POTSDAM -- After 55 years of service in Potsdam and surrounding areas, Seymour Funeral Home is under new ownership.

Chad W. Green, owner of Donaldson Funeral Home in Massena, has purchased the firm, which will continue operating as Donaldson-Seymour Funeral Home.

Carl Seymour has been involved in the Potsdam-area funeral service since 1949, but officially opened Seymour Funeral Home with his wife, Evelyn, in 1961. Their son Glenn became part of the operations in 1977.

“Now after of 55 years of locally owned, operated, and dedicated service to the Potsdam and surrounding communities, the Seymour Family has chosen a family friend, Potsdam native, and sole owner of the Donaldson Funeral Home in Massena, Chad W. Green, to carry on the traditions and friendships that we have forged throughout these years as its new owner,” said a release announcing the ownership change.

“The Seymour family wishes to thank the hundreds of families that have supported and trusted them to care for their loved ones and are honored to be ‘passing the torch’ to Chad and his willing staff to continue and build upon the friendships they have forged since 1961.”

Although the Seymour family has sold their business, they will remain actively involved, with Glenn continuing to manage the firm. Carl and Evelyn will continue to greet their friends as their health permits.

“This sale will allow them to enjoy more time with their families, enjoy summer days on the lake, and good health,” the release says.

While Seymour Funeral Home has a long history serving the Potsdam area, Donaldson Funeral Home has a similar presence in Massena.

Green said he looks forward to coming back to Potsdam to serve his hometown as “the only locally owned and operated funeral home with over 150 years of combined service in the funeral profession.”

Seymour Funeral Home

Since 1949, the Seymour family has been serving the funeral needs of the Potsdam and surrounding communities when Harrisville native Carl Seymour joined the Clarke and Foote Funeral Home in Potsdam continuing until the death of the owner, Hanley Foote, in 1960.

In April 1961, after the encouragement from many members of the Potsdam community, Seymour, along with his wife, Evelyn, opened their funeral home at their residence at 4 Cedar St.

With one car, one viewing room, and no furnishings, they truly started with the help of Emma Goolden at the Mann Funeral Home in Madrid and Ben and Vera Nichols, owners of the Nichols Funeral Home in Ogdensburg.

At the encouragement of her husband, Evelyn enrolled at Simmons School of Mortuary Science, where she graduated in 1967 and later joined her husband in the operation of their business. They were joined by their son Glenn in 1977.

Throughout the years, they have grown to three parlors, arrangement office, casket selection room, fully handicapped accommodations, and ample off street parking making the Seymour Funeral Home a pillar of the Potsdam community.

Donaldson Funeral Home

Founded in 1937 by Vernon Donaldson, continuing throughout the years with the assistance of his sons, David and Gary and long-time employee and Raymondville native, Bruce P. Bombard with Chad joining the staff in 2000.

In 2010, Green purchased the funeral home, with additional directors Jane Tarbell and Brian Eddy and most recently Brendon Hardy.