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Your Neighbors

Beyond their dedication to helping families honor their loss and celebrate a life, our staff are people living and contributing in the community.


Peter W. Ladner

President


Peter W. Ladner grew up in Easton, ME in the heart of Aroostook County, on his father’s potato farm.

After serving his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, he entered funeral service in the employ of J.S. Waterman & Sons, Boston before purchasing Brackett Funeral Home in 1973.

Upon arriving, he quickly became a fixture in the coffee shops and eateries of Downtown Brunswick—and has hardly ever forgotten a face or a name of any family or friend he has met.

Peter is a member of the United Lodge of Masons, the Kora Temple Shrine, and Brunswick Area United Way; he has served on the Board of Directors for Androscoggin Bank, the Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, Tedford Shelter, and Brunswick Area Hospice. Notably, he formerly served as President of the Brunswick Rotary Club, Independence Association, and Brunswick Area Red Cross.

He maintains his residence at the funeral home. His youngest son, Brandon, of whom he is extremely proud, lives locally under the care of the Independence Association.

Peter enjoys biking, boating, or most any activity involving a group. He recently caught the golfing bug, and already recorded his first (of hopefully many) hole-in-ones at the Brunswick Golf Course.


 
Peter Ladner
Peter Ladner
 

 

 

Christopher C. Ladner

Managing Director


Christopher C. Ladner, though having grown up at 29 Federal Street, funeral service isn’t all he’s known. Following graduation from Colgate University, NY, he pursued a career in teaching, later earning a MALS from Wesleyan University, Ct. Following a brief professional detour into New York City publishing, Christopher moved his family back to Maine in 2003 to follow in his father's footsteps.

In recent years, you may have noticed him on the sidelines or behind a bench. He enjoys the challenges of coaching and promoting local youth athletics. Annually, he heads fundraising efforts for the Hockey Alumni Cup Weekend, which benefits Mt. Ararat and Brunswick hockey programs.

Christopher holds an Associate’s Degree of Mortuary Science from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, PA, and is a member of the National Funeral Directors and Maine Funeral Directors Associations. Formerly on the board of directors for the Brunswick Rotary, he currently serves on the MFDA board of directors.

He and his wife, Ann, along with their five daughters and several pets are grateful to be living and sharing their lives with the Brunswick community.


 
Christopher & Ann Ladner
Hockey Team
 

 

 

Autumn R. Kramer

Senior Director


Autumn was born and raised in western PA just north of Pittsburgh. Although having no family in funeral service, she felt a strong calling early in life to the profession. She graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science with a specialized business degree. She has gained experience and knowledge in nearly every aspect of funeral service working in the greater Pittsburgh, PA area and Florida’s Pan Handle. Missing the northern climate, she sought personal and professional growth, moving to Maine in 2019. Once here, she found her work with families was given renewed purpose and revitalized her passion for helping those in need.

In communities she’s lived in, Autumn has formerly served as a member of local volunteer fire & rescue. She feels truly honored and privileged to be a part of the greater Brunswick community.

She is a dedicated CrossFit athlete, who enjoys hiking with her dog and spending time with people she loves. Autumn resides in Brunswick with her dog Louise and her cat Grace.


 
Autumn B
Autumn A
 

 

 

Caroline Daniel

Apprentice Funeral Director


Caroline is a lifelong resident of Harpswell, with a love of fishing, gardening, ice hockey and rugby.

Before pursuing a career in funeral service, you may have seen her about town, planting petunias, maintaining several of Bowdoin College’s floral beds, or tending to the gardens at the Schoolhouse restaurant in Harpswell.

After graduating from Mt. Ararat Highschool, she attended New England college in New Hampshire, where she studied Health sciences and went on to captain their Women’s Rugby team. She is now currently enrolled in the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, pursuing her degree and completing her apprenticeship to becoming a Maine licensed funeral director and embalmer.

When not in the funeral home, she lives and works with her fiancé Joseph, at his restaurant, the Schoolhouse, with their Great Dane, Birch.


 

 

 

 

Julia White

Attendant/Office Manager

 
Julia grew up in Kennebunkport and enjoyed sailing, biking and going to the beach. Her favorite summer jobs were working for Aunt Marie’s Ice Cream and the Kennebunk Book Port.After studying art and music at Bard College and Maine College of Art, Julia went to work for FedEx, making deliveries in the Brunswick area, which led to her moving to the area in 1999. Art and music somehow translated naturally into a career in finance. Starting at Bowdoin College in the HR department, she moved to Payroll then later becoming a Financial Analyst for the college.

 

Various hobbies over the years include flying, motorcycling, biking, hiking, quilting, running and has always fond of walking. 

Julia lives in Topsham with her daughter who attends college.


 
Paul R. Labbe
 


 

Richard “Rick” Bray

Attendant/Support Staff


Richard “Rick” Bray retired from teaching after 37 years as a Technology Education and Industrial Arts instructor. He joined Brackett Funeral Home’s support staff in 2014. A talented and thoughtful carpenter, he’s created several furnishings we depend on daily in both our chapel and cemetery services.

He presently serves on the Region 10 Technical High School Co-op Board, frequently volunteers his time and talents to the upkeep of Baxter State Park, and is an active member of his church and their outreach services.

You’ve most likely happened upon Richard without knowing it on the Brunswick Town Mall—but he wasn’t skating or gathering at the Gazebo—He was the North’s company cook as a Civil War reenactor. This hobby has brought Richard, and his son Matthew, together on battlefields in Maine, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Richard, and his wife Beth, live in Brunswick and enjoy the treasures of family and the many kind faces who wander their Christmas tree farm every winter.


 
Rick and Beth
Rick and Beth
 

 


Matthew Burke

Attendant


Matt grew up in Rockville Connecticut where his grandfather operated the Burke Fortin Funeral Home. He attended Colby College and earned a Master’s Degree in Sculpture from Queens College. Prior to moving to Maine with his family, he taught for 14 years at the University of Kansas where he served as department chair. He now teaches sculpture at University of Southern Maine and Southern Maine Community College.

He and his wife Melissa and son Angus moved to Maine in 2019 to enjoy the beauty of Maine through skiing, sailing and hiking.

 
 

Brackett Funeral Home
Phone: (207) 725-5511 | Fax: (207) 729-5930
29 Federal Street, Brunswick, ME 04011

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