Lafferty and Smith Colonial Chapel has been in continuous operation since 1886. It has been privately owned and family operated since its inception. The owners of Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory purchased the business in December of 2005 from Frank and Phyllis Herring. Our goal is to continue in the same professional and caring service that the Herrings provided to the families in the Sonoma and Marin areas. Community involvement is an important facet of our business. We are involved in Rotary, Kiwanis, the Elks Lodge, Hospice and many other local organizations and clubs.

James M. “Jim” Smith
Born, reared and educated in Petaluma, Jim is a third generation Petaluman. He graduated from St. Vincent High School, attended Santa Rosa Junior College, and graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science.

Jim joined the staff of Parent Funeral Chapel in June of 1973 as a funeral director and embalmer. In 1977 he became a partner along with Martin “Buzz” Rodgers and Arthur W. Parent and in 1981 Jim and Buzz purchased the remaining stock from Mr. Parent.

The following year, Jim and Buzz purchased the Sorensen Funeral Home and merged the businesses to the Parent location. In 1984 they opened a branch in Sebastopol.

As an active member of our community, Jim has served on the Board of Directors of the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce, the Petaluma Educational Foundation Board of Directors and Executive Board. He has also held many positions including Past President and current Financial Secretary of the Petaluma Council #9 Young Men’s Institute, past Board member and Secretary of the San Antonio Volunteer Fire Department, Past President and 30 year member of the Petaluma Kiwanis Club and Past President of the Redwood Empire Funeral Directors Association. Jim is also a member of the Nicasio Parlor #183 Native Sons of the Golden West, Harmony Grove Druids, Petaluma Elks Lodge #901, Sonoma-Marin Italian Club, Italian Catholic Federation, Petaluma Golf and Country Club, Bodega Harbour Golf Club and St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Bodega, CA.

Jim and his wife Jackie have been married for 26 years. Jackie is an elementary school teacher in Windsor, CA. Jim also has a son, Brendan, who is currently a student at Sonoma State University and also a staff member at the mortuary.

E-mail: jsmith@laffertyandsmith.com

Andrea Rodgers
Born, reared and educated in Petaluma, Andrea graduated from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic High School in 1998. Andrea then attended the Dominican University of California where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History in 2002.

Andrea began working for the mortuary five years ago while still attending school. After graduating she began working at the mortuary full-time and obtained her Funeral Director’s License in 2003.

Andrea is a second-generation funeral director, following in the footsteps of her father, Martin D. “Buzz” Rodgers, former owner of Parent-Sorensen Mortuary. Upon her father’s retirement, she purchased his share of the mortuary.

Andrea’s personal mission is to comfort and console all in their time of most need. She is thankful for the opportunity to help families honor their loved ones through the most difficult transition of life. She understands the need to celebrate the life lived while feeling sorrow at the same time and can help families find their way through all of their emotions.

E-mail: andrea@laffertyandsmith.com

James Gotelli
Born, reared and educated in Healdsburg, California, James is a 1989 graduate of Healdsburg High School. James has been employed by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary for over eight years and has been a licensed funeral director for the last five years. James is the managing partner and sees to the day-to-day operations of both facilities.

James feels that giving back to the community is an important facet in this line of work. Being a member of the Petaluma Rotary, the Petaluma Elks Lodge, and the Tomales Druids allows him to accomplish this goal. James is also very active in Petaluma ’s “Every 15 Minutes” program. Being a funeral director also allows him the opportunity to assist families in their time of need by providing compassionate and thoughtful service.

E-mail: james@laffertyandsmith.com

Clinton C. Mugurussa
Reared in western Sonoma County, Clinton is a fifth generation Funeral Director, having served members of our community since 1978. A graduate of El Molino High School in Forestville and numerous colleges, including the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, Clinton holds a degree in Sociology, Police Administration and Foreign Language.

Clinton rejoins our corporate staff following a successful career as Senior Coroner's Investigator with the San Francisco Medical Examiner's Office, Field Training Death Investigator/Deputy with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and Special Deputy Coroner with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department. As a "Team Leader", he holds licensure in Funeral Directing and Embalming, with worldwide recognition as a Restorative Artist. Clinton's dedication to our multicultural society and all religions makes him one of our professions most compasionate Directors in arrangeing all facets of traditional funeral service.

Clinton maintains residences in Honolulu and Oakmont, where he enjoys serving the community and parish members of Star of the Valley Catholic Church. Time permitting away from his profession, Clinton travels the globe as a Non-Sporting Group-Dog Show Judge with the American Kennel Club.

E-mail: clinton@laffertyandsmith.com

Francisco Sanabria
Born in Mezcala, Jalisco, Mexico, Francisco and his family make Santa Rosa their home.

Francisco has been a Funeral Director's Assistant serving Sonoma County Families with Funeral, Cremation and Cemetery needs since 1980, with specific attention to those families requiring assistance with foreign Consulates in returning their loved ones back to their native lands for burial.

Francisco and his family are attendees of both Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Windsor and Resurrection Parish in Santa Rosa. Gardening and home re-construction projects keep him busy in his spare time.

"Estamos para asistir a las familias hispanas en su propio idioma las 24 horas. Siempre compara los costos-somos dedicados a servirles mejor".

E-mail: francisco@laffertyandsmith.com