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
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