Area funeral homes merge services
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The Dengler and Roberts, and Perna-Pellegrino funeral homes recently merged and are operated by, front row, left to right, Michael Pignatora, David Dengler, Constance J. Perna-Pellegrino, and John Dengler; and back row, Daniel Dengler, Thomas Ortner, Gary Roberts, G. Brian Roberts and Liza Nicholas. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

The Dengler and Roberts Funeral Home has merged with Perna Pellegrino Funeral Home, adding to its list of locations.

Between the two, the businesses now have nine homes in Buffalo, Amherst, Kenmore, East Aurora and Bowmansville. Both businesses have a long history in the industry, serving generations of Western New York families.

The merger became official in August, although the Perna-Pellegrino homes, at 1671 Maple Road, Amherst, and 1306 Hertel Ave., Buffalo, will continue to operate under the same name.

Dengler and Roberts operate eight businesses under different names, which represents the many family owned businesses that have come together.

"We came together as one family, operating the group of homes," John Dengler, said about the recent merger.

Constance J. Perna-Pellegrino, a funeral director, grew up in the business; her father owned a funeral home on Massachusetts Street on the West Side of Buffalo, from 1955 to 1970. Her family lived above the home.

In 1963 a second location was built on Hertel Avenue, which is still in operation today. The name was changed to Perna-Pellegrino in 1997 when she purchased the family business with her former husband, Michael.

In 1998 the plan for a Perna-Pellegrino Funeral Home on Maple Road, near Youngs Road, was started, but it wasn't until December 2004 that it officially opened.

"Families were moving out this direction," she said about building the second location. "It's ideal, it's across from the largest Catholic Church (in the area), on a main road and central for surrounding communities."

Some of the families Pellegrino assists have been clients for generations, she said, adding that the families served are treated like family.

"We provide the family with respect and dignity," she added.

The Dengler and Roberts families were competitors in the 1940s, Dengler said. It wasn't until 1997 they merged into one company, which resulted in the closure of two locations because they were now only two blocks from other Dengler and Roberts homes.

Currently, Dengler's brothers, Daniel and David, are also funeral directors, along with Gary and Brian Roberts, Thomas Ortner, Liza Nicholas and Mike Pignatora.

The funeral homes operate through Dignity Memorial, a network of more than 1,000 funeral, cremation and cemetery providers in the United States and Canada. Dengler said through their affiliation, the funeral homes are able to offer several services, including bereavement travel and hotel discounts. They also offer a 24-hour compassion hotline where counselors can help those grieving.

Recently, the advanced planning service has grown in popularity as individuals want to make sure their families are protected.

For information, call the Perna Pellegrino Maple Road location at 632-8200 or call Dengler and Roberts at 636-1111.