Louis J. Crateau, 90, of Danvers, died Thursday morning, October 28, 2010. He was the loving husband of Helen (Burnett) Crateau, who predeceased him in 1990.
Born in Danvers on March 5, 1920, he was the son of the late Louis and Marie (Castonguay) Crateau. He was raised and educated in Danvers and served honorably in the US Army during WWII. During the Battle of the Bulge, Mr. Crateau was captured by enemy forces and was a POW for several months. It was more than sixty years later, in 2007, that the military honored him with the medals he earned for his service.
He was employed for many years as a mechanic with Beacon Fast Freight. He also worked as a roofer and sider, and for more than twenty years worked for Curran Brothers Florists.
He enjoyed his daily coffee with the guys at the bakery or McDonalds and loved taking care of his home and working in his garden. He was a member of the Peabody-Lynn Elks #1409, the Danvers VFW C.W. Davis Post #2359, the American Legion, DAV, and the Seventh Armored Division Assoc.
He is survived by a daughter, Burnett Crateau and her longtime companion Norman Liversidge of Danvers, a sister, Evelyn Trod of Newbury, several nieces and nephews, and Derek Corriveau, who was very dear to him. He was predeceased by a sister, Beatrice Patterson.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010 at 10AM in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Margin St., Peabody. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Friday (today) from 4-7PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Donations in his memory may be made to Operation Troop Support, 16 Trinity St., Danvers, MA 01923 or the Danvers VFW, 5 Conant St., Danvers, MA 01923.