GREENVILLE, S.C. — Joseph Edouard Croteau of Haywood Estates, Greenville, S.C., formerly of 12 Davis St., Lewiston, died Dec. 19.

He was born in Manchester, N.H., Aug. 8, 1918, of Gedeon and Alice Roux. He attended school in Berlin, N.H., where he lived most of his life, and graduated from Sanborn Seminary, Kingston, N.H., and Colby College, after which he attended McGill University before joining the U.S. Navy February 1943 to February 1946 at war in Guam and Okinawa.

After his discharge, he was an agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. in Hyde Park, Mass., as assistant manager in St. Johnsbury, Vt., and as insurance consultant in Lewiston, until his retirement in 1976.

On Sept. 1, 1947, he married Patricia Chaffers and both enjoyed 64 years together, traveling, and visiting their three children in different states and abroad. As a member of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, he served as president of the Parish Council, as acolyte and extraordinary eucharistic minister, A Word Sharer and Sponsor for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, and a member of Rotary Club. He followed Adult Education courses in art, woodworking and sign language.

Surviving are his wife Patricia; two daughters, Madeleine and husband, Philippe Duboe, of Pau, France, and Constance and husband, William Williamson, of Greenville, S.C.; one son, Pierre and wife, Deborah, of Manassas, Va.; grandchildren, Brad and Tara Williamson of Baltimore, Md., Abby and Jacob Graves of Birmingham, Ala., Jennifer Kamauff of Manasass, Va., Celine Duboe of Pau, France, Katlyn and Ryan Teele of Manassas, Va., and Emily Croteau of Manassas, Va.; and three great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by one sister, Lucille Riker.