Andrew B. Boch, 80, a towering figure in the New England automotive industry and the visionary founder of several major car dealerships along Route 1 in Norwood, passed away yesterday at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington following a brief illness.
A resident of Norwood, Mashpee, and Florida, Mr. Boch built a legendary business legacy that transformed Norwood’s commercial landscape and established a multi-generational automotive empire.
Born in Boston, Mr. Boch spent his early years living in Roxbury. After graduating from Boston English High School in 1921, he began his career as an auto mechanic for the Park Square Garage in Boston. He subsequently honed his trade during a 10-year tenure with the prominent Alvan T. Fuller auto dealership in Boston and worked at Norwood Auto for several years before launching his independent venture, Boch Sales and Service, in 1937.
In 1945, Mr. Boch achieved a milestone in regional commerce by establishing the first automobile dealership on Route 1, a venture that grew under the leadership of his sons to become the largest Nash and Rambler dealership in the United States. Over the decades, Mr. Boch expanded his footprint by founding Boch Oldsmobile, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and New England Subaru dealerships in Norwood, laying the groundwork for the modern “Automile.”
Beyond his commercial endeavors, Mr. Boch was deeply committed to his community. He was an active member of the Norwood Elks and the NAACP, and served as vice president of the John’s and Ashumet Ponds Association in Mashpee. Fifteen years prior to his passing, he established the Andrew B. Boch Scholarship at Norwood High School to support graduating students.
Mr. Boch is survived by his devoted wife, Ida (Scanzio) Boch; two sons, Ernest J. Boch and Richard R. Boch, both of Norwood; a daughter, Laura M. Fraser of Norwood; three brothers, Victor Boch of Norwell, Alfred Boch of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Alexander Boch of Chelmsford; 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Timothy’s Church, with burial to follow in Highland Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Paul J. Kraw-Leonardi Funeral Home, 1248 Washington St. Memorial donations may be made to Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Cancer Research, Burlington, MA 01803.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More In Memoriam Stories
-
Obituary: Irma U. Diggs, Longtime Norwood Educator, Community Leader, and Athlete-July 23, 1990
Community members in Norwood and Sharon are mourning the loss of Irma U. Diggs, a dedicated kindergarten teacher, Tufts athlete, and civic leader who passed away at age 75.
-
400 Gather to Mourn Slain Norwood Teen-June 15, 1990
A community gathers in grief as family, friends, and classmates from Norwood High School mourn a friendly teenager with dreams of Howard University.
-
In Memoriam: Clement A. Riley (1905–1988)
Norwood honors the life of Clement A. Riley, a towering figure in local government and state public safety whose decades of service left a lasting civic legacy.
-
Obituary: Charles C. Saraca, Former Official Led Anti-Smoking Campaign-August 27, 1986
Former Norwood school committee member Charles C. Saraca, known for his pioneering anti-smoking stance and dedication to youth sports, passes away at 68.
-
Francis W. Smith, Former Town Manager and Selectman, Passes Away-July 7, 1986
Francis W. Smith died Friday at Norwood Hospital after a brief illness. He was a former town manager and selectman with a long career in industrial engineering.
-
Andrew B. Boch, 80, Automobile Dealer and Route 1 Automotive Pioneer-August 8, 1985
Andrew B. Boch, founder of Norwood’s pioneering Route 1 automotive dealerships and patriarch of a legendary New England business family, died at age 80.
-
Richard P. “Butch” Barrett, 78, WWII Marine Veteran and Former Owner of Barrett Ice Co., Dies-September 4, 1984
Richard P. “Butch” Barrett, a lifelong Norwood resident, decorated World War II Marine Corps veteran, and longtime local businessman who operated the Barrett Ice Co. for 35 years, passed away at his home on Thursday at the age of 78. Military Service and Barrett Ice Co. Mr. Barrett answered the nation’s call during World War…
-
Remembering Peter A. Wilson: Founder of Norwood’s A & B Auto School-July 4, 1984
Peter A. Wilson, a staple of Norwood business and driver education for over 30 years, passed away in 1984, leaving a legacy of community service through A & B Auto School.
-
In Memoriam: Louis Orent, 94, Founder of Orent Brothers Clothing Store-May 15, 1983
Louis Orent, a pioneering figure in New England retail and a beloved member of the Norwood community, passed away Friday in Hollywood, Florida, at the age of 94. Known widely as the “dean of New England retail clothing merchants,” Mr. Orent leaves behind a legacy defined by entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and decades of service to…
-
Norwood Selectmen Dedicate Memorial Plaque to Longtime Zoning Board Member George S. Williamson-August 8, 1979
Town officials, colleagues, and family members gathered at town hall to dedicate a memorial plaque honoring George S. Williamson’s 20-year service record on the Norwood Zoning Board of Appeals.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.