Chapter 1: The Inception of Atkinson & Lawrence

My oldest sister, Sarah Ouellet, has encouraged me to share the story of my father's business. While I could provide several engaging anecdotes, I hesitate to recount the entire narrative. The reason being, I was intimately part of that story, knowing many individuals associated with the company. I can certainly recall the amusing and uplifting moments, but there are also darker aspects that I prefer to leave unspoken.

Many of the key figures from that era are no longer with us; 1956 feels like an eternity ago, and the nature of the business wasn't always conducive to well-being. Like any organization, it had its share of good and bad people, and some who embodied both qualities. I aim to be truthful, yet I find myself reluctant to delve into the negative memories. What follows are merely facts, some conjectures, and snippets from my own recollections.

Section 1.2: Relocating to Natick

Not long after, the business transitioned to a rented office in downtown Natick, MA. Eventually, they purchased a house down a nearby side street to serve as their primary business location. According to my sister, they brought a secretary on board prior to this move.

Subsection 1.2.1: Sales and Service Operations

They specialized in selling industrial boilers, specifically Orr & Sembower fire tube boilers and Kewanee water tube boilers. To support their growing operations, they employed Frank Fraser, who later became the service manager.

Chapter 2: A Legacy of Family Involvement

The workforce was largely made up of family and close friends. My younger sister's husband was an early hire, and at least three sons of Art Atkinson were also employed there. Additionally, my wife’s brother, a husband of one of her friends, and the son of one of my father's childhood acquaintances worked in the company.

This was my first job alongside Donnie Atkinson. At just 13 years old, our summer task was to paint the house. In later years, we assisted in the service department, cleaning firetube boilers during weekends.

We earned $100 a day for those cleaning tasks, a remarkable sum for teenagers in the early 1960s when the average wage was about $1.25 per hour. The work was grueling—hot, dirty, and physically demanding. We emerged from those shifts covered in soot, with sore muscles from maneuvering long pipes fitted with wire brushes through the still-warm tubes.

I'm honestly surprised that I emerged from that experience unscathed.

The second video, "Sermon: About My Father's Business," explores the ethical and moral dimensions of running a family business.

Chapter 3: Continuing the Family Business

Donnie Atkinson later founded his own boiler sales and service company, eventually taking over Atkinson & Lawrence from another brother who briefly managed it after their father's passing. My father and I departed to start an unrelated venture in 1973, which we closed down in 1978.

My wife's brother also established his own boiler and burner sales company after his time at Atkinson & Lawrence. Another former employee, the husband of my wife's friend, also ventured into the heating sales and service industry after leaving.

The grandson of Art Atkinson recently took over the family business, now situated in Lancaster, MA, following the death of his father, Donnie, who had been my old friend from those early days.

The business has seen many changes, with my sister's former husband leaving in the early '80s to start his own service company, Boiler Equipment, Inc., which is now run by his eldest son.

As I reflect on these memories, I recognize the profound impact that the business had on our family and community. The legacy continues through the next generation, reminding us of our collective history and the lessons learned along the way.