The A.W. Rich Funeral Home originated as Hick’s Funeral Home over 100 years ago. In 1928 it was purchased by Albert W. Rich and was operated as the A.W. Rich Funeral Home. In 1998 it was purchased by John D. Workman. While ownership may have changed from time to time over the years, the integrity, trust and service to families has always been of utmost importance and continues in the A.W. Rich tradition. John has brought to the funeral home vast experience and understanding of a family’s needs at their most difficult time. The staff has a total combined time of over 200 years in the funeral service industry and are knowledgeable, respected in the community and are an invaluable asset to the funeral home. A.W. Rich Funeral Home is a charter member of the Fairfax Business and Professional Association which assists the local business community in its efforts to promote Fairfax as a great community in which to live, work and do business. The owner and staff of A.W. Rich Funeral Home contribute to the local community by donating time and funds to local events and projects which improve the quaint Town of Fairfax’s image and beauty. A.W. Rich recently co-sponsored the donation of American flags which adorn the telephone poles that line the main street in town.

Our Family

John D. Workman, Director
John is no stranger to the funeral business and is a Vermont State Funeral Director, licensed since 1984. He is previous owner of Workman/Mountain View Funeral Home in Essex, VT. He is also a Vermont State Real Estate Broker licensed since 1981 and is currently associated as a Sales Manager with Century 21, The Martin Agency in Essex Jct.. John is extensively active in his community, donating much of his time and financial support to promote a sense of community and to the improvement in the quality of life in Fairfax and surrounding areas. He is continually involved in church suppers, clergy contacts, civic and business associations involvement, senior group contributions, holiday decorations and events, to name a few. John’s professional and personal doors are always open and his personal residence is over the funeral home making it a true funeral “home” with a warm friendly environment. John is a third generation native of Essex and served an elected position on the Essex Town Select Board for three years. He was instrumental in the Essex Town purchase of Indian Brook Reservoir, acting as co-chair of the Friends of Indian Brook Reservoir with over 500 members. He is a charter member in the founding of The Essex Business and Professional Association. He started and chaired the Essex Memorial Day Parade, a popular event that involves more than 2,500 participants. John is a past recipient of the Vermont Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award and the Essex Lions Club Distinguished Service Award. He is past president of the Essex Business and Professional Association and received their Citizen of the Month Award. He is also past president of the Fairfax Business and Professional Association. He has an uncompromised commitment to quality, professional service and believes that each family deserves dignified and personalized service. John has donated his time and financial support and personally assists in the Fairfax Cemetery Renovation Project by professionally cleaning all the memorials in the three old historic cemeteries in Fairfax. The cemetery on Buck Hollow Road was partially completed the Summer of 2001 and was completely finished the Fall of 2002.

	Daisy Collins, Associate Daisy, a lifelong resident and very familiar face in Fairfax has been associated with our funeral home for many years. She and her husband Tom raised 5 children in Fairfax. Daisy is an active member of St. Luke’s Church and is a St. Luke’s Cemetery Commissioner, assisting families with cemetery lot selections. Daisy is our Pre-Need and Aftercare Coordinator. Her attention to detail and commitment to each family makes her a valuable asset to our funeral home.
	Thomas Collins, Associate Tom is also a lifelong resident of Fairfax and has been associated with our funeral home for over 30 years. He retired from IBM as an analyzer and later also worked in security. Tom and his wife Daisy are charter members of Fairfax Rescue. He is an active member of St. Luke’s Church. Tom has an ability to organize and a willingness to assist families during their difficult and stressful time which makes him an important member of our service team.
	Paul Lavallee, Associate Paul, another native of Fairfax, has been with our family for over 28 years. He and his wife, Pauline raised 7 children. Paul retired from IBM as an engineering technician. He volunteers as a bus driver for BFA-Fairfax schools and has been a member of the Fairfax Fire Department for over 36 years. He is an active member of St. Luke’s Church. Paul’s experience and gentle personality make him an essential part of our family.
	Claire Lemnah, Associate Claire is another lifelong resident of Fairfax and has worked with us for over 20 years. She and her husband Ralph raised 2 children and enjoy camping during the summer months. She also works part-time at J & L Hardware and is an active member of St. Luke’s Church. Claire is our At-Need Family Services Coordinator. Her compassionate personality is very comforting to our families. Claire personally sees that every family receives their register book, fully completed by her, including a detailed list of all floral arrangements received as well as every detail of the related services including music, artists, officiating clergy and deceased memorial information to name a few. The information Claire provides is treasured by generations to come. Her personal attention to every family’s register book and related services is a major part of the personal team effort our A.W. Rich family provides to each of our families we serve.
	Ralph Lemnah, Associate Ralph is a long time resident of Fairfax and has been with our funeral home for over 25 years. He is an active member of St. Luke’s Church and also works part-time at J & L Hardware. He is retired from IBM where he worked in gas systems. His expertise and accommodating personality are always appreciated by the families we service.
	Sylva Thibault, Associate Sylva has been with our family for over 26 years. He and his wife Brenda reside in Fairfax and have 2 children. He is an active member of St. Luke’s Church and is retired owner of Nan’s Mobil in Fairfax. He is well known in the area for his beliefs that the “customer is always right” and deserve the utmost respect and quality personal attention. He carries these beliefs into his work with our funeral home, which is well-received by the families we service.
	Kara Campbell, Associate
	Trevor Russell, Traffic Associate Trevor has been with our family for a shorter period of time. He works at IBM as a maintenance technician. He and his wife Kellie moved to Fairfax from Essex. Trevor is the elected Town Constable of Fairfax. His gentle demeanor and kindness are well-received by co-workers and the families we service.
	Orin Tilton, (O.T.) Traffic Coordinator O.T. has been with our family for over 15 years. He works in security at IBM and previously owned the Fletcher General Store. He is a lifelong resident of the area and was born in Waterville. He and his wife Debbie have 2 children and reside in Fletcher. O.T. is active in the Eagles Club in Jeffersonville and is the elected Town Constable of Fletcher. He is our dedicated Traffic Coordinator and his law enforcement contacts and ability to manage and organize make him an indispensable asset to our family.

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