Thacker Casket VP of Sales and Marketing Retires

Mike Beardsley has announced his retirement from full time service as Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Thacker Caskets, Inc. Mike will continue on with Thacker in an active consulting role, and be available for work on special projects.

Mike started his career in the Funeral Supply Industry with the Marsellus Casket Company of Syracuse, NY in 1973. Mike served as Field Sales Manager, and later as Director of Sales and Marketing until the closure of Marsellus in August, 2003. Mike joined Thacker Caskets, Inc in 2004 as their VP of Sales & Marketing.

Throughout his career Mike has been a frequent speaker at numerous State Funeral Director Association meetings and conventions. He has been a presenter for the National Funeral Director’s Association. Presently, Mike serves on the Board of Directors of the Casket and Funeral Supply Association, and was Chairman of CFSA’S 2013 Centennial Celebration Committee. Mike serves CFSA on several additional committees as well.

In his retirement Mike looks forward spending more time with his family and especially his 3 grandchildren. He will also be focusing on two of his long term passions…New York State Paleo Archaeology, and Mike’s continuing research into the history of the Funeral Supply Industry. Mike is a contributing writer for Indian Artifact Magazine, Antique Bottle and Glass Magazine, AntiqueWeek magazine, and several Funeral trade journals. He is Scholarship Treasurer for the Wm. Beauchamp Chapter, New York State Archaeological Association as well as a convention presenter for the NYSAA.

Mike states, “I want to thank both the Marsellus Family and the Thacker Family who made it possible for me to spend the entirety of my career in the Funeral Supply Industry with 2 respected, tenured, family owned companies. I also want to thank my many friends and colleagues in Funeral Service who have made the last 40+ years so memorable and enjoyable. I look forward to our paths crossing again”.

Mike may be contacted at casketeer@aol.com.