Our Staff

Our Staff


Meet the experts behind Funeral Home

Chester J. Demko  (1948-2019)

Founder & Owner/Licensed Director

Email: SuffieldFuneralHome@gmail.com

Website: SuffieldFuneralHome.com

Office Phone: 860-668-0255

Fax: 860-668-0256


Chester J. Demko founded Heritage Funeral Home in 1976. A graduate of Suffield High School in 1966, Chet attended Simmons School of Mortuary Sciences and Embalming in Syracuse NY in anticipation of opening his own business in his home town of Suffield. He served his apprenticeship at Maple Hill Chapels in Hartford. In 1973 his dream became a reality when Chet purchased a former corn field in the geographic center of Suffield and began designing the funeral home. Chet, and his wife Gayle, have owned and operated The Heritage Funeral Home since its grand opening in April 1976.


Chet's sincere passion for helping people began at a young age, serving on the Suffield Police Department as a supernumerary in the 1960's.  He also volunteered with the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance and the Suffield Zoning Board of Appeals and the West Suffield Design Review Board. He was a member of St. Joseph Church, the Lions Club, the Suffield Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Suffield Jaycees, former member of the Suffield Rotary Club, and was a 3rd degree lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.  Chet and Cheryl worked together as funeral directors for twelve years prior to his passing on April 15, 2019.

Cheryl E. Demko Morello

Director/Embalmer/Grief Counselor

Office Phone: 860-668-0255
Fax: 860-668-0256

Cheryl Demko, joined her father as a second generation licensed funeral director and embalmer in 2005.

Previous work experience includes education, social work and crisis counseling in the mental health field. She has received her bachelors’ degree in Biology and Health Education from Springfield College and her degree in Mortuary Science, Business Management and Occupational Studies from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service of NYC. Cheryl finds her work rewarding as she is able to educate entire
families and help individuals though difficult times. She is truly a special part of our team.

Cheryl realized early in her career that she wanted to do something with her life that would help whole families in need, not individual family members. She began volunteering when she was a middle school student at the Suffield House working in their therapeutic recreation department. Cheryl attended Suffield Academy and continued her volunteering, realizing she especially enjoyed working with the elderly and their families.  
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