Richard N. Croteau

The funeral will be held from Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg on Tuesday, June 16, with a Mass in Saint Leo’s Church, Leominster at 11:30 am. Burial will follow in the MA Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 15, from 4-7pm in the funeral home.



Richard N. Croteau, 94, most recently of Ayer, MA, passed away peacefully in the early hours of June 12, 2015, at The Highlands in Fitchburg, after a period of declining health.

 

Richard was a member of the “Greatest Generation.” He was born in Fitchburg, MA on July 21, 1920, to Joseph and Agnes (Begnoche) Croteau, spending his formative years in the Cleghorn area. He graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1939, having proudly worn #49 for the Red Raiders football squad. In the early 1940s, Richard served his country in the United States Army in World War II (mostly in France). He married Althea Maxfield, also of Fitchburg, on July 24, 1943, and in 2008, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Except for 20 very enjoyable years spent living in Plymouth, MA from 1982-2002, Richard spent his life in the Twin Cities of Leominster and Fitchburg. He began his work career at Simonds Saw and Steel in Fitchburg. In 1955, he began working at Crocker Burbank / Weyerhaeuser / James River Company in Fitchburg, plying his trade as a millwright for 27 years until his retirement in 1982.

 

During his life, Richard was a member of St. Bernard’s Parish in Fitchburg, Holy Family of Nazareth Parish in Leominster, and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Plymouth, MA. His frequent vacation spots included some winters spent in Florida, and perhaps favorite of all, York Beach, Maine, where Richard and his family (and the generations to follow) spent countless vacation weeks playing wiffle ball and bocce, battling the waves, and eating lots of ice cream. Richard was, at his core, a family man – a good provider who was deeply devoted to his family throughout the different seasons of his life. He provided much humor over the years with his often mischievous joking and his frequent mispronunciations. He was an affable man who was well-liked by all who knew him. Among his leisure pursuits were following the Red Sox (he enjoyed them, most of the time), golfing, playing cards and games, and caring for the landscaping around his homes. Richard was a wonderful man here on Earth, and he continues to be a wonderful soul in Heaven. He will be dearly missed here, but his family knows that they will be reunited with him someday.

 

Richard is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Althea (Maxfield) Croteau, his parents, and a sister, Lucille, who passed at a young age. He is survived by his 2 children; daughter, Victoria Kimber (and son-in-law Stephen Kimber) of Westminster, MA; and son, Jay Croteau, of Southbridge, MA; his 5 grandchildren ; Matthew Kimber (and wife Stephanie Kimber), of Keene, NH; Katherine LaRose (and husband Andrew LaRose) of Worcester, MA; Michelle Salih (and husband Wasim Salih) of Worcester, MA; Travis Croteau of Southbridge, MA; and Vanessa Pugliese (and husband Scott Pugliese) of Worcester, MA; his 5 great-grandchildren ; Sam and Adam Salih, Allison and Connor LaRose, and Evangelina Kimber; his brother Gerard Croteau (and wife Ann) of Fitchburg, MA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

 

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to The Highlands in Fitchburg and HealthAlliance Hospital in Leominster for Richard’s care during his final days. Special gratitude goes to Nashoba Park Assisted Living in Ayer, where Richard had resided since 2012, for their care and many acts of kindness during his time spent there.