John N. Boulais Sr.

PITTSFIELD -- John Noel Boulais Sr., 78, of 36 Arlington St. died Monday at Berkshire Medical Center.

Born in Pittsfield on Dec. 20, 1925, son of Philias and Flore M. Miclette Boulais, he attended schools in Dalton.

A World War II veteran, he served in the Army from 1944 to 1946.

Mr. Boulais was employed by Berkshire Street Railway as a bus driver for 23 years. Prior to that, he was a truck driver for Filkins Transportation, a logger and worked at Berkshire Express. At one time, he had owned and operated J&J Warehouse, Boulais Pallet and Kern's Trucking.

He was a communicant of Notre Dame Church and a member of the American Legion and the Dalton Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also was a member of the Berkshire County Traffic Association and the Springfield Traffic Club. A golfer, he was a member of the Berkshire Hills Country Club for 28 years. He also enjoyed camping and doing crossword puzzles.

He leaves his wife, the former Evelyn LaPlante, whom he married Jan. 16, 1947; two sons, Daniel M. Boulais and John N. Boulais Jr., both of Pittsfield; two daughters, Yvette Taylor and Donna Tucker, both of Pittsfield; a sister, Jacqueline Procopio of Pittsfield; 16 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for John Noel Boulais Sr., who died Monday, Aug. 16, 2004, will be held tomorrow, Aug. 20, at 8:15 from DERY FUNERAL HOME, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 at Notre Dame Church, celebrated by the Rev. Kishe V. Max, parochial vicar. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held today, Aug. 19, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Boulais may be made to Special Olympics in care of the Civitan Club of Pittsfield, P.O. Box 42, Pittsfield, MA 01202.