Auclair Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Fall River, MA (2026)

03/29/2026

Thomas “Tom” Fullen, 83, a beloved basketball coach, father, grandfather, and mentor passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026.

Tom was born on November 5, 1942, in Swissvale, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Swissvale, where he attended St. Anselm’s Catholic School before graduating from Swissvale High School in the class of 1960. He also attended Robert Morris University, a private university in Pennsylvania.

He will be fondly missed by his family: daughter Kym Amaral and her children Krystal Amaral (Matthew Antunes) and Kevin Amaral (Julia); daughter Debra Ralston and her children Jennifer Wright (Ed) and Mike Ralston; son Lonnie Fullen and his children Lonnie Fullen Jr and Jason Fullen; son Thomas Fullen Jr.; daughter Carolyn Kenny and her children Kevin and Colleen; daughter Mary Jo Fullen; his twin siblings Jack Fullen (Jacqueline) and Jill Fullen; and many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his twin brother James "Jimmy" Fullen, son Keith Fullen, and parents Edward and Jessie (Baacke) Fullen, whose memory he held dear.

From a young age, Tom had a passion for basketball. He played competitively during his school years and contended for division titles, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of the game.

Tom was a long-distance driver for Koppers, a company involved with steel mills in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Over the course of his career, he was recognized for his exceptional dedication to safety, earning an award for driving one million miles without an accident—an achievement he took great pride in.

In 2006, Tom moved to Bristol, Rhode Island, to reside with his daughter Kym and her family. He became a respected and beloved basketball coach for the Bristol-Warren school district. He was also very involved in a summer camp for kids, Best Hoops. Over the years, he dedicated himself to mentoring young athletes and students, leaving a lasting impact both on and off the court.

His commitment to the sport and his players earned him numerous honors, including being named a Cox Communications Outstanding Coach, induction into the Bristol Hall of Fame for Coaching, and recognition as Coach of the Year in Rhode Island. He was especially proud of his work with the Special Olympics Unified Basketball program, where he helped create an inclusive and uplifting environment for all participants.

Outside of basketball, Tom was an avid golfer, a huge Steelers fan, loved trains and was a collector of sports cards. He also cherished his yearly trips back home to Pennsylvania with his daughter, Kym—often a two-week adventure by car, filled with memories, laughter, and time spent revisiting the places that meant so much to him.

Tom will be remembered for his kindness, his sense of humor, his infectious laugh, and his unwavering passion for sports and for people. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched as a coach, mentor, father, grandfather, and friend.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

03/27/2026

Juliette Delores (Pinault) Oliveira, 94, of Westport, (lived most of her life in Fall River), passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Catholic Memorial Home. Born on November 20, 1931, in Fall River, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Carlos A. Oliveira. Juliette was also the mother of the late Paulette Oliveira, the daughter of the late Emile Pinault and Juliette (Bernier) Pinault, and the sister of the late Irene Ouellette, Roger Pinault, Emile (Pete) Pinault, Lucille Soares, and Jacqueline Pinault.

Juliette was employed by Louis Hand in Fall River. She then devoted her time as a mother and homemaker before later becoming a cafeteria worker within the Fall River Public Schools. Juliette found joy in the simple yet meaningful pursuits of cooking, baking, knitting and word search puzzles. She enjoyed decorating her home and had pride in her appearance regardless of the occasion. She also spent time chatting on the phone and looked forward to visits from family and friends. She found entertainment watching the news. For those who didn’t, she would fill you in with the details for the day.

Juliette leaves her children, Gail Vital (husband Mark), Paul Oliveira (wife Carol), and Pauline Cassell (companion Steve Pimental); her grandchildren: Tyler Lopes (wife, Lindsay), Amanda Lopes (companion Jeff Beauregard), Alyssa Oliveira-Chace (husband Corey), Kelsey Dzialo (husband Bryce), Kyle Oliveira (companion, Jacey Nicklas), and Sydney Cassell (companion Evan Willard); brothers Norbert and Robert Pinault; great-grandchildren, Leah, Morgan, Jayce, Theo and Eden.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 31, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at Auclair Funeral Home, located at 690 South Main Street, Fall River, MA 02721. Burial will take place at Notre Dame Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Memorial Home, 2446 Highland Avenue Fall River, MA 02720-4504.

03/25/2026

Tracy (DoRego Vieira) Goncalves, 44, a dedicated and compassionate individual who spent over 25 years serving others as a Certified Nursing Assistant, passed away on March 23, 2026, at Saint Anne's Hospital in her hometown of Fall River, Massachusetts. She was the wife of John Luis Goncalves for the past 20 years.

Born on April 19, 1981, in Fall River, Tracy's life was a testament to kindness, hard work, and unwavering family devotion.

A graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Tracy’s was a CNA for 25 years and had worked at Saint Anne's Hospital. Beyond her role as a CNA, she was also a personal advocate for the disabled through her work with Lifestream, tirelessly championing the rights and needs of those she supported. Tracy further demonstrated her dedication to her community by driving buses for Amaral Bus Company, ensuring safe and reliable transportation for many.

Those who knew Tracy remember her as someone incredibly handy and resourceful, always ready to fix what was broken and maintain a clean, welcoming home. Her pride in her ability to create order and beauty extended beyond practical matters; she was also an artist who loved to draw and engage in artsy projects. Additionally, Tracy found great joy and fulfillment in cooking, sharing her culinary talents with family and friends.

Family was the core of Tracy’s heart.

Besides her loving husband, she leaves her cherished son, Trejon Vieira-Goncalves, her parents, Eduardo M. Vieira and Manuela M. (DoRego) Vieira, her brothers Brian Vieira, wife Liz, and Gary Vieira, wife Leslie, and nieces and nephews, Lucas Vieira, Olivia Vieira, Dante Ransom, Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaac Goncalves and nieces, Davi'an Goncalves, husband Marvin Cupidon, Asiya Ransom, Natalia Goncalves.

She also leaves her mother-in-law, Natalia (DeAndrade) Almeida, (late father-in-law Luis dePina Goncalves) and sister-in-law Jovina and brother-in-law David Goncalves, Jose "Ze" Goncalves, wife Joanna and Steve Goncalves, wife Deborah, and her best friend, Meagan Oliviera.

A visitation and a funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Auclair Funeral Home, located at 690 South Main Street, Fall River. The visitation will take place from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, with the funeral service beginning at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to AutismSpeaks.org.

03/25/2026

Sheri E. Lelievre, 63, of Somerset, also known as "Sunshyne", an executive secretary in the medical research field, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Born on February 4, 1963, in Newport, Rhode Island, Sheri was known for her generosity, warmth, and unique passion for collecting items adorned with the sun.

A proud graduate of BMC Durfee High School and Bristol Community College, Sheri also served her country with honor in the United States Navy, a testament to her dedication and strength of character.

Sheri’s family and friends remember her as a kind soul who always put others before herself.

She is lovingly survived by her husband, Daniel C. "Buzzard" Lelievre, to whom she was married for 20 wonderful years; her cousin, Jonathan Zerbus of Middletown, Rhode Island; her goddaughter, Emily Standfill; and her best friend, Gail Goncalo.

She was predeceased by her parents, John Gordon and Jane E. (Brawner) Gordon.

A visitation to honor Sheri’s life and legacy will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Auclair Funeral Home, located at 690 South Main Street, Fall River, Massachusetts.

03/25/2026

Mary (Avilla) Lafontaine, 99, formerly of Fall River, passed away March 16, 2026. She was employed by Carousel Curtain and Lamport. After her retirement, Mary enjoyed volunteering at the voting polls at Belisle School. Mary was a former member of the Sakonnet Seniors Club, Blessed Sacrament Church, its Woman's Guild and Holy Ghost Church. She received the Marian Medal.

She was the wife of the late Francis N. Lafontaine, the daughter of the late Antone and Rosa (Borges) Avilla, and was predeceased by her 11 siblings.

Mary leaves a daughter, Dianne Wheeler (husband James) of Clifton, Colorado;

granddaughter, Susan Relaford (husband Scott) and their children Wyatt, Keri and Dylan of Hays, Kansas; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 22 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main St. Fall River.

Her funeral was held Monday, March 23, at 9:00 AM from the funeral home, with a Funeral Mass in Holy Ghost Church, Judson St. Tiverton, at 10:00 A.M

Entombment, Notre Dame Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to StJude.org. or Marion Manor.

03/17/2026

Alan W. Rioux, 75, a devoted husband, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, March 16, 2026, with his family by his side. Born on December 26, 1950, in Fall River, Massachusetts, Alan lived a life grounded in family, passion, and dedication.

Alan’s remarkable career took him across the United States as a truck driver, a profession in which he took great pride. Yet beyond the miles traveled and roads crossed, his greatest love was his wife, Karen R. (Dolan) Rioux, to whom he was married for 57 cherished years. Indeed, Karen was his world, the unwavering center of his life, and their partnership was a testament to enduring love and commitment.

Known for his many interests and hobbies, Alan was an avid fisherman and gardener whose care extended beyond plants and waterways to his family and friends. He was a skilled cook and embraced the camaraderie of sports—both watching games on television and actively playing softball as a catcher. His passion for the game extended to coaching, where he shared his knowledge and enthusiasm with younger generations. Enthusiasts of fine automobiles may recall his membership in the Corvette Club, reflecting his deep love for cars.

Alan is survived by a loving and extensive family who held him dear: his wife Karen; daughters Tammy Rioux (life partner Andrew Nyman), Lisa Bandara (husband Manuel), and Michelle Rioux; and grandchildren Lesslie Almeida (husband Brian), Joshua Pento (wife Kayla), the late Samantha Pento, the late Sydney Picard, Cassandra Rioux (fiance Brandon Costa), Alexis Curiel Jaquez (husband Gabriel), Avery Bandara-Bolduc (husband Mitchell), David Santasaver, and Nathaniel Barsana. His legacy also lives on through the joy he found in his great-grandchildren—Aiden, Rylan, Jada, Landon, Brooke, Riley, Dallas, Denver, William, Luna, Olive, Eleanor, Theodore, and great-grandson Kymonie. Alan's siblings, Carol Pacheco Lake, Susan Rioux Costa, the late Patricia Pacheco, and the late Richard Pacheco.

Alan was predeceased by his beloved parents, Raymond J. Rioux and Olive (Silvia) Rioux.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Auclair Funeral Home, located at 690 South Main Street, Fall River, MA 02721. The funeral service will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

03/16/2026

TIVERTON, RI – Fernando H. Soares, age 76, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Charlton Memorial Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family. He was the devoted husband of Elza Soares, with whom he shared 52 wonderful years of marriage.

Born on August 13, 1949, in Conceição (Horta) on the Island of Faial in the Açores, Fernando was the son of the late Antonio Machado Soares and Maria Berta DaRosa. He was raised with care by his late maternal grandfather, Francisco Garcia DaRosa.

Before immigrating to the United States in 1973, Fernando served with honor in the Portuguese Army during the Angolan War. His early career also took him to the Algarve, where he showcased his talents as a pastry chef at the prestigious Hotel Penina.

Upon arriving in New England, Fernando became a fixture in the local workforce. He worked for ITT in Pawtucket, RI, followed by many dedicated years at F.C. Construction in Tiverton and the Brayton Point Power Plant in Somerset. He was a proud and longtime member of the Laborers’ Local Union 610.

Fernando was a man of firm traditional values and a warm heart. His persistence in life was matched only by his profound generosity. He found his greatest joy in the "simple life," particularly on his backyard farm where he tended to his beloved horses and goats. An avid soccer fan, he could always be found cheering on his favorite team, Benfica.

A gifted musician, Fernando’s soul lived in his music. He was a multi-instrumentalist who played the saxophone, trumpet, and guitar for various bands, most notably “Amadores Açoreanos.” With an amazing voice and a vibrant personality, he was truly the life of every party.

Above all else, Fernando was a dedicated family man. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elza; his two daughters, Diane M. Soares and Natasha Costa; and his siblings, Mario Soares (wife Manuela) and Conceição Soares.

He was the proud grandfather of Cameron, Anycia, Avahrey, and Cash, and the great-grandfather of Brielle and Nylani. He also leaves behind his godchildren, Mario H. Soares Jr. and Nancy Aguiar, along with many extended family members and friends who will miss his kindness and spirit.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at St. Theresa’s Church, 265 Stafford Road, Tiverton, RI. Entombment was in Notre Dame Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Fernando’s memory to the American Lung Association.

03/09/2026

Teresa Pereira a cherished matriarch and beloved member of the Fall River community, passed away on March 8, 2026, at Saint Anne's Hospital. Born on September 3, 1946, in Santo Antonio, Sao Miguel, Açores, she lived a life characterized by unwavering faith and dedication to her family.

As a skilled seamstress, Teresa contributed her talents to Darwood and Shirt World for many years, where her work was a reflection of her meticulous attention to detail.

She was a woman of extreme faith, deeply devoted to her spirituality and a committed parishioner at Santo Christo Church in Fall River. Her daily routine included watching Mass on ETWN, a Catholic television network, which brought her peace and solace. She also loved animals and tending to her many house plants.

Teresa was a loving mother to her children, Cesar Pereira (fiancee Nelly Botelho), Bernadette Pereira, Christina Pereira (Glenn Barboza), Nancy Pereira, the late Diane Robinson, and Margaret Batcheller, who was like a daughter to her; the grandmother of Ashley Pereira, Tyler Quin-Periera, Dominique Pereira, Kayla Arruda, Christine Cabral Hughes, Catherine Cabral, Jeffrey M. Hanoud Jr, Laryah Johnson; the great-grandmother of Laniyah, Jordyn, Olivia, Luca, and Ronan; the sister of Olivia Camara, Lucy Estrella, Clara Borges, Jeremias Carvalho, Cesar Carvalho, Luis Carvalho, Jose M. Carvalho, Boanerges Carvalho and the late Antonio Carvalho and John Carvalho. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews.

Teresa was preceded in death by her former spouse, Manuel G. Pereira, and her parents, Francisco Carvalho and Maria Olivia Pimentel Carvalho.

Family and friends are invited to honor Teresa's visitation at Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main Street, Fall River, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 4 PM to 7 PM.

Her funeral will be held Friday, March 13 at 8:00 AM from the funeral home with a Funeral Mass at Santo Christo Church, at 9:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Fall River.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Santo Christo Parish, 185 Canal St. Fall River, MA 02721.

03/09/2026

Julienne M. Picard,74, a beloved member of the Fall River community and a cherished family historian, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on February 17, 2026. Born on October 10, 1951, in Fall River, she was a guiding light who dedicated her life to her family, community, and faith.

Julienne's career started at at Pioneer Finishing in the government laboratory. She was also the manager of the County Fair Flea Market in New Bedford, where her organizational skills shone brightly.

She was a devoted volunteer foster grandparent at the Letourneau School and an active member of St. Stanislaus Parish, where she served as a CCD teacher.

She graduated from St. Anthony Catholic High School in New Bedford and later earned an Associate Degree from Bristol Community College.

As the family historian, Julienne took immense pride in organizing the Picard family tree and planning the annual Picard family picnics, fostering connections among relatives and celebrating their heritage. Her memory will be cherished for the love and dedication she showed in keeping the family history alive.

Julienne enjoyed a variety of hobbies that brought her joy, including working on crossword puzzles, watching television game shows, and following the Hallmark Channel. She found happiness in these simple pleasures, sharing many memorable moments with her family.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey David Swauger, Jr.; her sister, Gertrude Picard; and her brother, Adelard "Del" Picard Sr. and several nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Julienne was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur N. Picard and Martha C. (Houde) Picard, and her sister, Virginia Swauger.

Her funeral service will be held at St. Stanislaus Church in Fall River, Massachusetts, on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

03/09/2026

Aldam T. Tessier, Jr., 90, of Somerset, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026. He was the husband of the late Joan (Costa) Tessier, with whom he shared 65 years of marriage.

Born in Fall River, he was the son of Aldam and Ella (Roi) Tessier.

In his free time, Aldam loved to cook for his family. For many years he was a woodworking teacher at Matthew J. Kuss Middle School. In addition, he spent his summer nights working as a projectionist. He enjoyed watching shows at the Providence Performing Arts Center, traveling the world with his wife Joan, and being a fan of the Red Sox and New England Patriots. Above all he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought him immense pride and joy.

Aldam was the loving father of Deborah Wilcox, Steven Tessier, wife Mary, Cynthia Costa, husband Robert, and the late Kevin Tessier, wife Cindy Tessier. A proud grandfather to Tina, John, Kimberly, Justin, Nicole, Stephanie, Jonathan, the late James Tessier, and the late Amy Tessier. In addition, he was honored to be a great grandfather to his eleven great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Flo Nadeau, Normand "Buster" Tessier, and Yvette Mackie.

His Services will be announced shortly.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the :

James Tessier Memorial Scholarship, 80 West Street Carver, MA 02330 Attention: Rosemary Mastropietro, and or, Autism Speaks.

03/09/2026

Richard W. Laprise, 78, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at his home in Assonet, Massachusetts.

He was the husband of Kathleen M. (Jennings) Laprise, whom he was married to for 56 years and were together for a total of 61years.

Richard and his wife owned and operated Appliance Mart in Brockton, MA and he also worked at Nate Lions Warehouse.

He was a proud graduate of Monsignor Prevost High School (Class of 1965) and Southern Massachusetts University (Class of 1969) where he was pledgemaster for Epsilon Phi Pi, where he graduated with a BA in Business Management.

Together with his wife, Richard embraced an active lifestyle. Together they enjoyed numerous activities, including golf, tennis, and boating. Richard had a deep love for vacationing, particularly for cruising, creating cherished memories that he held dear throughout his life.

Besides his wife, Richard leaves his daughter, Cheri Antelo; his son, Jonathan Laprise and his fiancée Stephanie Pacheco; his brother, Robert O. Laprise and his wife Mary Ann; a nephew, David Laprise, a niece, Nicole Laprise along with many cherished in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ovide L. Laprise and Yvette L. (Banville) Laprise.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main Street, Fall River.

His funeral will be held Tuesday, March 10 at 8:45 A.M. from the funeral home, with a Funeral Mass at St. Bernard Church, 30 South St. Assonet, at 10:00 AM.

Burial to follow at Notre Dame Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Jimmy Fund, https://www.jimmyfund.org/ or by mail at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. The family would also like to thank the Compassionate Care team for the care that was provided for Richard and family.

03/04/2026

Jeannette Cecil (Levasseur) Guimond, 90, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2026, leaving a legacy of love and warmth in the lives she touched. Jeannette was surrounded by her loved ones during her life, and during her final days and moments. Jeannette was predeceased by her loving husband of 54 years, Gilbert D. Guimond, Sr. They adored and cherished each other all of their lives and beyond. They were best friends.

A Licensed Massage Therapist, Jeannette owned her own business, Hands That Touch The Heart, in Tiverton, Rhode Island, where she brought healing and comfort to many through her dedicated work. Jeannette connected with her clients in a positive and uplifting manner. She was an appreciative, active communicant of St. Theresa's Parish. The Church was uplifting for Jeannette. It is where she was comforted and healed.

Jeannette was the proud “Mrs. G”, of her husband’s country store, Guimond Farms, in Tiverton, R.I. Her daily visits to the counter for her groceries were uplifting to all the employees. They would love to be the one to wait on her and ‘ring her up’ for the day. Jeannette was appreciative and proud of her Mother and Father in-law, Eva and Arthur Guimond. Jeannette was appreciative and proud of her Sister and brother in-law, Cecile and Arthur Guimond, Jr., and all of their children. Jeannette spent her life being part of the Guimond Farms Family.

Jeannette was a proud advocate for SSTAR and actively participated in the 12-step program, demonstrating her commitment to personal growth and support for others. After Jeannette’s recovery, she sponsored many people and guided them through the 12 steps and onto recovery.

She cherished her time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Grammy". She was always able to, ‘Get on their level’, in order to play with them and teach them about life and about God. Jeannette loved being “Grammy”.

Jeannette is survived by five children, Suzanne M. Pavao and husband Kevin of Somerset, Arthur C. Guimond of Tiverton, Irene M. Souza and husband John of Tiverton, Margo M. Godfrey and husband Ken of Mystic, CT, and Gilbert D. "Gibby" Guimond, Jr. and wife Kathleen of Barnstable, MA. She also adored her nine grandchildren: Kelsey Kolic, Grace Faria and husband Timothy, Joseph Guimond and wife Caitlin, Amanda Bearden and husband Tanner, Ryan Bigelow and partner Emily Callahan, Tenley Godfrey, Sam Godfrey, Leanne Guimond, Gibson Guimond, along with her eight great-grandchildren: Kevin Kolic, Martin Kolic, Nora Faria, Raegan Sousa, Caroline Sousa, Emery Rosenthal, James Bigelow, and Jackman Guimond. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews.

The last of her siblings, she was the sister of the late Sr. Lucille Levasseur, Dolores Reis, Marguerite Barrett, Irene Bellenoit Levasseur, Madeleine Mansfield, Julliette Levasseur and George, Jean, Leonard, and Maurice Levasseur. She was the daughter of Pierre and Eglantin (Jarry) Levasseur.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 10, at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa Church, 265 Stafford Rd. Tiverton. Reception to immediately follow at Rachel’s Lakeside.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Stanley Street Treatment and Resources, 386 Stanley Street, Fall River, MA 02720 Attention: Development, or St. Theresa Church, 265 Stafford Rd. Tiverton, RI 02878.

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