OUR TEAM
Robert E. Shure Funeral Home is built upon the commitment and expertise of our staff. We have chosen this profession because we are proud to assist families making a very difficult situation as bearable as possible, so they may focus on honoring their loved ones while we create a service to act as a comfort for the survivors throughout this difficult time…and for the rest of their lives.
We are proud of our dedication to continuing to foster the richness and beauty of the rituals that our Jewish laws, traditions and heritage teach us. And we are grateful to be in a position to assist families as they make some of the most emotionally difficult and unbearable decisions with which they will be confronted. We do our best to help them honor their loved ones, observe the Jewish traditions to the extent to which they feel most comfortable, and perhaps more importantly, at all times ensure their emotional and physical well-being to the best of our ability.
James M. Shure was born and raised in the Westville section of New Haven. After receiving his B.A. in English Literature from George Washington University, Jimmy went on to Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences for his M.A. in Literature of England. He then received his L.E.F.D. with Honors for academic excellence from the American Academy-McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science.
As you can see from his education, Jimmy wasn't originally headed into funeral service. It was for no other reason than it was never an option. Though his father, Bob, had founded the funeral home in 1939, he never had plans for his son to follow in his footsteps. Things changed! Nearing completion of his graduate degree at Georgetown, Jimmy discussed his future wishes with his parents, who actually, reluctantly, acceded to his request. So three weeks after completing his Master's work, he began studies at the American Academy-McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science in New York. Upon graduation with honors, Jimmy completed his two year apprenticeship, successfully passed the State of Connecticut examination and has been in charge of the day to day operations of the Robert E. Shure Funeral home ever since.
Jimmy has always been involved in community activities. He thoroughly enjoys the work necessary to keep not for profit agencies vital and strong to make sure they have the money necessary to do the jobs they need and must do. His strong ties to the State of Israel had him lead two missions and travel on a third. He was proud to co-chair along with Helaine Lender the very first Super Sunday event that the New Haven Jewish Federation held many, many years ago. For Jimmy, it was never a matter of "counting other people's money" as far as soliciting a gift for charity. It was his need to instill a genuine desire to care in that person to want to do "something" to help, no matter how big or small.
So whether it be the Jewish Community Center, the Yom Ha-Shoah Program, Congregation B'nai Jacob, Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation (where he has a stem-cell research fund), Community One, Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, and various professional and civic organizations, Jimmy enjoys spending his "free time" dealing with the issues facing our community locally and abroad.
John Hogan has been with us since 1980. While focusing on managing the funeral home, he also handles all matters pertaining to veteran affairs. John has been active in numerous charitable endeavors throughout his life including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, West Haven Twilight softball league, serving as a board member of the Leukemia Society, acting as a fundraising committee member for Yale Children’s Hospital, and was formerly a Captain of the Allingtown–West Haven volunteer fire department. Most of all, John upholds the standards and beliefs associated with the Shure family name as if it was his own.
Terry Ferraiolo has been an important member of our "family" for more than 45 years. He has been a fatherly figure to both Jimmy and John, as well as to many of the families we’ve served. And as such, he knows so many of the people who walk through the doors of the funeral home.
George Menta Sr. became affiliated with the funeral home in Spring of 1988. He is a graduate of Amity High School, as well as American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. He is a licensed funeral director and assists Jimmy with transfers, as well as helping to direct funerals.
George Menta Jr. is graduate of Amity High School and Briarwood College with a degree in mortuary science. Like his father, he assists Jimmy in transfers, as well as arranging and conducting funerals.
Dick Austen joined our team in 2001. In addition to being that the jack–of–all–trades who helps the company run smoothly, Dick also greets each family who walks through the door.