Robert was born on Feb. 28, 1937 in Saco, the son of Joseph and Claudia (Martineau) Croteau.
On Sept. 14, 1957 he married Noella Croteau. The couple has two children Judy Ann and Michael Robert. Robert was a hardworking man and was best remembered for his entrepreneurship. In the 1960’s he owned and operated a car repair shop and gas station at halfway in Old Orchard Beach known as Bob’s Tulsa. He then moved to Elm Street in Saco in 1971 where he built Bob’s Exxon and Service Center. This would be his most successful venture. Here he employed many over the years, served the citizens of Saco and Biddeford and became a staple in his community. For years he donated generously to a variety of organizations, schools and sports teams.
Robert was a man that would give and give and never once expected anything in return. He truly saw the good in all people and a totally selfless man. Bob’s Exxon sponsored a Little League team for several years and still does to this day under the current name of Bob and Mike’s Mini Mart. He also sponsored a men’s softball team. Robert ran this business up until his retirement in 1998 when his son Michael and his wife Pam left their own gas station in the Portland/Westbrook area and joined Robert on Elm Street.
Aside from his knack for business he was an avid animal lover and enjoyed owning horses, caring for them and watching them compete in racing and harness events. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Robert was predeceased by his parents, brothers Emilien “Pete” Croteau, Raymond , Raoul “ Ralph” and Norman, Sisters Theresa Croteau, Yvette Labonte, Lillian Cyr, Rachael LaFlamme, Fernande Edwin-Page, and Laurette Ouellette.
Surviving is his wife Noella of 60 years; a daughter Judy Ann (Croteau) Reny and her husband Michael; a son Michael Robert Croteau and his wife Pam of Old Orchard Beach; two granddaughters Jessica Marie ( Croteau) Yeaton and her husband Matthew of Saco; Jennifer (Croteau) Morin and her husband James of Biddeford. He also leaves behind great-granddaughters Abigail, Madison, and Zoe who he loved so much. Brothers, Jerry Croteau and his wife Linda of Arundel, Wilfred Croteau and his wife Hugette of Old Orchard Beach, sisters Evelyn Menard of Massachusetts, Jacqueline Robson of Virginia, and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford on Wednesday May 16, 2018 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Deering Park .
Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home and Cremation 365 Main St., Saco are entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Maine Cancer Foundation, 170 US Route 1, Falmouth, Maine 04105 or to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route 1, Scarborough, Maine 04074.
Thank you Lorraine Lessard for her love and support.
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