1974 and is currently president of the firm. He graduated from Laconia High School in 1967 and Keene State College in 1971. He also attended New England Institute and graduated in 1974. Two of his three sons have continued the tradition and are working full-time for the firm. He is married to Carol Ann Akerman Beane. Russell retired from the firm in 2019.

Craig S. Beane, oldest son of Russell Beane, graduated from Canton College in Canton, New York in 1992 with an associates degree in mortuary science. After serving his apprenticeship, he was then licensed as a funeral director and began working full-time for the funeral home in 1993. He is the fourth generation in the Beane family to join the firm.

Curtis T. Beane, youngest son of Russell Beane, graduated from Mount Ida College in Newton, MA in 1996.