Customer Testimonials & Reviews

Your impression of the quality and value of our services is very important to us. We respectfully ask for your assistance in evaluating the services we provided, as this will enable us to provide the best possible care to others who turn to us in their time of need.

We appreciate your taking the time to write to us. Hearing success stories from the families we serve is what makes it all worthwhile!

Mr. James,

I don't have words to Thank You for your help, your trust, and patience.

All My Regards... Stay Well,

Gloria

From: Rhonda

Dear James,

The sudden loss of my mother has proven to be a difficult and on-going adjustment period to fill a void.

I want to thank you for your kindness, support, thoughtfulness, generosity and professionalism during this time! Your friendship means a lot to me.

From:  Lowell, Assistant Chief NY Police Commissioner's Office 

Dear Mr Donofrio

Police Commissioner Rayomd W. Kelly has asked me to express his appreciation for your very thoughtful correspondence.

It is gratifying to learn the actions of Sergeant John Nucero, Sergeant Jeffrey Rinaldi, Police Officer Coleen Currie-Dillon, Police Officer Michael Panepinto, Police Officer Frank Lombardo and Police Officer Patrick Kelly of the 68th Precinct warranted your written comments and commendation. Your kind remarks will be brought to the attention of Chief of Department, Joseph J. Esposito, Chief of Patrol, Nicholas Estavillo and included in the permanent records of the officers concerned.

From:  Maggie

Dear James

Thank you again for your kindness and compassion.Hope you know how special you are to our family. All your efforts to make these difficult times easier (and with class) are sincerely appreciated.

From:  Antoinette & Family

Dear James

Thank you so much for making a very difficult situation bearable. Your guidance and support helped everyone focus on mourning our Uncle.

I'm sure Uncle Joe was very happy that you did such a great job.

From:  Ronald

Dear James

I am writing to you because you have been proposed to me as a competent and trustworthy candidate to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Chapel of St. Rosalia and Columbarium here at the Basilica of Regina Pacis.

This new project includes the restoration of the Basilica as a worship area and the addition of a Columbarium for the dignified safekeeping of the cremated remains of loved ones.

The Board of Trustees which I will chair will be responsible for implementing and supervising the policies and procedures of the Columbarium. A draft of these has already been developed by my legal counsel and submitted to the Bishop for his approval.

The Board of Trustees will meet approximately 3 times a year.  am asking you to serve for a term of 2 years.

Please consider offering your time and talent to assist me in this important project. 

I am very grateful for your openness to this invitation.

From:  Rosa

Dear Gus and James

I can't thank you enough for your compassion, patience and humanity in helping our family say goodbye to our treasured daughter Grace. It was such a traumatic event to bury a two year old. You helped us in so many ways.

Your flexibility in setting up the funeral ceremony brought calm to a chaotic time and created a beautiful memory of Grace. your thoroughness in guiding us through the Burial Claims process through the City of NY HRA Services helped take the financial burden off of the family. Your patience in waiting for payment showed how committed you are to helping families through the most difficult time in a family's life, burying a child.

In closing we so appreciate your assistance during this time of need and send you our heartfelt thanks.

From:  Rosemarie

Dear Gus

My family is so grateful for all the help you have given us with my Mom's gravestone. We feel like you are a friend, having taken on our concerns as if they were your own. We appreciate how you communicated with the cemetery, set up the engraving and kept us updated as to any problems and timing. Not only did you go out and photograph the stone, you did it more than once.

For those considering using Blair Mazzerella Funeral Home, I highly recommend them. Their caring and personal interactions at difficult times are extraordinary. We had a very old stone which had not been engraved with the names of those interred. At first, we thought there were eight family members buried there. Then we found there were actually ten. That is a lot of names to be put on an old stone. Gus worked with us to get the names, the dates, the order and everything else and everyone involved coordinated to make this happen. We and our ancestors all applaud your outstanding effort.

Thank you, Gus, and all the other folks at Blair Mazzerella Funeral Home for allowing us to give our family members the recognition we so wanted them to have. You made what seemed like a daunting task so much easier. We so appreciate you.

From:  Michael

Mr. James Donofrio:

I am writing to express to you our sincere gratitude for the service provided to our family. The passing of our mom was difficult to say the least. The professionalism, courtesy and respect given to our family were second to none. The funeral director, Gus Caracappa, did a sensational job from start to finish. I could not believe how many people asked for his card at the conclusion of the services. At first, I didn't think we would be able to get through such an emotional time. On the day of the funeral, we left with a feeling that we couldn't have given our mom a better send off. Please send our best to Gus and may God bless you all.

From: Ronald

Dear James

Words could never adequately express the gratitude of me and my family for the extraordinary care and attention you provided to every aspect of my mother's funeral. From the first moment when I spoke to you moments after her death to the final embrace at her burial, I could not have asked for more from you and your caring staff.

Because you knew "Connie" your entire life, you were able to provide her with a final opportunity to gather with her family that was extraordinarily professional and yet caring and personal. I have no question but that everything  that was done, from her prayer cards to her casket, would have pleased her completely.

I realize that you care for families in these circumstances as matter of course. However, you should know how extraordinarily well you handled my mother's last days and we thank you for all your care and kindness.

From: Maria

Dear James

My family and I want to thank you for arranging my Dads funeral without any stress. You handled every detail perfectly.

We would not have been able to get through this without you.

From: Family of Bernard Harris

Dear Gus and James,

Words cannot express our gratitude, and appreciation for all you have done for us during our time of need...
Your support, assistance, sincere and heartfelt caring manner, as well as professional attitude truly helped the family deal with the loss and grief of our father -Bernard Harris..
We contacted the BBB online and expressed our sincere gratitude, appreciation, and great rating of your funeral home and services..
Thank you again, and God bless.

From : Judy Oliver-Wolfe

Thanks for your service you provided for my husband Neil Wolfe. On behalf Judith Wolfe & family we are thankful, enjoy doing business with you guys.

Dear James,

Thank you isn't enough. You are one of the best people I've ever met. I thank God that i have a friend like you. To me you're family! I will forever be grateful to you for the your love, compassion and generosity. Thank you always.

Love Veronica

Dear Gus & Staff,

I am so grateful to all of you and the support you showed my family and I. All of your help eased the pain of my dear Uncle. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you!

Love Veronica

March 1st, 2018

Dear James,

We want to "Thank You" for all you did for my Cousin & your friend George Capolina Jr. 

We also  want you to know how very much we appreciated you contacting his friends. Your heart was definitely in the right place.

I'm so happy that they, at least, put the cause of death as UNKNOWN. Both you and I & many others know he didn't commit suicide.

We just want you to know how much your friendship with Cousin & your sympathy + love for us meant to us. 

May God bless you & your whole family.

​Love Kathy & John

June 15, 2018

James is the greatest!

He took care of every detail regarding the cremation and distribution of my son, Brent's ashes in Amsterdam (his favorite city).

Thank you so much, James.

Marianne

August 12th, 2018

Dear James,

I would like to express my deep gratitude for all the help and advice you granted me in the very hard moments of my life. No one can ever be prepared for the death of his loved ones, especially when it happens far away in a foreign country. When your personal tragedy is multiplied by logistical worries as "where to go?"; "whom to ask?"; "where to get the money for this?"… Your thoughtfulness and readiness to find a solution in the most comforting way is very special, and is so very highly appreciated. I have no doubt, that all the kindness you spread will be returned back to you. Truly, words cannot express all that I wish to say. I wish only, again, to send you a heartfelt thanks for leading me through the darkness.

Maksim

August 12th, 2018

The only comfort our family was able to find in the passing of my dear brother was the care which we found in the hands of the Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home, at 723 Coney Island Ave. in Brooklyn, NY. The sensitivity that James Donofrio demonstrated in addressing our unique needs and the ultimate kindness that he displayed in taking on the burial of my late brother, a Holocaust survivor, is worthy of his induction into the Hall of Righteous Among the Nations. Mr. Donofrio committed himself to the herculean task of providing my late brother with a proper and dignified burial. Mr. Donofrio is not of the Jewish faith. Yet, his heart was so great that it provided a righteous end of life to a survivor who was unable to speak for himself at the time of his death. Mr. Donofrio spoke for all those that perished under the Nazi regime and died without a dignified burial. Mr. Donofrio made certain that my brother was buried alongside people of his faith. The serenity and peace of mind which our family has now been blessed with is the direct result of the concern and kindness displayed by Mr. Donofrio, which one could only expect from their own family member. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to James Donofrio, a righteous and honorable Man among Men.

Freda Carlinski 

March 29th, 2019

James,

Thank you so much for all your help and support in this difficult time for my family. I just got a text from Ukraine that grandma was released from airport to local funeral home, so like you said all went well.

You are one of a kind person,  thank you for baring with me and my family,  I know i draw you crazy, thank you so much!

Please let us know how much we owe you for today and either me or my dad will stop by to make a payment.

Sincerely,

Irina

May 9, 2019

James, 

Thank you for all of your help during this difficult time, it was very much appreciated. You made the arrangements and communication smooth, it was a pleasure doing business with you.

Thank you for all your help,

Kimberley Mullen

June 24, 2019

Dear James,

I wanted to thank you for giving us guidance during this difficult time. Your creative ideas & suggestions were so helpful in helping us make decisions. You have a special gift with people & that is why you are successful. 

Take care of yourself & all the best,

Love Marilee

June 24, 2019

Dear James, 

I wanted you to know how comforting your words were to me, during a difficult time.

Your hard work and dedication is appreciated.

Thank you Mary

January 27, 2020

To Gus, 

My name is Dianna Woodson, daughter of Alma Gibbs who's ashes were sent to me via mail.

I want to express how beautiful the urn is, blue and gold was my mother's favorite color's. I don't know how you knew this but thank you so very much in taking pride in the choice you made for her.

I've decided to put the urn on the mantle over the fireplace instead of burying it. 

Words can not express how appreciative I am.

Dianna Woodson

June 24, 2019

Dear James, 

We are so grateful & thankful by your kindness & helpfulness during such a difficult time for me & my family. 

You were there for us every step of the way & we are blessed with your friendship. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts....

February 13, 2020 

Dear James,

We cannot thank you enough for all you have done on our behalf. Your professionalism and guidance through this arduous process. (Especially surrogate court!)

Enabled us to get through this difficult time. Your kindness has touched us deeply.

With sincere appreciation, 

Guss and Alicia

January 15, 2020

To whom it may concern;

I, Maria Watson, the wife of the late Arthur Watson, want to express special thanks to the staff of Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home for the splendid job that they did on January 3, 2020 for my husband's funeral. It was well put together and timely manner.

On behalf of myself and family, I want to thank you for a job well done and will do business with you again.

Your's Respectfully,

Maria Watson

March 16, 2020

Dear James,

I feel so grateful to have you as a friend! Words can't express how much you helped us through this crazy time in life.

God bless you always,

Love Karen, Billy & Family

March 16, 2020

James;

Thank you for your kindness and consideration. Thank you to the staff  for all their help. I will always be grateful!

Wilde & Shorty Family.

May 15, 2020

Hello my darling for Arturo Cantero they're want the white casket ok and thank you so much for everything you have done really good with all this pandemic situation and all of my families have texted me giving thanks to you guys because they had friends who weren't fortunate to have your service and some till this date don't even have their loved ones cremated and they made arrangements before my families

Good job honey bunny and thanks a million  

On behalf of my family and friends I thank you for all your good work at this most difficult and holy of times.  Everything was just as I would have hoped for and more.  The check I gave you is all set to be cashed.  I send you my best wishes and deep appreciation.

Sincerely,

Jill Benzer

March 11, 2021

My mum and I visited the funeral home to make arrangements for my baby boy cremation.

Mr James Donofrio was extremely helpful, compassionate and empathetic towards us during this heartbreaking situation.

We pray that God will continue to bless him and we are so grateful that God led us to him to help with my sons remains. Words can’t even express the gratitude and amazing service Mr Donofrio gave us. His heartfelt words will always be remembered and I left there knowing that my son was In great hands. Thank you so much! And may you forever be abundantly blessed.

S&P

March 12, 2021

Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home is the ultimate experience in providing top quality funeral services. I would give them a five (5) stars rating . I would like to extend my great appreciation to James Donofrio and the staff of Blair Mazzarella funeral home for being courteous, caring and kind.

I have recently lost my baby grandson which was very devastating . James Donofrio has made a very traumatic time in my family's lives as comforting and worry free as possible James was very compassionate ,honest warm and courteous. he made us feel as if we were family .James you have been a blessing to us. I pray your company will be blessed continually so you can continue to provide top quality services to your clients. Thank you for your gracious service to my family and I.

Plascette Armstrong

June 7, 2021

Dear James,

We are so grateful & thankful by your kindness & helpfulness during such a difficult time for me and my family. You were there for us every step of the way & we are blessed with your friendship.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts... 

Love Emil and Joanne.

June 7, 2021

James,

I cannot thank you enough for all of your help.

- PJ and Tasya

June 7, 2021

Dear James, 

On behalf of my mother and my family we want to thank you for your kindness, generosity, and care for my Dad and  the excellent service at his funeral... 

Fr. Robert speaks very highly of you and I can see why! 

- Mary

August 3, 2021

Dear James,

We are finally beginning the process of settling Elise's estate. Please note the check number on the payment, 101... The first check in the book, a symbolic gesture of our gratitude.

Since this nightmare began, you treated our family with kindness and respect. We were completely overwhelmed with everything involved in brining Elise home from Mexico and getting her buried in New York. You were available night and day. You supported us through the entire process. Every time I expressed a fear or concern, you said, "Don't worry about it!" 

I'm not sure how you did it , but you were able to find a plot for Elise right new her parents and even closer to her grandparents. It is of great comfort to know that they are all together. 

I'm sure this is how you treat all of your customers, but for us it was everything. We will forever be grateful to you for getting through this unimaginable time. 

Most Warmly, 

Robin & Paul

November 1, 2021

You are and always will be our strength, our courage, our shoulder and our our savior! & Our Family xxxx

You were there and you are there for us every step of the way. Your guidance, love and affection helped us get through the worst weeks of our lives. You presented our Son, Robert, with such perfection, and captured his presence of his time on Earth. I almost saw him smile wrapped in the arms of Jesus & Mother Mary!

You are our Angel on Earth

Love, Donna & Robert

November 1, 2021

James, 

Well, Thank You and the team at Blair for living up to my Mom's request of you. That you do as well for her as you did for my Dad. I know she was pleased, so were my Brother & I. 

Thank you for your gracious, compassion and honor. 

Everyone on the BM team was professional and kind, and despite the frequency with which BM does this, you manage to bring individualized authenticity to the provider of your service. From all of the funeral technicalities and logistics, to the closing care and comments at the graveside, 

All the best, and love, 

Joyce

November 19, 2021

Dear James,

I would like to thank you sincerely for your professionalism, perseverance, and patience in the matter of our friend, Albert Hutter.

Yours Gratefully, 

D.G.

February 10, 2022

To James, 

Ty James we can't thank you enough for all you did and how you  made this tough experience that much easier 

From,

Nicholas

To James,

The engraving in Dad’s casket was so beautiful…thank you for making it look perfect! 

I just want to thank you again for everything you did for my family this past week. You made the hardest things seem a little easier, and for that I will be forever grateful. You went above and beyond and I truly appreciate all you did from the bottom of my heart. My Dad had the beautiful send off he deserved. It’s still so surreal to me that he is no longer with us…I will miss him forever and my heart is broken.

Sending all of my love and appreciation. 

Warm Regards, 

Dena

March 24, 2022

Dear Mr. Donofrio,

Thank you for your aid in securing a place for our brother, Robert J. Neville Jr., to be buried. Cemetery of the Resurrection is lovely. We greatly appreciate your help. 

Thank you for your kindness in answering questions.

Sincerely,

G,

March 24, 2022

Dear Mr. Donofrio,

Many thanks for the numerous times you helped me after my brother Robert Neville, died. Thank you for explaining how things work at Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home, and especially for getting a priest. 

I appreciate you always.

G.

May 24. 2022

Hi James,

On behalf of my mom, we wanted to tell you a very big thank you. You have no idea what your help meant for us. I will never forget your words when we called and you told me: "Let's get your mom out from there"... 

We will forever be grateful of you for taking such good care of Mom. Getting her from the hospital even before she was taken downstairs in that horrible place. 

I'm not big with words to explain exactly how me and my sister feel, but one thing we know is we can never repay your amount of respect you gave to my Mom.

We'll forever be grateful, and knowing my Mom, she'll probably be giving you a huge hug!

Thank you so much!!!

May 24, 2022

I sincerely appreciate all you did on Peter's behalf and also very grateful for helping me during this sad and difficult time.

Barbara

August 8, 2022

Thank you so very much for your quick sympathetic and professional help in facilitating the burial of my mother's cremains - 18 years later! You are the very definition of getting things done in a N.Y. Minute!

Sincerely,

Janice.

March 6, 2023

Dear James !!!

Please accept  our parents sincerest thanks  for Your charity help  & for that great arrangements and funeral actions that you did for the memory of our son.  Thank You for Your respect and attention for our grief because we have lost  our only son. Thanks to all friends who shared our parents' grievous  loss and helped  to bring Victor's ashes to his motherland -Ukraine- Lviv to be buried .

Without Your  help  that was absolutely impossible for us because now we are lonely elderly  parents. For us You are like an "Angel from Heaven"!

Everything  that  You did for us  & for the memory of Victor gave us a saving hope ...... We are very grateful  & much obliged to You and everybody who helped us!

With appreciation for your  help

Faithfully yours,

Victor's parents

April 14, 2023

Dear James,

Thank you for your unwavering support & help during the passing of my father. I could not have done it without you. You made the grieving process much more manageable.

And I am forever grateful.

Love always & forever thankful,

Brittany & Mary

May 17, 2023

Dear James,

Just a moment to express my deep gratitude for your assistance and support on the day my son passed away. (April 13th - the last day of Passover).

You answered the phone immediately - took care of all necessary, difficult arrangements and your compassion and understanding made a profound impact on me and my family.

Losing a child is an unimaginable pain - however, you presence and support have lightened the burdon, even if just a little. Your dedication to your work and your commitment to helping families in their time of need is truly admirable.

Sincerely,

Esther.

July 17, 2023

Dear James and Gus,

Thank you again so much for everything you did for us, and for our father and husband Fred Whittum.  While it was a difficult and stressful time for us, working with you both was a bright spot, and we appreciate your going above and beyond.  The Green-Wood venue was beautiful, and the Navy honor guard you arranged did an outstanding job – they were truly inspirational. 

Sincere thanks for your help,

Mark Whittum

July 18, 2023

Dear James, Tara, and Anna,

We would like to thank for God for you, first and foremost. We thank Him for Blair-Mazzarella Funeral Home... Thank Him for putting you in the life of Larry Lewis.

We know God was in the midst of it all... All that took place.

Thank you for helping us through the funeral process from the very beginning... All your help!

We were overwhelmed with gratitude for your kindness and support. All that you did for our beloved brother Larry Lewis.

It was so comforting to learn and see what you had done for Larry... for us.

May God continue to bless you .

Peace and Love, 

The Family of Larry Lewis

P.S. Thank you for all you're doing in general.

August 25, 2023

So very grateful to Gus, Ana, James and Michael and other staff who were all very kind to my family and supported us in this very delicate time. The obituary was beautiful and very pleasing. I am very happy I chose Blair Mazzarella funeral parlor.

Thank you all. Blessings.

Norma and Mike

October 2, 2023

Dear Jamesy,

I cannot thank you enough for going above & beyond to support me in bringing culture, curiousity and community together in a space traditionally reserved for the hardest times of our lives. Your generosity brought folks from all walks of life together to explore the ways that death impacts us.

The art that makes us, as funeral directors special is our ability to usher people confidently through the most vulnerable & uncomfortable moments of their lives. Oddly enough, comedy isn't that different. Thank you for giving Ben the chance to show his art, which is one of ushering folk through vulnerable & often deeply uncomfortable moments, a place to thrive. 

I truly hope to be as caring & generous as you are when I grow up. Keep your eyes out for a package.

Love & light,

Lily Sage

March 11, 2024

Dear James,

We hope this email finds you well. We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for your professionalism and assistance during this incredibly challenging time for our family.

Your compassionate approach and genuine care have meant a great deal to us as we navigate through the process of bidding farewell to our beloved daughter and sister Oleksandra. Your attention to detail and dedication to your work have not gone unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for all that you have done.

Thank you immensely for your support and understanding. Your kindness, clear communication and support helped us a lot.

With sincere appreciation,

Family Mylobog 

April 15, 2024

Thank you so much, James. Everything was perfect!! Thanks to Anna too!  Anna is a special person. 

Ellen

April 29, 2024

Thanks again to you, Danielle, and James for all the wonderful service, assistance, and care you’ve provided during this difficult time. We had the memorial and celebration of life for my mom yesterday and getting to that point wouldn’t have been possible without your diligence and support, particularly the warm and loving transfer of cremains and documents from Danielle on Saturday.

I especially want to thank you for the amazing work on the HRA application, considering that’s technically not part of your duties or services as funeral directors!

​Be well and thanks again,

Dulce

May 9, 2024

Dear James,

Michael and I can’t thank you enough for all of the attention, preparation and detail that went into The Funeral for our Aunt Dorothy Crowley. The selection of Father Hamlin, The Flowers from Shannon, Your associates: Tara, Anna, and Daniela were so helpful that even the Security Guard from New Jersey was wonderful.

The webcam you provided made it possible for distant relatives to participate, between you and Ron the arrangements in the loss of our could not have gone better. Thank you again for all of your hard work and sensitivity to our concerns and please thank your Associates for us. Bless you, Pisces.  Truly Grateful we are,

The Grannum Family

May 24, 2024

Recently my mother in law passed away at home peacefully, at such a moment the level of preparedness is irrelevant to what reality is. At Blair Mazzarella funeral home, all our worries & needs were met with sensibility & compassion by their dedicated staff. From the moment we had the funeral services, to her final cremation at Greenwood cemetery, their professionalism & attention to detail was impeccable, kudos to Anne, Danielle & James (owner), you all went above & beyond, my wife & I are forever grateful & we definitely recommend this place to anyone that find themselves in the same situation.

Thanks,

Diego

July 10, 2024

Hi James,

For starters, thank you for how amazing you and your Dias has been. I’m in awe with regards to the dignity and compassion And with your staff have been treating me and my father so far during a difficult time. 

Warmest Regards,

Odile

July 24, 2024

Great God morning Mr. James,

I received my brother's Allan James death certificate in the mail yesterday. I am so grateful to you and your staff for your help in assisting me as I walked through this valley of the shadow of death from a distance.

You and your staff handled my brother's affairs with such a sense of dignity and decorum. Your courteous staff relayed messages to you and you always responded  expeditiously and addressed and responded to all my concerns.

I appreciate how you handled the scattering of my brother's ashes with such delicacy and care.

Sincerely,

Gemma Henry

August 25, 2024

Hi James…

Hope all is well. 

I wanted to thank you for all your help with my mom’s arrangements. It was a beautiful way to honor her and a wonderful send off.

Allison

October 22, 2024

Just to close off Bruce Woodruff’s death and cremation.

I wanted you to know that James Donofrio of the Blair-Mazzarella Funeral Home took exceptionally good care of me.
Being in St. Louis is was hard to know what to do and what to take care of from here.

Bruce had been born in New Jersey and had wanted a “green” burial i.e. his ashes spread over a crematory “garden” for people who wanted things that way in New Jersey.

Mr. Donofrio communicated with me throughout each step of the way, gave me good advice (how many death certificates to get - thank goodness) and followed up with me to make sure I was satisfied with everything they provided.

So I appreciated your referring me to them.  I would recommend them to the next family you are helping.

Thanks again for everything you did.  Our whole family appreciated your care and professionalism.

Sincerely,
JSG

October 22, 2024

Dear James & Danielle,

Words can not express how thankful we are for your help in this most difficult time. On behalf of our family, we wish to thank you for your professional services. We appreciate your kindsess and compassion.

I really don't know what I could have done without your help.

Sincerely,

Maribel