About Us

Riverview Funeral Home benefits from a long and rich family tradition dating back to 1897, when Noah Loujer Fonda, a well-known undertaker, established the N.L. Fonda Funeral Home at 837 River Street in Troy. Mr. Fonda resided in Troy nearly all his life and had been in the undertaking business for 29 years until his death at age 59. Upon his death, his son Cornelius Sanford “Neal” Fonda, assumed operation of the family firm and it became known as N.L. Fonda & Son Funeral Home. At this time Neal's daughter Joan as well as Joan’s husband Robert Bebernitz joined the family firm along with our founder the late Nonie (Horan) Prendergast.

Mrs. Prendergast was one of the first women funeral directors in the state during the 1960s.

After some experience and with a need to advance her own career, Mrs. Prendergast decided to start her own branch independent of the Fonda name. In 1963, she purchased a beautiful traditional colonial home along the banks of the Hudson River in North Troy and established the Riverview Funeral Home at its present location (218 2nd Avenue).

During an era when “women had no part of the funeral business” Mrs. Prendergast never wavered. She was a well-respected member of the community and known as a dear friend to all, so it was natural that Riverview became successful very quickly.

Within a year of its establishment, Riverview Funeral Home was entrusted to care for and coordinate the mass funeral of the Sousie Family, whose 9 children (ages: 4-18) perished in a devastating house fire on February 29, 1964.

The wake was held on Tuesday, March 3, 1964 at Riverview in our current fireside parlor (the funeral home's original parlor).

All 9 caskets (7 smaller white ones and 2 large grey ones) remained closed as the mourners filed passed to pay their respects. 

The massive operation for the funeral was lead by Mrs. Prendergast the following morning on Wednesday, March 4, 1964. Departing from the Riverview Funeral Home to St. Patrick's Church on 6th Avenue for a Solemn Requiem Mass. 7 hearses and 2 flower cars carried the caskets of the children.

For historical reference: clippings of local newspaper articles and preserved photographs are featured below.

Nonie, along with the help of her husband Thomas Prendergast and Nonie’s nephew, Michael J. Horan, operated Riverview. The business flourished and was respected as one Troy's well-known names in funeral service. The facilities were expanded to meet the growing demands of the operation.

In 1971, Nonie passed away suddenly. Upon her death her nephew, Michael J. Horan, continued operating the family business. He became the sole owner and licensed manager and has served Troy families ever since. Mr. Prendergast passed away in 1973.