BLENDING PAST TRADITIONS WITH TODAY'S POSSIBILITIES
At Dolby Funeral Chapels we bring a rich and vibrant history of supporting the need for burial and remembrance services for members of our community.
We’ve been providing funerals, memorials, and crematory services for
the Windham community since 1946 when Robert (Bob) Dolby purchased the John C.
Nichols Funeral Home in South Windham. His father Herbert was also a licensed funeral director.
The Early Days...
In the early days of the business, when the town was much smaller, Bob ran the town ambulance service, using the hearse for emergencies. In 1953, Bob felt it was time to relocate the business and he moved the funeral home to a new location at 434 River Road, where it’s currently located. Later on, as the population of Windham grew, and needing additional space, Bob remodeled the funeral home and added a 30 x 30 foot extension, and also an adjoining parking lot.
Bob’s son, Tim, began working for the family business at the age
of thirteen, assisting with wakes, services, and other funeral related tasks. In
1991, upon his father’s retirement, Tim took over the family business, and one
year later acquired the Gorham location at 76 State St., which he remodeled in
2010. He truly dedicated his time to the town, providing funerals for the local
community and also serving as Windham fire chief for a number of years. His
father, Bob, died on January 15, 2008 at 88 years of age.
The Recent Years...
In 2013, Dolby hired Eric Segee to help out with his growing business. Prior to coming here, he worked at funeral homes in Portland and Bangor, Maine as a licensed funeral director with years of experience in the industry.
In 2015, after decades in the business, Tim decided it was time to relinquish his leadership role in the business, but he wanted to make sure that the business was in good hands before doing so. Having worked closely with Eric, he knew he was the right person to continue his family’s legacy. And Eric was extremely excited to become the proud owner of Dolby Funeral Chapels.
Even though the ownership has changed, Eric is committed as ever to the members of the community. They have retained the Dolby
name because of the high quality of service and level of commitment associated
with the business. And Tim has
continued to work there on a part-time basis, which brings a level of
continuity that is so important in bridging the past with the future.
Committed to Our Families
“We are committed to blending the traditions of the past with today’s possibilities,” says Eric. We plan to offer traditional services for those people who want the comfort of what they’ve always known. In addition, we want to provide more contemporary and specialty services that are more in line with the unique lives of the people we serve in our community.”
Eric has brought new technologies to the chapels with multiple flat-screen TVs and wireless audio capabilities. They now offer videos, still pictures, and musical playlists as special tributes to the deceased and are planning some new additions that will make their services truly unique.
Dolby Funeral Chapel is a member of National Funeral Directors Association.
OUR STAFF TRULY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
“Our extremely competent and caring staff is here
to help and guide you every step of the way. From beginning to end and even
beyond, we want to help you remember your loved one in a way that provides
strength and healing.” Eric Segee
Let us introduce you to our staff:
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Eric Segee, Funeral Director and Co-Owner
Eric grew up in East Machias and attended Washington Academy, where he graduated in 1999. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Maine. During school, he worked at Brookings-Smith Funeral Home in Bangor, ME, where he discovered his passion for funeral service and began his apprenticeship program. Eric pursued his professional training at Worsham College of Mortuary Science, in Wheeling, IL.
Eric graduated from Worsham College in 2006 with his degree in Mortuary Science. Eric’s experience in funeral service includes serving the communities of Portland, Bangor, and Chicago. He is a past President of the Maine Funeral Directors Association, is a long-time Rotarian, and a member of the Sebago Area Chamber of Commerce and the Gorham Business Exchange.
Eric enjoys playing golf and spending time with his Boston Terriers. -
Christine Larrivee, Office Manager and Funeral Attendant
A long-time resident of Windham, Christine is a graduate of Windham High School. She furthered her education by attending the University of Southern Maine and is currently enrolled at Central Maine Community College. Christine is a communicant of St. Anthony’s of Padua in Westbrook.
Christine enjoys residing at her home on Little Sebago and spending time with her son and daughter in law, Joe and Eileen. -
Emily A. Shoop, Licensed Funeral Director
Emily grew up in Connecticut and is a graduate of Robert E. Fitch High School. After graduating, she went on to obtain her cosmetology license. While working as a hairstylist, she realized her passion for funeral service and attended FINE Mortuary College in Norwood, MA earning a degree in Mortuary Science in 2016. She began her career working in funeral homes in southeastern, Connecticut, where she served her apprenticeship. She brought her experience to Southern Maine in 2019 and joined Dolby Blais & Segee in June of 2020. Emily spends most of her time with her husband, Spencer and daughter at their home in Old Orchard Beach with their pets.
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Dakota Stewart, Licensed Funeral Director
Dakota grew up in central Maine and is a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono. After graduating college Dakota started an apprenticeship with Brookings-Smith funeral home in Bangor. Dakota went on to attend Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, graduating with honors in 2019. When he isn’t working, Dakota enjoys spending time outdoors playing golf in the summer, hiking and hunting in the fall, and skiing in the winter.
