Our History

Circa 1946

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 familieswho 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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