| |
|
|
|
|
 |
Jeffrey Hobbs has been in the funeral business for nearly 30 years and is currently owner and president of the Hobbs Funeral Homes. He is the second generation to direct the organization.
He began learning the business from his parents, the founders of the home, Frank H. Hobbs, Sr. and Elizabeth A. (Betty) Hobbs. The company began in 1941, and serves families of all faiths. Betty Hobbs died in January of 2006 but her legacy lives on in her son, Jeffrey Hobbs, and her grandson, Jeffrey D. Inman, also a licensed funeral director, who represents the third generation of leadership at the home.
Jeff Hobbs, a native Mainer, went to South Portland High School and was graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, with a degree in history in 1975. He received his initial training in mortuary sciences from the New England Institute in Boston in 1980.
He is a member of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club, a 25-year member of the Hiram Lodge, attends the First Congregational Church and works with other local organizations.
Jeff resides in Cape Elizabeth with his wife Susan and their three children, Randall, James and Elizabeth.
Jeff says, “We have worked hard for three generations to serve our communities. We pledge to remain an independent, family-owned funeral home into the future.” |
| |
|
 |
Jeffrey D. Inman, grandson of founders Frank Hobbs, Sr., and Elizabeth Hobbs, completed his national and state board exams and a medical procedures exam in 2000 and is a full-time funeral director at Hobbs Funeral Home.
Jeff has worked nearly 12 years in the funeral business and previously served at Hobbs as an apprentice. He represents the third generation of the Hobbs family. Jeff Hobbs says, “I’m really proud that Jeff joined us to continue the family line in our business.”
As a licensed funeral director, he is responsible for arrangements, preparations, and other aspects of memorialization.
Jeff holds an associate degree in environmental technology from Southern Maine Technical College and his degree in mortuary science from Mount Ida College in Newton, Mass., where he was inducted into the National Morticians Fraternity based on his high grade point average.
He is a member of the South Portland Lions Club, Portland Elks, Hiram Lodge, and St. Albans Episcopal Church. He is a graduate of Deering High School and makes his home in South Portland with his wife, Cecilia, and son Lucas and daughter Cara Marie. |
| |
|
 |
Tim has been involved in funeral service in the Portland area since 2002. He holds a B.S. degree in business management from Thomas College and is a Cum Laude graduate of Mount Ida College with an A.S. degree in funeral service.
Away from work, Tim enjoys hiking and camping with his family and playing soccer.
He began his career in funeral service in the western Massachusetts area prior to moving to Maine. Tim now resides in Portland with his wife Megan, son Barrett and daughter Maizie. |
| |
|
 |
Hobbs also named Katelyn Estes to its growing staff to serve as a part-time apprentice while studying for her funeral director licensing exams.
Katelyn worked for Smart and Edwards Funeral Home in Skowhegan prior to beginning her studies at the FINE Mortuary College in Massachusetts.
Her primary duties include training for family interviews and services, assisting with funeral services, driving, maintenance and administrative duties.
A resident of South Portland, she grew up in North New Portland and was graduated from high school in North Anson, Maine, and has attended the University of Maine, Farmington, working toward her degree.
Katelyn is happy to be at Hobbs and says, “Working here has made it easy to transition into South Portland. I never had a job where I felt so at home.” |
| |
|
 |
Lucius “Lu” Schurman celebrated his 20th year of service to Hobbs Funeral Home in December of 2005. Owner Jeffrey Hobbs says Lu has been a mainstay of the business for all those years.
Lu, 83, a licensed funeral attendant since 1983, has over the years been a greeter, handled administration, assisted with funerals, done groundskeeping and other functions. He now works only part-time with Hobbs.
Jeff Hobbs says, “Lu knows just about everyone. There’s hardly anyone who comes in here that Lu doesn’t either know or at least knows a family connection. He’s been in this business for a lot of years.” Says Lu, “People love to see someone they know.”
He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and later, for 25 years, worked for a food store chain in the area and became department manager. He then worked for two years for a funeral home in Scarborough and Portland where he was taught the business by good friend George Mosher who is also a part of the Hobbs family.
Lu says, “I look forward to coming to work here with this crew. They’re great people. Betty {Hobbs, founder of the business with her husband, Frank, Sr.} was a wonderful woman. This family has treated me very well. Jeff and Betty helped so many people and do so many good things in the community.”
Jeff Hobbs adds, “Lu and his wife have personally suffered grief in their lives and it helps Lu to help others.”
Lu and his wife, Marjorie, make their home in South Portland. |
| |
|
 |
Jonathan James Cagney joined the growing staff at Hobbs as a licensed funeral director in 2010.
Jonathan was an attendant and also apprenticed in the funeral business at another Portland-area funeral home prior to gaining his certification as a licensed funeral director in 2008. Prior to that he worked in a variety of capacities including medical records specialist, and paralegal intern.
He holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Baltimore and was graduated in 2008 with an associate degree in funeral services from New England Institute in Massachusetts.
His primary duties currently include assisting with funeral services, and daily operations of the funeral home.
Jonathan, who is a grandson of famous actor James Cagney, says, “It is totally different here at Hobbs. Here I’m given more opportunity for training and learning. It’s been a nice change of pace for me.”
Born in Newport, RI, and currently a resident of Portland, his hobbies include audio equipment, movies, and guitar. |
| |
|
|
