Roadhouse & Rose Team
Wes Playter
Funeral Director & Manager
Email: wes@roadhouseandrose.comOffice Phone: 905-895-6631
Wes was born and raised in Newmarket, son of Glenn & Jackie Playter. Wes attended Newmarket High School and later studied humanities and then business management at Victoria College in the University of Toronto before pursuing funeral services education at Humber College.
An employee of Roadhouse & Rose since 2004, he purchased the firm, along with Gregg Davey, from Glenn & Jackie Playter in 2009. Wes is past President of the Newmarket Historical Society and Past Chairman of Heritage Newmarket. He has sat on the Newmarket Public Library Board, is an executive member of the Newmarket Veterans Association, an Associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion, a corporate member of the Newmarket Rotary Club, a Director for Bereaved Families of York Region, a life member of the York Pioneer and Historical Society and a member and past executive-member of the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce. Wes also sits on the Board of Directors for Innisvale Crematorium and is a member of the Funeral Association of Canada (FSAC) and the Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals (OACFP).
Wes publishes books on our town's history and promotes awareness of our past. Wes is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and a Six Sigma Black Belt. He has also been a volunteer with the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the Royal Canadian Legion and the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation.
Wes resides in Newmarket with his wife Juliana and daughter Millicent.
• For more information on Wes, please click on his photo to direct you to his LinkedIn page.
Allana Coolahan
Senior Funeral Director - Supervisor of Operations
Email: allana@roadhouseandrose.comOffice Phone: 905-895-6631
Allana was born in Toronto, in 1988. She attended Sacred Heart High School in Newmarket. Allana came to Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home on a High School co-op and immediately knew she had found her calling, caring for and assisting families in need. She then attended Humber College, becoming a licensed Funeral Director in 2011. The pride and joy of her life is Oliver and Penelope, her two cats, whose affections are shared with twin sister, Jen. In 2020 Allana acquired the new role of Supervisor of Operations.
Herb Fowlie
Funeral Director
Email: herb@roadhouseandrose.comOffice Phone: 905-895-6631
Herb was born in New Brunswick and moved to Alliston in 1983, after completing High School and NBC College. Herb and his wife Gwen reside in Cookstown and have two children: Amanda and Nick. Herb is currently working at Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home as a Funeral Director. Pursuing a life-long dream to enter this profession, Herb completed the Funeral Services Program at Humber College in May of 2015, becoming a licensed Funeral Director in July 2015.
Rachael Shindle
Funeral Director
Email:
Office Phone: 905-895-6631
Rachael was born and raised in Willowdale, Ontario, and spent many of her summers in Thunder Bay, Ontario with her family. After working in retail management and hospitality for several years in Toronto, she decided to change paths and enroll in Humber College’s Funeral Service Education Program in 2020, receiving her Class 1 Funeral Director License in 2022. She knew from a young age that her primary goal in life was to help others and felt that funeral service was her calling. Rachael became a Certified Crematory Operator in summer 2024 at the Innisvale Cemetery & Crematorium in Thornton, Ontario. She received her 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training and Certification in Yoga Philosophy in spring 2025. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Athabasca University in summer 2026.
Helena Staruch
Director of Advance Planning
Email: helena@roadhouseandrose.comOffice Phone: 905-895-6631
Helena was born in Britain, and at 19 years of age arrived in Canada as a Nanny. She has worked for a vast variety of families throughout Ontario. After several years she decided to become a hair stylist and cosmotologist. Helena then had the opportunity to work for Assurant Life of Canada as an office manager for the Beaver Agency, later applying for her LLQP insurance license. In 2015, Helena applied to Humber College to take her Funeral Pre-Planning License. Currently working for Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home, Helena says "it is the best decision I have ever made". Helena is married with children, all of whom are doing well in their own professions. She and her husband have two wonderful grandchildren. Helena has a variety of hobbies, which include gardening, cooking, and DIY.
Dan MacPherson
Project Co-Ordinator
Email: dan@roadhouseandrose.comOffice Phone: 905-895-6631
Dan is a Senior Marketing and Business Engagement Specialist with multiple years’ experience in our community. With a Masters Degree from Linköping University Sweden he helps to develop systems and strategies that lessen the stress for the Funeral Directors on staff. He works with families, administration and logistical projects pertaining to funeral services but also works propelling the growth of the business itself. Raised in Newmarket, Dan has always been a community minded volunteer supporting many not-for-profit organizations and is currently on the Board of York Region Police Integrated Strategic Community Advisory Council. He loves travel, music, and spends most of his time with his wife Shannon, stepdaughter Nicki and twins Benny and Lucy.
Jessica Vlaar
Office Administrator
Email: jessica@roadhouseandrose.com
Office Phone: 905-895-6631
Jessica joined Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home in 2021. Jessica has been a Newmarket resident since she moved here from The Netherlands in 2006 (apart from a 3-year stint back to Europe a few years ago). Together with her husband, she is raising 3 teenage kids. Before and after a 10-year period which she focused on her small children, Jessica worked as a secretary and management assistant for various companies. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends and loves spending time outdoor walking and hiking local trails and Ontario’s beauty ‘up North’. Jessica takes a natural genuine interest in people and is proud to play a small role in supporting clients through a difficult phase in their life.
Brad Bulmer
Assistant Funeral Director
Office Phone: 905-895-6631
Brad was born in Toronto and came to Newmarket as an infant. Brad is the son of Everett Bulmer, a former long-time Newmarket barber. Brad lives in Newmarket with his wife Cathy and their son Chris. Brad and Cathy also have two daughters, Leslie and Emily. Brad attended Huron Heights Secondary School in Newmarket and is a graduate of the Ontario Police College and the Canadian Police College. He has also received extensive training from the University of North Florida, Northwestern University and Ryerson University in the field of collision investigation and reconstruction. Brad is the recipient of the Governor General’s 30 year Exemplary Police Service award, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee award, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Lifetime Achievement in Traffic Safety award and the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators Police Partnership award. He is a former member of the York Region Technical Traffic Advisory Committee, the MTO Traffic Law Expert Committee, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Committee and MADD Canada’s York Region Chapter. After retiring as a Staff Sergeant from 35 years of service with the York Regional Police, Brad came to the Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home in 2015 as an Assistant Funeral Director. Brad brings to the Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home his experience in assisting those in times of need and prides himself on his attention to detail. He is strongly committed to providing exceptional services and support to the people of Newmarket, the surrounding communities and the Roadhouse and Rose Funeral Home team.
John Molyneaux
Assistant Funeral Director
Office Phone: 905-895-6631
John started working at Roadhouse & Rose in 2015. The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario appointed Mr. Molyneaux to the York Regional Police Services Board for a three-year term on November 3, 2010. John was re-appointed for a further period of three years in 2013. Mr. Molyneaux was a civilian member of the Ontario Provincial Police from 1971 to 1976. During that time he became a Volunteer Fire Fighter with the Newmarket Fire Department. He became a full-time member of that department in 1977. John worked through the ranks holding the position of Fire Fighter, Suppression Captain, Fire Prevention officer, Deputy Fire Chief and eventually becoming the Fire Chief in 1994. Mr. Molyneaux was one of the people instrumental in the creation of Central York Fire Services in 2002, a fire service made up of the consolidated fire departments of the Towns of Aurora and Newmarket. He was honoured to be appointed the first Fire Chief of the newly-created department. In 1996, Regional Council appointed Mr. Molyneaux as the Regional Fire Coordinator. He held that position until his retirement in 2009. The Regional Fire Coordinator is a member of the Regional Emergency Control Group and plays an important role in developing and implementing emergency management program requirements. John has also served on the Board of Directors, York Region Branch, St. John Ambulance for many years. He is the proud recipient of the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal, the Federal Exemplary Fire Service Medal and the Provincial Fire Service Long Service Medal recognizing 35 years of service. In 2013, John was appointed by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston as a member of the Order of St. John.
Peter Fleming
Piper
Our piper, Peter Fleming, took his first lessons at 15 years of age. He currently competes as a soloist in Grade 2 and is the Pipe Major of the York Regional Police Pipes and Drums.
Peter plays an extensive repertoire of tunes, from hymns to slow airs and traditional Scottish favourites, all of which are suitable for funerals and interments.
In Memoriam
Glenn Playter
Funeral Director & Former Owner
Glenn, former owner of Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home, passed away suddenly of a heart attack, at home, on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at 72 years of age. Glenn Playter, beloved husband of Jackie of 51 years, and dear father of Wesley Playter (Juliana), Allison (Todd Jackson) and Brent Playter (Pam). Loving grandfather of Stella, Charlie, Tommy, Watson and Millicent. Dear brother of Wayne Playter (Marilyn) and Janice (Rick Bondi). He will be lovingly remembered by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours and friends, particularly his good friends Gerry Bloxam, Brent Peppiatt and Doug Sheppard. Glenn was born in Toronto and raised in Newmarket. He attended Newmarket High School and in 1968 he graduated from Humber College - School of Funeral Services. Glenn became a partner in the firm in 1974 and was sole proprietor from 1993 to 2009. Glenn and Jackie (nee Clute) have three children: Wes, current owner of Roadhouse & Rose; Allison, a school teacher at Rogers Public School; & Brent, an employee of the Regional Municipality of York.
Gregg Davey
Funeral Director & Former Owner
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gregg on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 54 years of age with family and close friends by his side. Beloved son of Bruce and Marian Davey (nee Sutherland) of Bradford. Much loved father of Breann and Lauren Davey and life-long best friend of Lisa Sturdy. Dear brother of Kevin (Terri) and Brian (Sheryl). Fun loving uncle of Julia, Maia, Trent, Owen, Erica, Tianna, Kyra, Quaid, Meghan, and Brandon. Gregg will be deeply missed by his extended family and his close friends, Glenn (Gail) Sturdy, Steve (Denise) Twine and his family at Roadhouse & Rose. Gregg was born in Barrie and raised in Bradford. After obtaining his funeral director's license in 1989, Gregg worked for Skwarchuk Funeral Homes in Bradford and Mount Albert. In 2000, Gregg started working at Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home. Gregg purchased the firm, along with Wes Playter in 2009. He was a very close and dear friend of the Playter family. Gregg was an Associate Member of the Newmarket Veterans Association and on the Board of Directors of Innisvale Cemetery and Crematorium. Gregg has two lovely daughters, Breann and Lauren who he was always extremely proud of. Gregg enjoyed playing hockey, camping, golfing, fishing and spending time with his two beautiful daughters.
