Our History

The Hobbs Funeral Home was founded by Frank Hobbs, Sr. and Elizabeth A. (Betty) Hobbs in November, 1941, and remains a local, independently-owned funeral home, serving families of all faiths.

(the following is from founder Betty Hobbs’ recollections)

With no money, no credit and an unknown name in the community, we pursued every channel possible to purchase the original home on Cottage Road, knowing the location was fine and the area was in need of a caring funeral home.

Frank figured if we had 12 calls our first year, and got our name established, we could manage. And yes, we had exactly 12 calls with families who had great faith in him and so, by word of mouth, we began our business. Advertising was taboo in 1941 and beepers and cell phones were unheard of, so this meant someone had to be "on call" by the phone or easy to reach constantly. We rented our hearse and ambulance, both of which came with a driver.

Our first call came December 1, 1941. Because people were coming to the service from California, we scheduled the funeral for Sunday, December 7. This gave us the needed time to get rugs and furniture in place, plus papering and painting in the two front rooms. My mother borrowed a sewing machine and made beautiful draperies from material I had purchased. Folding chairs and lamps were loaned to us by two Portland funeral homes and the service was held.

Not until we were cleaning up and getting ready to return the equipment did we turn on the radio -- and learn of the bombing of Pearl Harbor!

Beside being a funeral director, Frank was very active in the community. He was a member and very involved in all of the activities in the First Congregational Church, belonged to the Masons, Lions Club, Eskimos Club, served on Civilian Defense groups and the South Portland Board of Industry, etc.

In June 1979, Jeff talked with his father about coming into the business. After graduating from college, he had worked in different fields in business, and now had made up his mind that he wanted to be a part of the family business. Frank was so happy, realizing the Hobbs Funeral Home would always be in good hands.

That was June 26, 1979, and he went to bed happy that his dream would come true. In the morning, I found him and realized he had died in his sleep. As stunned as I was, I felt -- and still do -- that it was wonderful for him to know of Jeff's plans and wonderful for Jeff to have had the privilege of sharing them with his father.

Frank was a gentle man, a friend to all, a wonderful father and husband whose work continues today. Always he was striving to think what more he could do to help families through the emotional, difficult days.

Frank, Jr. has now retired and Jeff is building on the foundation that his father laid.

The funeral business is a very personal business. We are here to help families in the most difficult time of their lives and this is very important to us.

Elizabeth A. Hobbs 1917- 2006	Frank Hobbs Sr. 1916 - 1979

Three generations of the Hobbs family have
served the Maine Community since 1941.
Shown here are: Jeffrey Hobbs
(2nd generation and current owner)
and Jeff Inman (3rd generation).