Staff

Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.

photo
John J. Stretch III President (deceased)

1935-2020

He was born and raised in Havertown. Married Elaine Arenz of Ardmore, Pa. He is the father of John J. "Jay" 4th, Cheryl Northey, Linda Crossan, Timothy, and Christopher Stretch. John is a member of St. Denis R.C. Church in Havertown. He graduated from St. Denis School in 1949. Graduated from Malvern Prep in 1953. John then graduated from Temple University with his degree in Mortuary Science. 

John is the current president of the Oakmont Fire Company and has been a fireman for over 47 years. John was the past president of the St. Denis Youth Athletic Association and Haverford Township Little League. He was voted to the Haverford Township Little League Hall of Fame in 2000. He was also the District Chairman at the Boy Scouts of America. John was selected "Outstanding Graduate of St. Denis School" at the school's 75th Anniversary.
He was honored at St. Denis Football Homecoming for all his work with their sports programs on October 9, 2010.
John is also a member of the Cheese Club in Havertown and a 4th degree Knight of Columbus Bishop Kenrick Council. 

photo
Timothy J. Stretch Funeral Director Tim@Stretchfuneralhome.com

Tim is a licensed funeral director.  He was born and raised in Havertown and now lives in the Ardmore section of Haverford Township. Tim graduated from St. Denis School in 1979 and Archbishop Carroll in 1983. Tim attended Villanova University and graduated from McAllister Institute in New York City in 1989 with his degree in Mortuary Science. Tim was the secretary of his class. 

Tim is a member of St. Denis R.C. Church in Havertown. Tim serves on the board of Oakmont Fire Company. He is also a baseball coach at St. Denis, where he was past Region 15 CYO Baseball Commissioner. 

Tim's other interests include being a member of the Cheese Club in Havertown.

photo
Edward F. Powers III "Ted" Funeral Director

Ted has been a licensed fueral director since 1986 and has worked with the Stretch Family since January 1, 2002. Ted was the supervisor for another area funeral home for 15 years.

Ted grew up in Armore and graduated from St. Coleman's Grade School and Archbishop John Carroll High School. Ted earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. Ted graduated with his degree in Mortuary Science from McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science in New York City. He married Lori Stokes of Maple Glen, PA, a graduate of Villanova University on December 3, 1988. They have two children, Caitlin and Riley. Caitlin is a graduate of the University of Norht Carolina, Chapel Hill and is an Investment Banker in New York City. Riley is a graduate of Auburn University and works in Sports Marketing.

Ted has been an active firefighter with Merion Fire Co. of Ardmore since 1970 and also serves on the Board of Directors. Lori and Ted reside in Villanova and are active members of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish. 

Ted officially retired as a full timer on January 1, 2023. We wish Ted luck and alot of fun in his retirement and we would like to Thank him for all the years of service he has given our family and all the families we have been fortunate enough to help throughout the years!!

Stretch Funeral Home

photo
John J. "Jay" Stretch IV Supervisor jay@stretchfuneralhome.com

Jay has been a licensed funeral director for 40 years. He was born and raised in Havertown, Pa. and  resides in Springfield, Pa.. He is a member of St. Denis Church, in Havertown. He has 3 children; Erik, Brooke, and Sierra Stretch, all of whom attended Annunciation BVM School, Bonner-Prendertgast High School. Erik now is now a social worker for the Devereaux Foundation.  He is married to Cynthia Sabatini and they have a son, Benedict Colin Stretch and a daughter, Theodora June Stretch. Brooke is a graduate of Millersville University and now works for Merck Pharmaceutical Company. Brooke has one child, Madison Olivia Stretch. Sierra is a graduate of West Chester University with her degree in education. She was on the Dean's list at WCU. she was employed as a teacher in Palm Beach, Florida, but now works as a teacher in the Upper Darby School District, teaching at the Charles Kelly Elementary School.

Jay graduated from St. Denis School in 1974 and Archbishop John Carroll High School in 1978. Jay attended Paul Smith College of Arts and Sciences in Paul Smith, New York (Adirondack Mtns.). He graduated from McAllister Institute in New York City with his degree in Mortuary Science.

Jay is a member of St. Denis Parish. He had been coaching football for  35 years, serving as Head Coach of St. Denis School, Defensive Coordinator at Cardinal O'Hara High School and Archbishop Carroll High School and Monsignor Bonner High School and was Defensive Backfield Coach at Widener University, he coached up until he was forced to retire due to health reasons. He was past president of St. Denis School's Youth Activities Association. He had a 1st degree KOC Bishop Kenrick Council. He is now the supervisor of Stretch Funeral Services, Inc, a position he inherited after the passing of his Father, John J. Stretch, 3rd on February 24, 2020.

photo
Francis Ragazzone Licensed Funeral Director frank@stretchfuneralhome.com

Francis J. Ragazzone "Frank" has been a licensed funeral director since 1996 and has worked with the Stretch family since 2020. Previously, Frank was employed by two well established, reputable, family owned funeral homes located in Northeast Philadelphia.
 
Frank grew up in the Parkwood section of Northeast Philadelphia, is a 1984 graduate of St. Anselm's School, and Archbishop Ryan High School, Class of 1988.
 
Additionally, Frank attended Penn State University and graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City in 1995.
 
Starting his career in the funeral business at the age of 14, Frank worked summers with his father Mario (Superintendent of St. Dominic Cemetery in Philadelphia). While working with his father, Frank realized his passion for helping and caring for others that has resulted in an almost  40 year career servicing families in need.
 
Moving to Delaware County in 2008, Frank lived in Havertown and currently resides in Newtown Square where he is an active parishioner of St. Anastasia Parish.
 
Frank is the proud father of John Paul Ragazzone, currently a student at the St. Joseph Preparatory School in Philadelphia. In his free time, Frank enjoys watching all sports, especially college football. Frank and John Paul have recently started a father/son tradition, visiting one new college campus each year that includes a football game on campus. Frank and John Paul adopt the home team as their own and support that team to victory.
 
Frank is extremely proud of his Italian heritage and is a member of the Palombaro Italian- American Club (The Big Club) in Ardmore, Pa. He is also a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

 

John J. Stretch III

President (deceased)
photo

1935-2020

He was born and raised in Havertown. Married Elaine Arenz of Ardmore, Pa. He is the father of John J. "Jay" 4th, Cheryl Northey, Linda Crossan, Timothy, and Christopher Stretch. John is a member of St. Denis R.C. Church in Havertown. He graduated from St. Denis School in 1949. Graduated from Malvern Prep in 1953. John then graduated from Temple University with his degree in Mortuary Science. 

John is the current president of the Oakmont Fire Company and has been a fireman for over 47 years. John was the past president of the St. Denis Youth Athletic Association and Haverford Township Little League. He was voted to the Haverford Township Little League Hall of Fame in 2000. He was also the District Chairman at the Boy Scouts of America. John was selected "Outstanding Graduate of St. Denis School" at the school's 75th Anniversary.
He was honored at St. Denis Football Homecoming for all his work with their sports programs on October 9, 2010.
John is also a member of the Cheese Club in Havertown and a 4th degree Knight of Columbus Bishop Kenrick Council. 

John J. "Jay" Stretch IV

Supervisor
photo

Jay has been a licensed funeral director for 40 years. He was born and raised in Havertown, Pa. and  resides in Springfield, Pa.. He is a member of St. Denis Church, in Havertown. He has 3 children; Erik, Brooke, and Sierra Stretch, all of whom attended Annunciation BVM School, Bonner-Prendertgast High School. Erik now is now a social worker for the Devereaux Foundation.  He is married to Cynthia Sabatini and they have a son, Benedict Colin Stretch and a daughter, Theodora June Stretch. Brooke is a graduate of Millersville University and now works for Merck Pharmaceutical Company. Brooke has one child, Madison Olivia Stretch. Sierra is a graduate of West Chester University with her degree in education. She was on the Dean's list at WCU. she was employed as a teacher in Palm Beach, Florida, but now works as a teacher in the Upper Darby School District, teaching at the Charles Kelly Elementary School.

Jay graduated from St. Denis School in 1974 and Archbishop John Carroll High School in 1978. Jay attended Paul Smith College of Arts and Sciences in Paul Smith, New York (Adirondack Mtns.). He graduated from McAllister Institute in New York City with his degree in Mortuary Science.

Jay is a member of St. Denis Parish. He had been coaching football for  35 years, serving as Head Coach of St. Denis School, Defensive Coordinator at Cardinal O'Hara High School and Archbishop Carroll High School and Monsignor Bonner High School and was Defensive Backfield Coach at Widener University, he coached up until he was forced to retire due to health reasons. He was past president of St. Denis School's Youth Activities Association. He had a 1st degree KOC Bishop Kenrick Council. He is now the supervisor of Stretch Funeral Services, Inc, a position he inherited after the passing of his Father, John J. Stretch, 3rd on February 24, 2020.

Timothy J. Stretch

Funeral Director
photo

Tim is a licensed funeral director.  He was born and raised in Havertown and now lives in the Ardmore section of Haverford Township. Tim graduated from St. Denis School in 1979 and Archbishop Carroll in 1983. Tim attended Villanova University and graduated from McAllister Institute in New York City in 1989 with his degree in Mortuary Science. Tim was the secretary of his class. 

Tim is a member of St. Denis R.C. Church in Havertown. Tim serves on the board of Oakmont Fire Company. He is also a baseball coach at St. Denis, where he was past Region 15 CYO Baseball Commissioner. 

Tim's other interests include being a member of the Cheese Club in Havertown.

Edward F. Powers III "Ted"

Funeral Director
photo

Ted has been a licensed fueral director since 1986 and has worked with the Stretch Family since January 1, 2002. Ted was the supervisor for another area funeral home for 15 years.

Ted grew up in Armore and graduated from St. Coleman's Grade School and Archbishop John Carroll High School. Ted earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. Ted graduated with his degree in Mortuary Science from McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science in New York City. He married Lori Stokes of Maple Glen, PA, a graduate of Villanova University on December 3, 1988. They have two children, Caitlin and Riley. Caitlin is a graduate of the University of Norht Carolina, Chapel Hill and is an Investment Banker in New York City. Riley is a graduate of Auburn University and works in Sports Marketing.

Ted has been an active firefighter with Merion Fire Co. of Ardmore since 1970 and also serves on the Board of Directors. Lori and Ted reside in Villanova and are active members of St. Thomas of Villanova Parish. 

Ted officially retired as a full timer on January 1, 2023. We wish Ted luck and alot of fun in his retirement and we would like to Thank him for all the years of service he has given our family and all the families we have been fortunate enough to help throughout the years!!

Francis Ragazzone

Licensed Funeral Director
photo
Francis J. Ragazzone "Frank" has been a licensed funeral director since 1996 and has worked with the Stretch family since 2020. Previously, Frank was employed by two well established, reputable, family owned funeral homes located in Northeast Philadelphia.
 
Frank grew up in the Parkwood section of Northeast Philadelphia, is a 1984 graduate of St. Anselm's School, and Archbishop Ryan High School, Class of 1988.
 
Additionally, Frank attended Penn State University and graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City in 1995.
 
Starting his career in the funeral business at the age of 14, Frank worked summers with his father Mario (Superintendent of St. Dominic Cemetery in Philadelphia). While working with his father, Frank realized his passion for helping and caring for others that has resulted in an almost  40 year career servicing families in need.
 
Moving to Delaware County in 2008, Frank lived in Havertown and currently resides in Newtown Square where he is an active parishioner of St. Anastasia Parish.
 
Frank is the proud father of John Paul Ragazzone, currently a student at the St. Joseph Preparatory School in Philadelphia. In his free time, Frank enjoys watching all sports, especially college football. Frank and John Paul have recently started a father/son tradition, visiting one new college campus each year that includes a football game on campus. Frank and John Paul adopt the home team as their own and support that team to victory.
 
Frank is extremely proud of his Italian heritage and is a member of the Palombaro Italian- American Club (The Big Club) in Ardmore, Pa. He is also a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.