Obituary of Joseph L. Croteau

Joseph “Joe” L. Croteau  

June 12, 1958 – March 19, 2018                                                                              

Joseph Croteau, 59, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2018 at his home, after a long battle with cancer. He resided in Unadilla, NY.

Joe was born on June 12, 1958 in Centereach, LI, the son of the late Leo F Croteau & Ann M Hughes.

On June 25, 1977, Joe married Patricia “Pat” Roth in Valley Stream, LI.  They resided in Lake Ronkonkoma until 1987, when they moved to Unadilla, NY to raise their family. 

Joe served as Webelo Leader & Cub Master of Pack 88 and Assistant Scout Master of Troop 88 during the years of 1986 -1998.  He earned the Wood Badge & was a member of the Order of the Arrow.   Joe attended Boy Scout Camp with his sons for many years.

Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, playing guitar and singing special birthday wishes for his family.   He could be found often sitting at his computer or jamming to one of his favorite songs, Alice’s Restaurant.  Joe was also an avid Star Wars & Star Trek fan.

Through his life, Joe was always interested in learning sign language and took some classes at SUNY Stonybrook, LI. After moving to Unadilla, NY, Joe met a deaf person at church and introduced himself to her.   This started a lifetime friendship between our families and opened many new opportunities for Joe to get involved with the Deaf Community.  

Joe began working at Broome Community College on September 8, 1992 as a sign language interpreter.  He later took on the role of Coordinator of Interpreting Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing students at BCC, as well as the Coordinator of Note Taking Services.   He was actively involved in the Southern Tier Deaf Club as well as the Broome College ASL Club.

Joe is survived by his wife, Pat: son & daughter-in law, Tom and Ashley Croteau of Moorestown, NJ; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Erick Rodriguez of Brooklyn; son Brian Croteau of Unadilla, and son Andrew Croteau of Oneonta; his brothers, John Croteau of Unadilla, James Croteau & wife, Ann Marie & their three children – Matthew, Christopher, & Melissa, all from Unadilla.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren:  Zachary, Dylan & Renae Croteau, Nicholas Rodriguez, & Alyse, Declan, & Aidan Miller.

Joe lived a long and accomplished life and will be missed dearly by all his close friends and family.  The family would like to send a special thank you to the nurses & aides on 2 South at AO Fox Hospital. 

Friends may call Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel 21 Main St. Sidney. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 23, at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 15 Liberty St. Sidney with Rev. Fr. Bernard Osei Ampong officiating. Burial will be in Rogers Hollow Cemetery at a later date. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.landersfh.com

Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.