Family is important to the Oteri family. We know and understand how families need to be cared for at a time of loss. Because we have families of our own, and have experienced deaths in our own families, we understand many of things people go through during these times of crisis, and will guide you through the process. Providing personal and compassionate service is our credo.
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Charles F. Oteri and his daughter Michelle seal a time capsule at Town of Franklin Bicentennial Celebration in 1978. |
In July 1976, while the nation was celebrating the bicentennial of our country, Charles F. Oteri purchased the Pasini Funeral Home at 33 Cottage St. in Franklin. With financial assistance from his former employer, Folsom Funeral Service, he moved from Norton to Franklin with his young family. They lived in the apartment above the funeral home for 3 years, until a home directly across the street became available for purchase. Mr. Oteri still still owns it today.
Charles was born and raised in Newton, MA and is a 1964 graduate of Newton South High School, where he was class valedictorian. He received his Funeral Service education in Boston at the former New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science, Embalming and Funeral Directing. He has been a licensed embalmer and funeral director since 1969. He served in Viet Nam for 18 months and was assigned to the Graves Registration Unit at the 8th Field Hospital where he was the non-commissioned officer in charge. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.
Having worked in the greater Boston and Attleboro areas all of his professional years, moving to Franklin offered personal opportunities and dynamic possibilities. He was able to grow the business substantially, and became an active member of the community.
Mr. Oteri married his high school sweetheart Donna (Doolan) Oteri, and in 2015 will celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary. Mr. & Mrs. Oteri have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Sean A. Oteri is a second generation funeral director who is following in his father's footsteps. Having lived in Franklin since the age of 3 and grew up living in the funeral home, he is a 1990 graduate of Franklin High School.
He obtained his apprenticeship license in June 1990 at the age of 17, one of the youngest ever in the state of Massachusetts to do so. He has been a licensed embalmer and funeral director since 1999. He is fully engaged in every aspect of the family business, and frequently assists area funeral homes with embalming and funeral directing. He also manages the day to day operation of the company's livery service.
Sean too is a member of the Massachusetts and National Funeral Directors' Association, is a communicant of St. Mary's Church and lives next door to the funeral home with his wife Dianne and their 3 children.
To read more history of the firm.... Click Here
This business was established in 1912 by the late Thomas F. Keefe. Mr. Keefe was a first generation funeral director who operated from his residence at 33 Cottage Street. Since most funerals were held at family homes in those days, only equipment, livery and furnishings needed to be kept at the funeral home. He operated his business for 34 years, until 1946 when he sold it to Edward J. Mulvaney.
Mr. Mulvaney, who was a widower when he purchased the company, continued to operate it as Keefe's Funeral Service. He entered funeral service late in life, but was a natural born practitioner. He was a meticulous dresser, and was a true gentleman. He dedicated his life to serving others, and was very successful. He retired in 1961 at the age of 75, and sold the business to Fred L. Pasini Jr.
Mr. Pasini was born and raised in Franklin, and was a 1943 graduate of Franklin High School. After serving in the US Navy in WWII, he returned to Franklin to begin a career. A talented musician, he almost followed a career in music. He and his family were friendly with Mr. Mulvaney, thus he chose funeral service instead. He was able to grow the business and more than doubled the size of the building with several additions. Improvements such as central air conditioning, new heating systems, public address systems and enlarged off street parking contributed to enhancing the business. He also helped out at another funeral home in town, the former Wiggin Funeral Home on East St. When Mr. Peter O'Brien the manager of the funeral home retired in 1970, that business was closed, and a great many of those families who knew Mr. Pasini, then began to use him for their services. Mr. Pasini also operated a limousine service, and would at any given time have 6 to 8 part time drivers available for work. Mr. Pasini sold the funeral business to Charles F. Oteri in 1976, and closed the limousine service several years later. He died in 1984. Our funeral home, which is the oldest established funeral service in the town of Franklin, also has the distinction of being one of the oldest businesses in town still located at the original site of its founding.
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