Jules A. Vachon

Jules A. Vachon, 93, of Berlin, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Coos County Nursing Home after a period of failing health. He was born on March 1, 1931 in St. Isidore d'Auckland, QC, Canada the son of the late Alphonse and Alphonsine (Laplante) Vachon.

He came to the United States in the 1950’s as a woodcutter with his horse.  He eventually bought a big Case skidder.  During mud season, he would never accept unemployment so he started picking up junk cars to pay the bills.  This grew to a full-time business.  He fashioned his own wrecker and kept Berlin properties clean.  He bought his garage and 108 acres of land and opened Jules Vachon Salvage Yard.  He gave away more parts than he ever sold.  He then bought the house and moved his family up there.  

Jules had no formal education, but owned two Freightliner tractor trailer units, one for wood and the other for cars and steel.  He was known to everyone from Berlin to the Canadian border and into Maine and Vermont.  He loved helping the community and was much valued by the Fire Department and Ambulance crews as he set up mock accidents at his salvage yard for training.  They practiced extricating people with the Jaws of Life.  He never wanted payment.

He hauled at least 15 cars to the Lancaster Fair and back for Eli Isaacson, for the Demolition Derby, again never expecting anything in return.  He did this for several years, he just loved helping people.  

His proudest day was when he was naturalized a US Citizen, it had always been his dream.  Barabara taught him to read enough to pass his test, and that was so special.  

Jules and Barbara were married 62 years and adopted 3 children and provided them a stable, loving home.  John possessed his fathers love of playing musical instruments, Yvan mirrored his father’s huge heart, always showing kindness and compassion to all.  Lisa follows in his footsteps with her bounding passion of helping animals.  

He loved his work and his 85 Freightliner, often joking he’d trade in his wife before he would his truck.  But he was greatest at being a loving father and husband.  Rest in peace Jules, you truly deserve it!

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara (Jeffers) Vachon of Berlin; two children Yvan Vachon and wife Debbie of Berlin and Lisa Cawley and husband Mason of Atlanta, GA; several grandchildren: Nicholas and Cody Cawley, Kyle and Brittney Vachon and Jonathan Fortier and his wife Rebecca; a great grandson Dylan Fortier; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a son John Vachon and all siblings.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 1 pm at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish, 345 Pleasant St., Berlin with interment following at St. Kieran Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, prior to the mass, at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin. Those who wish may make donations in his memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online guestbook at www.bryantfuneralhome.net.