Dale Edward Brasseur Sr.'s Obituary
A quiet, stubborn old man has passed away. Defined by his old-school work ethic from the days when men did whatever was necessary to provide for their families, Dale Edward Brasseur, Sr., was a throwback, best described by a simple t-shirt worn by his nephew, Victor, “A Brasseur doesn’t quit when he’s tired, he quits when the job is done.” Born November 6, 1941, in Walled Lake, MI, he grew up on the family farm in Afton before joining the Navy in 1959, and travelling the world on various ships.
After the Navy, he married Kathy Burek, of Rowley, MA, in 1962. He bought a small one-room cabin on Bunker Rd, in Indian River, enlarging it himself to a 3-bedroom, one bath home in which they raised a son and daughter. In 1974, he moved the family to New England, living in Rowley and Newburyport before buying Archer Auto Co, in 1983, and settling in Lawrence, MA, in 1987 for the remainder of his life. Some 40+ years later, Archer Auto remains in the family and still successful.
In his 83 years, Dale worked as a lumberjack, truck driver, and scrap-metal worker among others, though his favorite job by far was operating the car crusher at Archer Auto well into his 70s, determined to add any extra weight he could before crushing. Even after his retirement in 2022, and up until a week before passing, and just sometimes to the annoyance of the workers, he made daily treks to Archer Auto to “supervise” operations. He also enjoyed NASCAR and television westerns.
Dale was predeceased by 9 brothers and sisters, and ex-wife Kathy, and survived by one brother, Neil, of Vanderbilt, MI, a daughter, Denise Kligerman and husband Greg, a son, Dale Brasseur, Jr., and wife Lori, grandchildren (to whom he was known alternatively as Grampy or Pal) Kevin Brasseur, Keith Brasseur, Samantha Wolf, Noah Kligerman, and Autumn Kligerman, six great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cat and best buddy, Bubba.
Calling hours will be Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 2-5 PM, at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen, MA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org. To share memories or offer condolences, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Dale?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dale?
Share a story where Dale's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dale you’ll never forget.
How did Dale make you smile?