Beloved Local Doctor who Kept Generations Healthy Dies at 84

NARRAGANSETT—A doctor whose gentle hand, good humor and thoughtful demeanor brought comfort to countless South County families for decades has died at the age of 84.

Dr. Laurence E. Bouchard, of Narragansett, died Friday at South County Hospital, leaving behind family, friends and former patients who loved the man not just because he was a good doctor, but a good man.

Bouchard, who practiced out of a humble office on Lambert Street in Narragansett, died at a hospital that carries on his legacy through the good work of physicians who have followed in his footsteps. He was the first doctor of osteopathic medicine to be appointed to South County Hospital earlier in his career and rose to prominence as a national leader in the profession, testifying before Congress and serving as the president of the American Osteopathic Association.

Bouchard is the kind of doctor portrayed from the bygone era depicted in Normal Rockwell paintings. He took care of entire families, watching little boys and girls grow into adulthood. And then he took care of their children.

Bouchard also served as the town of Narragansett’s police surgeon for decades, a role that brought him in close contact with officers of all stripes. He was known to invite officers to his kitchen table when their shifts ended so they could be at work the next day. In a time before breathalyzer tests, he was the person who schlepped to the police station in the middle of the night to determine if someone was drunk or not. Police chiefs have sworn that he alone saved the town of Narragansett countless overtime dollars.

One former police chief, J. David Smith, told this reporter in 2005 that Bouchard once took time to see an officer on the same day his own wife passed away.

A baseball fan, his office was crammed with memorabilia, most of it all revolving around the New York Yankees.

Bouchard also served as the town’s school physician for 25 years. And he once served the role of sanitation and quality control inspector at local restaurants before the responsibility fell under the state Department of Health.

Bouchard will be remembered for his sense of humor, too. He was the rare type of family doctor that people looked forward to seeing since they tended to leave with a smile. He was able to put patients at ease.

Others will remember Bouchard as the doctor who was able to solve a problem that no other doctor could, like an aching back or creaky neck. Or for saving their lives, perhaps by detecting a thyroid problem during a routine physical with a blood test that wasn’t normally part of the routine.

“He was a person who deserved every ounce of respect he was given,” said Deborah Debbie Famiglietti on a Facebook page devoted to Narragansett and South Kingstown history and memories.

Share your memories in the comments, if you wish. If enough people post, a future story reflecting on Bouchard’s legacy is possible.

A complete obituary is below:

Dr. Laurence E. Bouchard, of Narragansett, RI, passed away on Friday, Dec. 11 at South County Hospital in Wakefield, RI. He was born on Sept. 17, 1931 in Haverhill, Massachusetts, to Elphege “Benny” and Antoinette (Eno) Bouchard. Dr. Bouchard was married to the late Yvonne Ninette (Ayer) Bouchard for 51 years.

Dr. Bouchard graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1962 and practiced family medicine in South County for 51 years. He was extremely devoted to his patients and profession. His patients often expressed their appreciation of his attentive and capable care. He was the first doctor of osteopathic medicine to be appointed to South County Hospital where he paved the way for many Osteopathic physicians after him. He became a national leader in his profession, testifying before Congress about the American health care system as President of the American Osteopathic Association (elected in 1993). Also, he served many positions at the University of New England including as a member of the board of trustees, and took great pride in the establishment of the medical school there in 1977.

Larry enjoyed traveling, skiing, sailing and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the Montreal Canadians. He was a loving father and husband and an insightful and amusing conversationalist. His life was filled with many happy memories with family and friends and will be sorely missed by all.

Larry is survived by his brother, Roy, and his wife Marie, daughters Colette Bouchard and her partner Steve Hirshon, Renee Katz and her husband Cliff, and Laurene Schwenke and her husband Patrick; as well as four grandchildren, Erin Sherman, Ryan Sherman, Jarret Katz and Michelle Katz. His daughter Elaine Sherman and his wife Ninette were predeceased.

Visiting hours are Friday December 18th from 4-7pm at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Saturday December 19th at 11:00 followed by a gathering at the church hall. Donations may be made in his memory to University of New England, c/o Institutional Advancement, 716 Stevens Ave., Portland, ME 04103 for College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) Scholarships

Photo: Dr. Laurence Bouchard receives the first “Laurence E. Bouchard D.O. Outstanding Service Award” at a Rhode Island Society of Ostepathic Physicians & Surgeons conference in Boston in 2013. Photo used with permission.