Our Staff

Meet Our Caring Staff

Our staff is comprised of dedicated and licensed professionals with the experience to answer all your questions regarding our services. Please feel free to contact any of our staff members at any time.

A group of people are posing for a picture in front of a building.
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Christopher H. Powers

Manager & Lead Funeral Director

Christopher H. Powers “Chris” is a lifelong resident of the Valley. He was born in Northampton and has resided in Florence since 1998 with his wife, Pamela L. Powers (Northampton City Clerk) They have three children; Siobhan Grace, Eamonn Mark and Kavan Reid Powers. He began his career in Funeral Service in South Deerfield in 1982. In 1988 he received his degree in Mortuary Science and a bachelor’s degree in business. He has been licensed since 1988. In 2017, Chris was invited to partner and manage both Ratell & Tylunas Funeral Homes to provide experienced and dignified services to their families. Chris assumed the role of Manager and Lead Funeral Director with Ahearn Funeral Home in Northampton in 2023. Chris is looking forward to continuing the tradition of providing unparalleled service and dignity with these three Funeral Homes, who have a combined history of over 250 years serving families in Northampton, Chicopee, Springfield, and the Pioneer Valley. Chris is a member of the Green Burial Council (GBC) and a certified Green Burial Planner.

Chris has served as a former Disaster Mortuary team member, Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee Yellow Jackets, as Past President and presently a board member of the Northampton St. Patrick's Association, Florence Civic & Business Association Board member, Florence Holiday Lighting Committee & Summer Music series in Florence, Florence Parade Committee, South Deerfield Polish American Citizens Club, the Northampton Veterans Council and is a longtime community volunteer. He is an avid sports enthusiast, avid golfer and lifelong (dedicated) New England Sports Fan. He is a frequent traveler, especially Ireland, where he has gone with family and friends over 20 tours. Chris is a longtime dog owner and presently has two rescue dogs Dixie and Lou ( vision impaired ). Chris looks forward to a new era of Funeral Service, establishing relationships with families and continuing the quality care of the families he's served in the past throughout the Pioneer Valley.

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Traeci Stevens

Administrative Assistant and Office Manager

Traeci has lived in Western Mass her whole life, and currently lives in Hamden County with her husband. After leaving the corporate world, she was able to be home to raise her two daughters, while doing transcription for the local colleges and universities. She was excited to get back into the work field, and even more excited to be able to do it at Ahearn Funeral Home.Traeci is our valued Office manager and family support liaison.

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Emily C. Pontbriant

Funeral Director

Emily is a 2017 graduate of the Commonwealth institute of funeral service in Houston Texas attaining her associates degree in mortuary science. She started her career with Ahearn Funeral Home in 2023. Emily is a first generation funeral director and entered the business to help families through one of the most personal times in their life. She loves to travel and her favorite place to go is Disney world. She is a member of the Leed School PTO and the Florence Civic & Business Association. Emily resides in Northampton with her husband Chris, daughter Olivia and kinda cranky cat Binx.

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Robert J. Driscoll

Licensed Apprentice Funeral Director

Bob is a lifelong Northampton resident. He has worked at the Ahearn Funeral home since 2002, starting as a part time employee. He is a graduate of Westfield State University. After teaching middle school in the area for many years, he decided on a career change. He has been a licensed apprenticed Funeral director since 2023. He is currently enrolled in a mortuary science program in Troy, New York. Bob lives in Florence and is a member of the Northampton St. Patrick's Association and Northampton Country Club. Bob has researched genealogy for many years for a plethora of Northampton residents. He looks forward to continuing to serve the people of Florence, Leeds, Northampton and the surrounding area for many years to come.

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Michael T. Ahearn

Founder - In loving Memory 1965-2021