Francis H. Boudreau M.D.

Dr. Francis Fran H. Boudreau, 80, of Dover, Massachusetts passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on March 7, 2015. Dr. Boudreau was renowned for his distinguished medical career, his deep commitment to his faith and family, and his lifelong love of learning. Born in North Cambridge to hardworking French Canadian immigrants, Dr. Boudreau inherited a work ethic that drove his success academically and professionally. A 1956 graduate of Harvard College, Boudreau worked his way through school as a delivery boy for a local grocery store. After service in the Navy, Boudreau attended medical school at Boston University. Following his internship and residency in surgery and obstetrics and gynecology at St. Vincents Hospital in New York City, Boudreau returned to Boston to start an obstetrics and gynecology practice that would span almost 50 years. Dr. Boudreaus initial clinical interests were focused on the rapidly evolving field of infertility treatment. His responsibilities included training new physicians in newly emerging surgical techniques at several Boston hospitals within the Harvard medical system. Boudreau established his private practice in Brookline, and served on staff at St. Elizabeths Medical Center, Brigham and Womens Hospital, and Faulkner Hospital. Dr. Boudreau was a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher. As clinical instructor and professor at Harvard Medical School and Tufts Medical School for more than 30 years, he trained and mentored young physicians at Boston Free Hospital for Women, Boston Lying-In Hospital, St. Elizabeths Medical Center, Brigham and Womens Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital. Throughout his long and fulfilling medical career, Dr. Boudreau was honored with various professional appointments. He served as Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Elizabeths Medical Center (1999-2008). A longstanding member of the Obstetrical Society of Boston (1968-2015), he served as President from 1999-2000. He was also active in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (1968-2015) and served as Chairman of the Massachusetts Section from 1999 to 2002. Dr. Boudreau served as Secretary for the non-governmental organization Womens Health and Education Organization a global health initiative whose mission is to promote maternal and child health worldwide. Boudreau was deeply committed to the personal care of his patients. In the letter he sent to his patients announcing his retirement he wrote, You have given me a most fulfilled professional and blessed life. In addition to his many professional accomplishments, Dr. Boudreau was proud of his large and close-knit family. Dr. Boudreau was introduced to Laura (Larry) OBrien of Philadelphia through mutual friends during his service in the Navy. Their friendship was immediate and formed a strong foundation for their life together. They married in 1963, and had nine children. A devout Catholic, Boudreau lived his Catholic faith every day whether caring for his patients or teaching his children to pray 'Notre Pre' in his native French. Boudreau loved his garden. Family meals were full of fresh vegetables he had grown, and his home was fragrant with flowers from his garden. He was always eager to share seedlings, advice and encouragement with anyone interested in helping plants grow. Dr. Boudreau is preceded in death by his mother Fabiola, father Odina, and brother Wilfrid. He is loved and survived by his wife Larry; his nine children Francis, Laura, Rene, Nicole, Jacques, Jean-Paul, Micheline, Andr, and Danielle; his 23 grandchildren; and his sister Denise Hendrigan. Colleagues, students, friends and family remember Dr. Boudreau as a man of great integrity, compassion, and generosity. Many also will remember his love of root beer floats and Saturday night special | his own homemade pizza - which, if you were lucky enough to share, was unforgettable.