Joseph Lloyd Croteau passed away at the age of 67 in the Whidbey General Hospital emergency room, after suffering a heart attack in his Oak Harbor home Thursday night, Jan 13, 2011.
He was born on July 28, 1943, in Newark, New Jersey. Raised alone by his mother, Joe spent his childhood in San Francisco until the age of 17, when he was accepted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He graduated from the Naval Academy at the age of 21, earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Relentlessly pursuant of knowledge, Joe obtained his first of three master’s degrees while on active duty in the Navy. He spent the majority of his career as a naval aviator flying A4 Skyhawk jets, completing two tours in Vietnam with a remarkable 201 combat missions. After suffering a brain tumor and five major brain surgeries at the age of 38, Joe was told he would lose forever the abilities to walk and speak. Overcoming this unfathomable obstacle was Joe’s sole purpose throughout his recovery, determined to surpass all medical expectations held by his doctors. Sooner than anyone could have thought, Joe regained his speech and was walking without the help of instruments. He had even regained his impeccable French diction. Prior to his accident, Joe enjoyed long-distance running. In the years following his recovery he would astound and baffle his peers and family by returning to walk in the St. Patrick’s Day Dash in Seattle. Despite being in last place, he finished the race with a police escort.
Joe had a drive to impart change and good in his community that was unrelenting as the later stages of his life would unfold. He served selflessly on the Board of Directors for New Leaf, a not-for-profit agency created by parents of adults with disabilities. His support and pride for New Leaf is well recognized and valued by the people there, whose lives he helped impact over the years. In addition, he gave six years of service on the Board of Directors for Senior Services of Island County. He later volunteered his time to serve the organizations that provide valuable services to veterans, including the Retired Activities Office at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
He is remembered by those close to him as a beloved father, dedicated husband and faithful friend. Joe possessed a powerful wisdom and a rare capacity for guidance. He inspired those around him with an unwavering enthusiasm for life. He is survived by his wife Barbara of Oak Harbor; his two daughters Melissa Croteau of San Diego, and Kristin (Wayne) Townrow of Nottingham, England; and grandson Druhan Townrow.
A visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Burley’s Funeral Home in Oak Harbor. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Oak Harbor. His burial will be at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville following the service.
Joe’s advocacy for disabled assistance persists even with his passing. On Joe’s behalf, his family invites all to join in this cause and contribute to disabled service organizations such as Guide Dogs of America (www.guidedogsofamerica.org) in his name.
Arrangements entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guestbook and leave memories for the family.
