Our History
GOING BACK IN TIME
Our History
The history of DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home spans more than a century and reflects the hard work, resourcefulness, and dedication of several generations of the DeMarco and Stone families.
The story begins in 1921, when Michael DeMarco, Sr., newly discharged from the U.S. Army, opened his first funeral business in Schenectady’s Stockade neighborhood. After relocating to Hamilton Hill, he eventually invited four of his brothers to join him, forming the DeMarco Brothers Funeral Home with locations across New York State.
Michael’s son, Michael DeMarco, Jr., grew up in the profession, later becoming a licensed funeral director, Army National Guard medic, and community figure. Over the years, he expanded the family’s reach and developed a reputation for service, dedication, and ingenuity. He worked alongside Francis Stone, who married into the family and helped build the foundation of what would become DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home.
In the late 1940s, the DeMarco family purchased a former schoolhouse on Helderberg Avenue in Rotterdam and transformed it into a funeral home—complete with a newly built chapel that remains in use today. In 1954, a new funeral home was opened on the same property, physically built by Mike Jr. and Francis.
Generations of family leadership followed. New branches were opened, including the Guilderland location in 1993, and the firm also acquired the century-old White-Van Buren Funeral Home in Delanson. Michael Sr., Michael Jr., and Francis dedicated decades of work to shaping a trusted, community-centered funeral home known for dignity, generosity, and resilience.
As the years continued, family members such as Larry Noyes and C. Michael Hyrny joined the business, becoming licensed directors and helping grow the firm’s reach and capability. Their leadership helped preserve the legacy of commitment established by earlier generations.
Today, DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home remains proud to carry forward more than 100 years of tradition—serving Capital Region families with compassion, respect, and trusted care.
