Our Staff

John "Jay" Rutski, a licensed Funeral Director for thirty five years has been serving our community's families at Applebee Funeral Home since 2003.

A native of Kingston, NY, Jay studied Mortuary Science at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Upon completion in 1988 he returned to his hometown where he served his residency at Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home.

In 1993, Jay returned to the Capital District, working for the well respected Frederick Funeral Home in Albany, NY. Throughout his career Jay has been privileged to work with and learn from some of the most highly regarded funeral professionals.  Jay has continued the tradition of serving families with the most professional and compassionate care and in 2023 purchased Applebee Funeral Home with his  longtime friend and co-worker Tom Pratt.

Jay lives in Delmar and is active in many community activities   He is a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar where he serves the parish as a lector and altar server and is past president and longtime member of the Delmar Kiwanis club.

My path to becoming a funeral director wasn't a straight line, but a journey through different careers that taught me about hard work, service, a commitment to something bigger than myself, dignity, and compassion. From working as a dishwasher and a pizza cook to serving as a Marine and a certified nursing assistant (CNA), each role instilled in me a deep sense of purpose that ultimately guided me to my true calling.

For five years as a CNA, I cared for people at their most vulnerable, learning about empathy and the quiet needs of others. The most profound lesson, however, came unexpectedly. A resident whom I had grown close to, almost like a grandparent, passed away. The funeral director who arrived to take her into his care treated her with such gentleness and respect that it left a lasting impression on me. He didn't know that I was more than just a nursing home staff member, or that I was very close to her, yet he honored her dignity as if she were a member of his own family.

His compassion opened my eyes to a different kind of care. When I spoke to him, he extended an invitation: "Come spend a day with me, and I will show you the pros and cons of being in funeral service." A week later, I left nursing school and enrolled in mortuary science. I have never once regretted that decision.

Some people questioned my choice, saying I would have been a great nurse and that my talents were being wasted. But I've always known my work isn't so different. It's still about caring for people and their families—just on the other side of life. I love this job because every day I feel like the luckiest person in the world, not only knowing I can provide comfort and dignity during a family's most difficult time, but also truly looking forward to coming to work every day.

Background

• Tom has been a licensed funeral director for over 22 years. 
• Before purchasing Applebee Funeral Home in 2023 with his friend and co-worker, Jay Rutski, he worked part-time for Peter Applebee for over 15 years and full-time for Mark & Jane Levine at Levine Memorial Chapel.
• La Salle Institute ’90 and HVCC ’03.
• US Marine Corps Veteran
• Communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and a member of the Book Club. 

Tom has been married to Jennifer Pratt for over 30 years, and they have 3 children: Mackenzie, Delaney, and Brady.

Peter John Applebee, 78, passed away suddenly at his residence in Delmar on December 27, 2024. 

A stalwart of the Bethlehem community, Peter was former owner of Applebee Funeral Home and was the third generation of his family to own the landmark business at the Four Corners in Delmar. Peter was a lifelong resident of Delmar and earned a degree in mortuary science from the Simmons Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse. Peter was honorably discharged from the United States Army after serving from 1968 to 1972. He was a life member of the Delmar Fire Department and was active for over 35 years serving as the department treasurer, a fire department lieutenant, and a member of the fire police. He was well known for generosity and support of various community activities including local churches and youth sports.

Peter was a true blue fan of the Yankees and Giants, an avid golfer, and had an encyclopedic knowledge of classic cars. He loved all things sailing and traveled a number of times to the Caribbean to participate as a crew member in the St. Maarten Regatta. He also enjoyed international travel highlighted by numerous trips to Italy.

Peter was predeceased by his parents Paul and Jacoba Applebee. He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Nancy Applebee; their sons, Peter Scott Applebee (Krista) of Delmar and Brian Applebee (Jennifer) of Scotch Plains, New Jersey. He was the proud grandfather of Caitlin, Paige, and Claire Applebee. He is also survived by his brother Paul Applebee of Port Charlotte, Florida, his half-sister Joyce Murphy of Albany and several beloved nephews and nieces.