About Us

Bernard C. Gray (Bernie) the owner and president of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc. joined Mr. Joseph V. Leahy in July 1988 after employment in funeral service in New York City and Westchester County , New York .

Born in Kingston , New York he was educated in Kingston Schools and graduated from John A. Coleman High School . He entered the Mortuary Science program at The State University of New York at Farmingdale. He graduated in 1980 and was licensed in New York to practice in 1981.

Active in the community, Bernie was a member of Kiwanis, served on the Board of The Boy's and Girl's Club of Kingston, a member of Division One Ancient Order of Hibernians (past grand marshal of The St. Patrick's Parade), Kingston Council 275 Knights of Columbus. He is currently President of The Town of Esopus Little League.

Bernie and his wife Beth have three children, William, Nathaniel, and Anna Sophia, and live in Town of Esopus.

Harry VanVliet IV joined the staff of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc. in July 2005 as an apprentice funeral director, and achieved his NYS license to practice in December 2005. He has earned the recognition as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (APFSP).

He graduated in 1998 from the Mortuary Science Program at Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY, earning an A.A.S. degree and achieved academic honors. He is the recipient of the college’s “Mortuary Science Award for Leadership and Professionalism”. He is a member of the National Funeral Director’s Association (NFDA), and American Society of Embalmers (ASE).

Harry has served in law enforcement, rising through the ranks with the Ulster County Sheriff Captain of Police Services. He has also served as Secretary for the Ulster County Chiefs of Police Association, Inc. since 2002.

Harry and his wife Gina (Bono) are life-long residents of the Town of Esopus, and have two children, Taylor and Matthew.