The Riverview Funeral Home has announced via press release that this December, Libby Funeral & Cremation Services will transition to Patrick Halvey at Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey. All business will be conducted from the Riverview Funeral Home location at 2 Beekman Street, Beacon. The Libby location at 55 Teller Avenue will be closed.

The plaque at Libby Funeral Home, which reads: “In Honor and Memory of Harrison S. Libby, 1936-2015 Founder and Previous Owner of the Libby Funeral Home. God Bless You and God Bless the United States of America.

Current Libby Funeral Home owner, Matthew Fiorillo, and General Manager, Joseph Schuka, stated, “This is the merging of two great legacy funeral homes in the city of Beacon. We have chosen Patrick and his team at Riverview Funeral Home because we trust them to continue caring for families with professionalism and to uphold our outstanding level of service. We believe the families of Beacon deserve nothing but the best and made this decision because we know it will have a positive impact on them.”

Riverview Funeral Home by Halvey is a third-generation business founded by Patrick Halvey’s grandfather, John Halvey in 1933. Patrick relocated the business to its beautiful location overlooking the Hudson River in 2017. The brand-new facility is elegantly appointed and features one of the largest viewing rooms in the Hudson Valley.

“I have immense respect for the legacy and tradition of Libby Funeral Home. As a homeowner in Beacon with extensive community involvement, I welcome the opportunity to service all members of our city with the comfort and care instilled by my father and grandfather,” said Halvey.

Riverview Funeral Home Used To Be In A House Also

Before relocating to Beekman Street, Riverview Funeral Home used to be in a house on Willow Street. It moved to its current location in late 2017, which they completely renovated after that property was a series of restaurants. According to Patrick Halvey, the third-generation son who was taking over the family business at the time, positioning funeral homes in neighborhoods was historically preferred by grieving families and well-wishers in times past.

Years ago, more parking spaces drew Halvey to the Beekman location. They have 36 marked spots in the new lot, with room for parking in back and front yielding another 12 spots, for a total of 48 [parking spots].

To contribute to Beacon’s walk-ability, Riverview Funeral Home extended the sidewalk near their property from a city-owned lot on 9D to Beekman Street to accommodate walkers to and from the train and Dia:Beacon. During their construction.

Flyer Artwork: Artist Unknown - Please Contact Us if you would like credit.
Photo Credit: Rebekah Azzarelli

Some Jews from Beacon hosted a human Menorah Lighting at Polhill Park on the last night of Hanukkah with the theme “Nobody Is Free Until Everybody Is Free: Lighting the Menorah For Solidarity and Peace.” The flyer for the this second lighting was distributed during the first lighting hosted by Chabad Beacon, which did not mention the genocide at all. This second lighting was in response to that.

The artwork for this flyer included the red watermelons and poppies, synonymous with Palestine’s liberation; peace doves, synonymous with the end of violence; the menorah; and the Star of David, which has come to be synonymous with Judaism, which is on the flag of Israel.

The Beacon Coalition group, which was formed during the Ceasefire movement in Beacon, also shared the lighting to their subscribers. A resident of Beacon who spoke out during that movement, Phoebe Zinman (see her Letter To The ALBB Editor here), was one of the organizers of this human menorah for freedom. Last year, at least 50 Jews from Beacon dedicated their 8th night of Hanukkah to demanding a ceasefire from NY Congressman Pat Ryan.

“Beautiful celebration,” said Rebekah Azzarelli to A Little Beacon Blog about this lighting. “Each candle lighting in the human menorah had their prayers.” In attendance were other citizens of Beacon, including Loren Miller, Dara Silverman, Arthur Camins and Tina Bernstein (listen to Tina’s podcast with ALBB, “A Jewish Voice Wanting To Be Heard Regarding Palestine And Israel” here), Ilana Friedman, Elizabeth Greeblatt, and others.