Friends recall Fall River funeral home director's sense of humor and caring personality
FALL RIVER — Charles Auclair's visage was a serious one, stereotypically fitting for a funeral home director. But those who knew him are remembering Auclair as a warm, caring man with one great sense of humor.
The president and second-generation director at Auclair Funeral Home on South Main Street, Charles Auclair died on Thursday. He was 81.
Adam Auclair, Charles' son, said his dad would want to be remembered “as a loving/caring funeral director.”
Jim Mullins, of Westport, a retired assistant athletic director for compliance at UMass Dartmouth, met Auclair in the mid 1980s when Mullins rented an Auclair-owned apartment on South Main Street, immediately north of the funeral home.
Sunday morning gatherings
Mullins remembers accepting an invitation to join Auclair and the late Ken “Jersey Red” Ford at their weekly Sunday morning gatherings at the funeral home. Jersey Red – the former Durfee High culinary arts teacher and famous friend to major college basketball coaches Rick Pitino and John Calipari – would bring the coffee and doughnuts and a stack of Sunday newspapers.
The ensuing banter was priceless.
“Charlie had the driest sense of humor,” Mullins said. “He always had the serious look on his face but he loved to hear a good joke and to tell a good joke.”
Mullins recalled occasionally getting a Sunday afternoon or evening knock on his door, asking if he could move his car to help facilitate the funeral home's parking and traffic needs for the next morning. Mullins also recalled how whenever he would see Charlie at a wake or funeral, Auclair would would give him the most subtle of winks and just a slightest hint of a smile.
Kristen Ford, daughter of Jersey Red, left this post on the Auclair Funeral Home's tribute wall under the obituary:
“I have very fond memories of Charles. As a kid, my dad and I spent many summer days walking over to the funeral home and visiting him in the office. Charles always had funny stories, a joke, and treats. I enjoyed watching him and my dad spend hours talking and laughing. Charles was amazing with my parents when my Vo died but his true compassionate nature shined through when my dad passed away. He went above and beyond for me and my family.
“Last year, when my mom passed away I was fortunate to be able to catch up with him and even being sick he wanted to make sure that I was happy with the services provided and that I was OK. I loved his sense of humor, quick wit, and random facts that he spewed out.”
Helping grieving families
Hector Gauthier, longtime account manager/morning drive host at radio station WSAR-1480, was Auclair's second cousin and socialized with him. He said Auclair loved to hear people giving their best shot at karaoke night at White's of Westport, and, a couple times, took the mic himself and proved to have a pretty good singing voice.
More importantly, Gauthier noted, was how caring and generous Charles Auclair could be.
“Over the years, he was so generous toward folks who could not afford a funeral,” Gauthier said. “He'd waive the fee, or give them a discount.”
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River funeral home director Charles Auclair dies at age 81
