Normand L. Boucher

Normand L. Boucher, 87, of Gardner, died peacefully, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, surrounded by family after a period of declining health.

Born in Gardner on January 15, 1938, he was the son of the late Adjutor J. and Yvonne A. (Fournier) Boucher. He graduated from Gardner High School with the Class of 1955. He attended Becker Junior College where he received an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration in 1957. Normand then worked for a large electrical firm in Worcester as an accountant until 1978. He served in the United States Army Reserve from 1960 to 1966. Normand was a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1960 until his passing.

In 1978, Normand began his lifelong dream of becoming a funeral director after being discouraged at a young age. He entered his apprenticeship under the direction of George Dufault of Dufault Funeral Home in Gardner. While working, he attended night classes at the New England Institute in Boston, graduating with honors in 1980. In 1982, his dream became a reality when George Dufault sold him the business and it was then renamed the Dufault- Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., until 2000, when it became the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc. In his later years, which he called semi-retirement years, Normand was a mentor to both his late son, Andrew, and grandson, Jacob at the funeral home.

Normand was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish, practicing at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner. He was a former member and past president St. Vincent de Paul Society and former member and treasurer of its League of Sacred Heart Society. He was a past director of the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, former member and past director of the Gardner Rotary Club, and a former director of GFA Federal Credit Union. Normand was a member and past director of the Acadien Social Club, life member of the Templeton Fish and Game Club, Inc., member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 747 of Gardner, 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 396 of Gardner, member of the American Legion Post 129 of Gardner, a member of the Gardner Museum, a member of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. Normand had a passion for community involvement and was an inspiration for his family and friends to support others in need. He loved to play cribbage, read the newspapers and a good book. Normand along with his wife Priscilla were always ready to watch Blue Bloods, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. But the time that he loved and cherished the most was time spent with his family.

Normand is survived by his wife of 63 years, Priscilla T. (Ares) Boucher of Gardner; four daughters, Celeste B. Goguen and her husband Peter of Gardner, Suzanne B. Cormier and her husband Roger of Gardner; Marcelle B. Kusske of Hubbardston; and Danielle B. Matheson and her husband Brian of Hubbardston; ten grandchildren, Jacob B. Cormier and his wife Brianne of Templeton, Brighton R. and Ava A. Cormier, both of Gardner, Broderick J. Goguen of Austin, TX and Chanelle C. Goguen of Gardner, Madison T.J. Boucher of Coventry, RI, Gabriel L. and Anneliese M. Kusske, both of Hubbardston, and Mabel M. and Elizabeth P. Matheson, both of Hubbardston; two great-grandchildren, Weston D. and Lillian A. Cormier of Templeton; two sisters-in-laws, Eleanor Ares of Gardner and Mary Ares of Fitchburg; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by a son, Andrew N. Boucher; and son-in-law, M. Brogan Kusske; three brothers-in-law, Raymond, Robert, and Joseph Normand Ares; and a sister-in-law, Phyllis M. Ares.

Calling Hours will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Please report directly to the church on the day of the service. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boucher Family Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be sent to the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, 649 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg, MA 01420. Please reference Boucher Family Memorial Scholarship Fund or make donations online at (https://cfncm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1362). This scholarship is given to a Gardner High School graduate who has demonstrated involvement in civic engagement and/or community service.