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Jeff Forsythe knows firsthand that the most meaningful work often arises from life’s toughest challenges. When his parents divorced, the 15-year-old left Fairfield for Portland, scraping together $7 a week to rent a room at the YMCA and earning his keep on the city’s fish docks. Those hard-won lessons in grit and service still anchor his approach to funeral care today.

In Portland, Jeff met Rhonda, the partner who would accompany him back to central Maine in 1987. While studying nights at Thomas College and the University of Maine at Augusta, he balanced roles at Zimba Corp. and PepsiCo.—until a part-time position with mentors Ed and Marilyn Gaunce at Lawry Brothers Funeral Home changed his trajectory.

Captivated by the privilege of helping families heal, Jeff enrolled in the New England Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1992. By 1995 he was managing Lawry Brothers; four years later he purchased the firm outright. Under Jeff’s stewardship, the business broadened into new communities across Maine and the broader New England region, ultimately uniting under the Family First Funeral Homes & Cremation Care banner.

Jeff’s commitment to ethical, family-focused service earned him the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Business Person of the Year award, but he measures success by quieter metrics: a widow’s relieved smile, a child’s heartfelt “thank you,” and staff who feel called—not compelled—to serve. More than three decades after his first day in funeral service, Jeff still believes there is no more rewarding vocation than guiding families through their hardest days—with dignity, transparency, and genuine care.

Justin Richardson is the Chief Operating Officer at Family First Funeral Homes & Cremation Care. He has been involved in every aspect of the funeral business firsthand from A to Z. Justin’s responsibilities entail the operations within the business as well as future acquisitions. Along with his daily responsibilities he is also in charge of finding new and innovative ways to streamline the firms’ operations.

Before Jeff approached Justin in 2014 to come work for him in the funeral industry, Justin was a personal trainer, part owner and operator of two premier fitness facilities in central Maine. These premier fitness facilities were some of the first 24-hour fitness facilities in central Maine. These facilities offered state of the art equipment as well as one on one and group training. Through training Justin was able to put his Bachelor in Exercise Science Degree and knowledge with injury prevention, rehab, and sports performance to use.

Justin has always had an entrepreneur mind set. His never give up attitude and his standard of excellence, is what sets him apart. He has an amazing ability to look at all situations from different angles and truly understands that every decision and action will have a different reaction and outcome. It is these abilities that have helped Justin have tremendous growth in the businesses he's been involved in. Justin wants and enjoys being part of the solution, the process, the beginning, the middle, and the end. Having the ability to help build two completely different businesses from the ground up and at a young age truly shows Justin's versatility in business and his ability to work as a team with others. Doing something half -way is just not going to work for Justin. He has an “all-in” mentality and is willing to blaze the trail and not feel the pressure to do it "the way it has always been done.”

When not at work, Justin resides in Sidney with his wife Hannah, daughter Kayda and son Bentley. He enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, sports, and many outdoor activities. He is also heavily involved with his local church where he and his wife are involved in the children's programs and Justin speaks on occasion when the Pastor is away.

Wayne Durrett is the Chief Financial Officer at Family First Funeral Homes & Cremation Care.

He has been involved in the financial management actions, and his primary responsibilities include financial reporting, forecasting, managing cash flows, and capital structuring for acquisitions.

Before joining Family First, Wayne worked as a Manager at a regional public accounting firm performing financial statement audits and helping clients implement and maintain efficient and accurate accounting practices. Wayne graduated Florida State University with a (BS) in Accounting and also Finance. Wayne is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Florida.

When not at work, Wayne enjoys spending time with his wife Jill, daughter Parker, and son Andrew. His hobbies include exercising, soccer, and fishing.