1925 – 2013

INDIO, Calif. — Family patriarch Jean-Denis Nadeau passed from this life peacefully in the comfort of his home in Indio, Calif., on June 5. He was 87 years old.

Jean-Denis was born July 12, 1925, in St-Frédéric de Beauce, Quebec, Canada, the son of Donat and Simone Nadeau.

He received his education at Ecole Technique for welding, then was employed as a welder at Anglo Paper Company and Lauzon Shipyard, Quebec. Later, Jean-Denis moved to Rumford and continued his career as a welder at the Oxford Paper Company. Jean-Denis joined the U.S. Army near the end of World War II and served as a military policeman during the Occupation of Germany from 1945 to 1946.

Upon his return, he married Gloria R. Cote of Mexico. Jean-Denis and Gloria were married for 43 years, until her death in 1989.

Jean-Denis became a citizen of the United States in 1950. He went on to have a long career with the International Paper Company, where he advanced to mechanical engineer and finally to pulp mill piping supervisor in Jay. After retiring in 1985, he established his own company, J & D Consulting. He also served as commander of the VFW ME Post 3335 in Jay in 1995, 1996. He founded the Color Guard, which qualified for national competition in their second year. 

After retiring from International Paper and residing in Maine, Jean-Denis moved to Indio, Calif. with his daughter, Suzan.

He is survived by daughters, Sharon Nadeau and Suzan Marshall. He is also survived by his sisters, Suzanne Haines, Collette Nadeau, Denise Nadeau, Monique Walls and Nicole Turgeon, all of Québec; as well as granddaughter, Sheyanne Davis of Livermore Falls; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donat; mother, Simone; stepmother, Clemence; brother, Pepsi; wife, Gloria R.; and son, Dennis Ray.

We are all grateful for the wonderful care provided by Charter Hospice of the Desert in Indio, Calif. and for his personal care providers, Lynn and Sherree.

Jean-Denis was a loving and kind-hearted father, brother and friend and we will forever miss him. 

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.