About Us
My grandfather William C. Hans began his work in funeral service when he was in high school around 1902. He worked for one of the local undertakers, J.J. Pender, located on lower Madison Ave. in Albany. In 1922 he opened our funeral home on the lower level of the family homestead, at the corner of Jefferson and Eagle Streets in Albany. In 1950, he and my father John J. Hans moved the funeral home to the site of the former Foll Funeral Home on South Pearl St., at the foot of Second Ave. After my grandfather’s death in 1960, my father continued the search that he and his father had begun for a new location for the funeral home. In 1967, my father opened the brand new building at our present location. He added a major addition to the building in 1986. I joined my father in the business in 1990. After his unexpected death in 1991, I continued updating our facilities and services and providing funeral services for our loyal families. – Stephen Hans
Our Staff
Stephen P. Hans – Funeral Director – Steve was born in Albany and educated at Cardinal McCloskey Memorial High School, Hudson Valley Community College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. At RPI, he earned a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a mechanical engineer for IBM Corp. and then General Electric Company. During that time, he obtained a Professional Engineering license. After gaining his degree in Mortuary Science, Steve joined his father John at the funeral home in 1990 and took over the management of the business in 1991. He then became an adjunct instructor of Mortuary Science at Hudson Valley Community College, and currently teaches one class in the chemistry department of Christian Brothers Academy. Steve is married to Laura Breedlove Hans, and they have three children: Kristen, Brian and Shane.
John J. Waterson – Funeral Director – John was born in Albany, and educated at Cardinal McCloskey Memorial High School, the College of St. Rose, where he earned a bachelors degree in business administration, and later Hudson Valley Community College where he earned an associates degree in mortuary science. John is Steve’s cousin, and grandson of William C. Hans. John works full time as a Principal Examiner for the Albany County Department of Social Services, and part time for the funeral home. Like his late uncle Frank Waterson, John is a supporter of youth sports and coaches basketball for All Saints Catholic Academy (formerly Holy Cross Grade School), AAU Basketball and youth soccer. He is a former member of the board of directors of the Albany Youth Soccer League. John began his service at Hans Funeral Home in 1988. He is married to Deborah Voigtlander Waterson, and they have daughters Casey and Cara.
Thomas B. Washock – Funeral Director – Tom was born in south Troy, and educated at Troy High School. He served in the U.S. Navy as a gunner’s mate aboard the U.S.S. Suribachi AE-21, after which he was employed by several medical supply companies. Tom completed his Mortuary Science degree in 2007, and joined Hans Funeral Home upon becoming a licensed funeral director in 2009. Tom also works part time as a waiter at Valente’s Restaurant in Watervliet. Tom is a big fan of youth sports, especially baseball. Tom’s oldest son is Joshua, and Tom and his wife Lynn live in Colonie with their sons Jonathan and Jacob.