History

Boule Funeral Home's History

The building at 615 Broadway, as well as the house right next door on the north side, was completed in the early 1880's. They were built by a general contractor as exact twins. The floor plans are identical, however the front portico and Gothic columns were added a few years later when 615 Broadway was purchased from the original owner, who is believe to be the contractor.

The second owner, a Mr. M. J. Doran purchased the property and lived in it for many years. He was never married and occupied the house with his butler, a cook and two housekeepers. They used all three floors of the house to live in. Mr. Doran had the wood facing of the front lobby fireplace added with the Doran "Crest" carved and painted in gold leaf. In later years, Normand and Raymond Boule had the "D" changed to the letter "B" which has been used as the Boule "Crest" since the mid-1940's.

M. J. Doran was an entrepreneur, who owned a large Department Store in Fall River. After the depression of 1929, he lost his business and eventually his home on Broadway.

Norman Boule

Raymond Boule

The house lay empty for a few years, sometime in 1934 or 1935, it was purchased by Mr. Armand Auclair, who turned it into a Funeral Home. (No connection with Auclair Funeral Home on South Main Street) Mr. Auclair added the three-car garage, preparation room, a smoking room downstairs, then continued to re-finish the basement adding a casket display room and a men's room. After only a few years in the business, Mr. Armand Auclair died suddenly in 1943. His wife continued to run the business with the help of Joseph Dore, who was a licensed Funeral Director, in early 1944, Mrs. Auclair placed the Funeral home for sale and it was purchased by Normand and Raymond Boule, who were in their father's grocery business at the time.

As Normand and Raymond were not licensed Funeral Directors, they attended classes four evening per week in Boston, while keeping their day jobs at the grocery business. Joseph Dore ran the Funeral Home for them until they became licensed seven to eight months later. In March of 1945, they took over management of the Funeral Home, keeping Mr. Dore as an assistant and changing the name to BOULE FUNERAL HOME, so there would be no confusion with the other funeral home. After struggling through a couple of lean years, it began to grow into the successful business it is today.

Raymond retired in 1970. Norman continued to run the business with his son Jean, and in 1980, Jean took on the every day operations upon his father's retirement. In November of 2001, Thomas E. Wilkinson, a good friend of the Boule Family and a licensed Funeral Director and embalmer, began working full time with Jean. Previously, he had 22 years in funeral service. Jean and his wife, Murielle, asked Tom to become Jean's partner and also would like him to take over the operations of the funeral home in years to come.

Being the person Tom is he was pleased to accept the offer. It has been over three years and Tom has done a great job of fixing the building with many remodeling projects. Our families have been served well and are very comfortable with Tom's professional caring ways. Tom also has a full time assistant in the office to help with the everyday operations as well as several part time people to help with other duties.

Jean Boule

Boule Funeral Home recently announced a new addition to their staff. Wendy M. Peters has become a licensed funeral director apprentice. Peters began her career with Boule Funeral Home in 2004 as a funeral assistant. As a funeral director apprentice, Peters will learn the many tasks of a funeral director by observing a licensed director. Peters will learn to prepare the deceased and help families through a most difficult time. Peters plans to attend Fine Mortuary College of Norwood next year.

The building at 615 Broadway, as well as the house right next door on the north side, was completed in the early 1880's. They were built by a general contractor as exact twins. The floor plans are identical, however the front portico and Gothic columns were added a few years later when 615 Broadway was purchased from the original owner, who is believe to be the contractor.
The second owner, a Mr. M. J. Doran purchased the property and lived in it for many years. He was never married and occupied the house with his butler, a cook and two housekeepers. They used all three floors of the house to live in. Mr. Doran had the wood facing of the front lobby fireplace added with the Doran "Crest" carved and painted in gold leaf. In later years, Normand and Raymond Boule had the "D" changed to the letter "B" which has been used as the Boule "Crest" since the mid-1940's. M. J. Doran was an entrepreneur, who owned a large Department Store in Fall River. After the depression of 1929, he lost his business and eventually his home on Broadway.		Norman Boule

As Normand and Raymond were not licensed Funeral Directors, they attended classes four evening per week in Boston, while keeping their day jobs at the grocery business. Joseph Dore ran the Funeral Home for them until they became licensed seven to eight months later. In March of 1945, they took over management of the Funeral Home, keeping Mr. Dore as an assistant and changing the name to BOULE FUNERAL HOME, so there would be no confusion with the other funeral home. After struggling through a couple of lean years, it began to grow into the successful business it is today.
Raymond retired in 1970. Norman continued to run the business with his son Jean, and in 1980, Jean took on the every day operations upon his father's retirement. In November of 2001, Thomas E. Wilkinson, a good friend of the Boule Family and a licensed Funeral Director and embalmer, began working full time with Jean. Previously, he had 22 years in funeral service. Jean and his wife, Murielle, asked Tom to become Jean's partner and also would like him to take over the operations of the funeral home in years to come. Being the person Tom is he was pleased to accept the offer. It has been over three years and Tom has done a great job of fixing the building with many remodeling projects. Our families have been served well and are very comfortable with Tom's professional caring ways. Tom also has a full time assistant in the office to help with the everyday operations as well as several part time people to help with other duties.		Jean Boule
Boule Funeral Home recently announced a new addition to their staff. Wendy M. Peters has become a licensed funeral director apprentice. Peters began her career with Boule Funeral Home in 2004 as a funeral assistant. As a funeral director apprentice, Peters will learn the many tasks of a funeral director by observing a licensed director. Peters will learn to prepare the deceased and help families through a most difficult time. Peters plans to attend Fine Mortuary College of Norwood next year.