All of our licensed directors adhere to the highest standard of ethical practices and are committed to ensuring that all of your needs are attended to. Their commitment to the community and genuine compassion toward families are but a few of the characteristics that make them outstanding in their field. We are proud to have them on our staff.
Nicholas F. Cognetta, Sr. (1927-2005), Founder/Funeral Director/Embalmer
Nicholas F. Cognetta Sr., founder of Cognetta Funeral Home, was in the death care industry for 57 years. Born and raised in Stamford, he attended Villanova University upon his graduation from Stamford High School in 1945. Nicholas had served the Stamford community as a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 50 years in his own business, until his passing in August 2005.
Nicholas was a member of CFDA and NFDA and was a member of community organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, the Knight of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree, St. Mary’s Church, and St. Bridget's Church. He also served on the board of St. Camillus Health Care Center and Woodland Cemetery. Nicholas and his wife Naida have a son, 3 daughters, and 10 grandchildren
Nicholas F. Cognetta, Jr., Owner/Funeral Director/Embalmer Email: Cognettafh@yahoo.com Toll Free Phone: 888-386-4176 Office Phone: 203-348-4949 Fax: 203-348-4263
Nicholas F. Cognetta, Jr., is Owner and President of the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory in Stamford and Co-Owner of Raymond Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home in Norwalk. He was born and raised in Stamford and attended Rogers Elementary, St. Maurice, St. Gabriel Middle, and Stamford Catholic High Schools. Having spent his childhood living over the funeral home and working with his father, it was only natural that he would follow in his father’s footsteps. After graduating from Stamford Catholic High School, he attended the University of Connecticut and graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. He has been with Cognetta Funeral Home since 1979 having become a licensed funeral director and embalmer in 1981. He was instrumental in creating the Connecticut Crematory Corporation, which is located within Cognetta Funeral Home and is the only crematory in Fairfield County, opening in 1995. Partnering with Tom Cicalese, Owner of Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan, they bought Raymond Funeral Home in 2000 (now recognized as Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home). He then began All Pets Crematory & Remembrances in Stamford in 2003, which is the only pet crematory in Fairfield County and beyond.
Nicholas is a member of the NFDA, CFDA, and CANA, as well as a board member of the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Southwestern CT, Inc. He also volunteers his time to local charities and at New Canaan High School where he mentors the Future Business Leaders Class. He has a son, Christopher, who is planning on entering the funeral industry.
John F. Esposito, Manager/Funeral Director/Embalmer Email: Cognettafh@yahoo.com Toll Free Phone: 888-386-4176 Office Phone: 203-348-4949 Fax: 203-348-4263
John F. Esposito, Manager of Cognetta Funeral Home, was born and raised in Stamford. John graduated from Rippowam High School in 1969 and from Norwalk Community College in 1971 with an Associates degree in Science. He then went on to attend the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. John is a licensed funeral director and embalmer who began his career in funeral service with Cognetta Funeral Home in 1972.
John has two sons and is a member of St. Mary’s Church of Stamford.
Anthony J. Notaro, III, Funeral Director/Embalmer/Crematory Manager Email: cognettafhoffice@yahoo.com Toll Free Phone: 888-386-4176 Office Phone: 203-348-4949 Fax: 203-348-4263
The newest member of the Cognetta Funeral Home Staff, Anthony began in November of 2008 as an apprentice and became licensed in January of 2009 after attending Briarwood College and graduating top of his class. He has been involved in the death care industry since 2002 in New Haven County. He is very compassionate and enjoys helping others in his spare time, volunteering for various organizations and partaking in community events.
Jacqueline was raised in Naugatuck, CT and currently resides in Waterbury. She is a 1972 graduate of Naugatuck High School. Following her graduation in 1974 from Salve Regina College in Newport, RI she attended American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service and graduated in 1976. She has been in the funeral service business for over 30 years and began at Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory in March of 2005 and is currently on the Board of Directors for Briarwood College Mortuary Science. Jacqueline has two children, Erich and Elise, and one granddaughter.
