Our History
Dyer-Lake Funeral Home was at one time the residence of Obed Robinson and his family. What is now Robinson Street was once lined with their factory buildings and led to the area of Robinsonville we know as Attleboro Falls. The house itself dates back to the first quarter of the 19th century and was built in the Greek Revival style. The flush board siding, the wide frieze board, and pilasters, were intended to create the character of the stone structure of a Greek temple.
The most unique element of the house remains the roof line. Atop the second story sits a glass enclosed belvedere, commonly known as a cupola, perhaps for Mr. Robinson to look out over his estate. The property has been used as a funeral home since 1963. The central hall plan of the main house stands as it once did. Among the original characteristics of the house that still remain to this day are the tiled brick fireplace surrounding the old dining room depicting scenes from "The Hunt." In what was once the kitchen is a unique cast iron cooking stove with combination baking and warming ovens built into the chimney.
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Thomas J. Paquette Jr., Manager and Funeral Director
Licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Tom is a 2004 graduate of FINE Mortuary College and a 1997 graduate of Cumberland High School in Cumberland, Rhode Island.Before joining Dyer-Lake in 2023, Tom had served families for almost twenty years in Rhode Island, most recently as the Managing Partner for a busy Providence funeral home.Tom has an innate and genuine passion for people with a unique penchant for putting people at ease, especially during their times of need and vulnerability. He truly listens to others, which enables him to provide personalized guidance and direction to the families he is privileged to serve. Tom takes great pride in his ability to translate the needs of others into meaningful funeral experiences. He has a strong desire and an ability to comfort people during their time of sorrow, compassionately assisting them throughout the bereavement proves with an unrivaled level of professionalism.A well-respected funeral director, Tom previously served as a member of the Rhode Island Funeral Directors Board of Governors and the Board of Directors of the Woodlawn-North Purchase Cemeteries Association, as well as Treasurer of the DaVinci Center for Community Progress in Providence, Rhode Island.He and his wife Sarah-Anne Paquette, a certified public accountant, reside in North Attleboro with their two children: Kendal and Camden, both students at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart School. He is an active member of the community and in his time away from Dyer-Lake, he enjoys volunteering and participating in a host of activities, including coaching several of his children’s sports teams. As a young man, Tom had the privilege of having been a Golden Gloves and Junior Olympic Champion.
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Timothy R. Nay, Funeral Director
Timothy Nay has been involved in funeral service for more than 40 years. Born in Peterborough, New Hampshire, he was raised and educated in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire, where he was a graduate of the Contoocoock Regional High School.He started in funeral service at the age of 16 at the Holt Funeral Homes in Henniker and Hillsboro, NH, and the Jellison Funeral Home in Peterborough, NH. In 1984, Timothy enrolled in the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Boston, MA, where he earned an associate degree in funeral service and graduated magna cum laude in 1986. He then attended Northeastern University and the former Bryant College, now Bryant University.His earlier career was not in the funeral industry, but rather in the field of financial services. Timothy worked in a variety of capacities spanning 12 years at Fidelity Investments in Boston where he was a licensed stockbroker, and as an insurance agent and district sales coordinator for AFLAC.A licensed funeral director in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Timothy has long been actively involved in the community, participating in a number of civic, social, and fraternal organizations, having served on a number of boards of directors over the years. His proudest civic contribution is in the formation of “The Ella Project” honoring his late grandmother which aids and feeds the homeless.Timothy has a love for travel, having sailed the Amazon, scaled to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro alone, and participated in several African safaris; unquestionably, though, his greatest satisfaction is having assisted thousands of families over the years during their time of grief
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Bonnie Cook, Office Manager
Bonnie, a graduate of Fisher College, has utilized her skills in accounting and business administration to excel in her career. With a strong educational background and extensive experience in the field, Bonnie currently holds the critical role of Office Manager, providing support not only to the back office but to the entire administrative team.After completing her studies, Bonnie embarked on her professional journey. She has spent several years as an Accounts Receivable Operations Order to Cash Supervisor, honing her skills and gaining valuable experience in the field.Bonnie is a remarkable individual who has made a significant impact on her local community in Attleboro, Massachusetts. As the wife of Jeff Cook, who co-owned the Cook Funeral Home with his father, Earl Cook, Bonnie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the funeral home business.Bonnie's involvement with the funeral home has allowed her to become deeply engaged with the local community. She understands the importance of providing compassionate and professional services to families during their most difficult times. Bonnie's empathy and attention to detail have made her an invaluable asset to the Dyer-Lake Family.
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Susan J. Farquharson, Business Office/ Funeral Attendant
Sue is a longtime resident of Norton, MA, where she lives with her husband Bob, Sue is the proud parent of her daughter, Marissa. Sue's dedication to her family and her deep-rooted connection to Norton makes her an integral part of the community. Sue's Journey started off as a Customer Service Representative at Canton Cooperative Bank for 17 years. She provided excellent service to all who came her way. As a customer service representative, Sue was known for her patience and kindness. She always went above and beyond to make sure that every customer was satisfied with their experience. After taking some time off to raise her daughter, Sue made the decision to join the business office of Dyer-Lake, where she has dedicated the past 25. Sue's role at Dyer-Lake goes above and beyond just greeting guests and ensuring they feel welcomed. She is a point person for all of the families' documents, ensuring that they are recorded correctly and kept in order.Sue's journey is an inspiration to us all. She has shown that no matter where life takes you, there is always an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Her ability to adapt and thrive in different roles is a true testament to her character. Sue is a shining example of what it means to be a caring and compassionate individual, and we are lucky to have her here at Dyer-Lake.
