Shawn J. Stradford Honored for the Countless Ways He Serves Others
By Michael Anderson, Content Development Specialist
Shawn J. Stradford Sr.'s mother, the Rev. Yvonne Stradford, envisioned her son in a profession that would make a difference. Rev. Stradford believed her son could provide a fresh perspective and contribute to the local community, which was and still is woefully underserved.
Years later, Rev. Stradford’s vision came to fruition. In 2020, Shawn Stradford, the President, and CEO of West Brighton's Stradford Funeral Home for Funerals and Cremations, Inc., celebrated 20 years of dedicated service.
Stradford attended SUNY-Farmingdale and studied veterinary science before transferring to The University of the District of Columbia (UDC). He graduated UDC with a Mortuary Science degree, with Honors.
"Instead of being defeated, I relied on the tenets of my faith and the keys of my Masterclass -- resilience, preparation, and vision. I then reinvented myself to a wider market," he said.
Stradford started employment as a forensic pathology assistant for the Nassau County Medical Examiner's Office (NCME), becoming only the second African American appointed to that office.
Years later, Stradford encountered a tragic case involving a severely abused child. The case disturbed him, and he saw it as a sign to move on and start something new.
"I am a religious person, and I knew at that point that God was preparing me for His next plan. In my heart, God spoke to me and revealed my next assignment by telling me, 'This is not all that I have for you. There is so much more to do,'" Stradford said. "I submitted my resignation documents, remained at NCME for three more months, and then came to Staten Island to open up."
Stradford Home for Funerals & Cremations, Inc. opened in 2000 in a small location in Mariners Harbor. After one year and just eight funerals, Stradford relocated to Tompkinsville.
Locations aside, Stradford knew the key to long-term success was in establishing relationships and building trust.
"You have to earn the trust of every family. We are entrusted to the final care for someone's loved one, and that is an obligation to each family that I take seriously. I treat each family as if they are the only persons grieving at that time,” he said. “We never rush any family, and everyone is given the utmost respect and dignity as if they were my own family. As we know, death is final, so we strive to make that final chapter as pleasantly memorable as possible. Every funeral requires a copious amount of time and dedication from myself and staff from beginning to end, in order to provide a family a proper and dignified Homegoing for their loved one.”
As the funeral home and its owner developed a strong and trusted reputation within the community, more families relied on Stradford to handle their family services.
"The funeral home could only hold about 50 people and, as time went on, I realized when there were funerals, so many people would come from the community. When someone from the community dies, you would have 200-250 people showing up at your door," he said.
As the home’s reputation grew, it came time to expand once again. In 2015, the home relocated to its current address at 1241 Castleton Ave. in West Brighton. The new and significantly larger location was a Godsend, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when the home found itself inundated with deceased loved ones of grieving families.
"As COVID-19 ravaged New York City, conducting church funerals became almost non-existent. We were limited to what we could do on-site. The timeframe that families could have and then the influx of all the cases coming in was almost like someone just turned a light switch on, and the phones did not stop ringing for months. Had it not been for the size of this building, we never would have been able to accommodate as many families as we did, which were well over 200," he said. "We soon realized just how crazy and out of control things were when funeral homes from other boroughs, Westchester, New Jersey, and Connecticut called us to help."
To provide those extra services and keep his family and staff safe, Stradford spent his nights sleeping at the funeral home. Notably, since his mother and cousin – the funeral home's cosmetologist Carolyn Jackson – were older and within a higher risk bracket, he decided to keep them away from the facility and take on the extra duties.
"In my 20 years of owning this funeral home, my mom and cousin attended and served at every single funeral service. Always," said Stradford. "They have both sustained me, and I always knew that I was never alone, no matter what. I would never have been able to get to my 20th year without them. They were very instrumental in this business.”
“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the dedication of my team during that unprecedented time, namely, Maritza Rivera, Serena Robinson-Williams, Compton Richmond, Doug B., Tanisha, and Kima,” he added.
Needless to say, Stradford pushed through those intense times and provided families the closure they needed, even as many other funeral homes closed their doors.
"Looking back at it now, 20 years later, unbeknownst to most, I ran a marathon of sacrifice and pain, but nonetheless, the reward of standing with a family during a dark time in their lives is absolutely priceless and will forever be cherished,” Stradford said. “These 20 years have yielded such fulfillment for me, my family, the families I've been honored to serve, and my community."
For his accomplishments, Stradford is being honored with a Louis R. Miller Business Leadership Award, which he will receive in the Established Businessperson category. The awards -- which are presented by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and the Staten Island Advance -- honor the memory of Louis R. Miller, a businessman and West Brighton resident who was also a community leader.
As a West Brighton native, Stradford maintains a strong belief in helping his community, as evidenced by his contributions to school supply and clothing drives, and turkey giveaways throughout the years. To extend his reach even further, he created the Stradford Family Life Foundation five years ago and held his first-ever toy drive this past holiday season. While Stradford is ready to assist anyone in need, he remembers those families that walk into his funeral home.
"I do believe in giving back. Not every family has insurance. Not every family has the financial means. Funeral services are by no way cheap or inexpensive. We're always here trying to find ways to assist that family as much as possible," he said.
He takes pride in knowing that due to others' benevolence, the Life Foundation has been able to stand in the gap to assist families in meeting funeral expenses.
Stradford is also a founder member of Occupy the Block, a group aimed at deterring gun violence and street crime on the North Shore. While some people may not recognize his face, many are aware of his tactics. Stradford sends a powerful message when he shows up with a hearse and coffin.
"When a homicide happens in a community, it sends such a big ripple effect across the entire borough because Staten Island is so communal," he said. "It starts with a community base. Someone has to come out and say, 'I care, and I'm here.' You can't just tell individuals to put their guns down. You have to give folks a reason."
During these times, Occupy the Block members review academics, distribute information about gun violence and employment opportunities, or simply play a game of chess. Also, members of the New York Police Department attend and engage "on a relaxed level, which is another way to bridge the gap between the community and police department."
"Some of the kids out here have never left Staten Island or left the state even to know that there's something bigger than what you see or what you're doing out here," says Stradford.
Below, Stradford shares more about his goals, job, and life:
Current occupation and title: President/CEO of Stradford Home for Funerals and Cremations, Inc.
Hometown: West Brighton
Past occupations and titles: Forensic Pathology Assistant and was the second African American appointed to the Nassau County Medical Examiner's Office.
Community involvement: Founding member of Occupy the Block, a group of men that occupy the streets in challenged communities on the North Shore, speaking with young men to give them alternatives instead of hanging out in the streets. The conversation piece is a casket that signifies the possible result if they did not change their behavior; Turkey drives for those in need over the last 7 years; Stradford Family Life Foundation; Executive Board Member of Central Family Life Center; Silver Lake Lodge #59 and Silver Queen Chapter #43; Prince Hall Masons and Eastern Stars; Various charity work from clothing drives, feeding the community in need, back to school bags for children in need, and feeding the homeless.
Some of my life goals include: Seeing my son become a better man than me and watching him pay it forward.
The best part of my job: To be able to offer some level of comfort to the families that we serve. Understanding that as funeral directors, we are charged with trying to help our families through a dark time so they can begin to grieve.
The most difficult part of my job: To date: Helping families during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and shut down. Many families were inconsolable, mostly due to the inability to be with their family members when they passed away. Then the limitations on gatherings at the funeral home which certainly impacted the community grieving process.
My life philosophy: We will all die one day. So, the goal is not to live forever but to create something that will.
I am most proud of: My son, Shawn J. Stradford II.
Something that no one knows about me: The nickname my mother gave me!
Personal interests and hobbies: Golf, sitting by the water, thinking, and thanking God for my life and family. My interest is certainly community uplift.
I laugh at: Myself.
I am really good at: What God has blessed my hands and heart to do as a funeral director.
I admire: My parents, Rudolph and Rev. Yvonne Stradford.