Kenneth Croteau

Kenneth Steeves Croteau born June 16, 1953 in Bridgeport Connecticut and died December 6, 2010 in his home of 24 years, in Hesperia, California, surrounded by his loving family. He had been a resident of the High Desert for 29 years, working as a respiratory therapist for premature babies and for the last 15 years as part owner and Chief Operations Officer of Small Beginnings, Inc., and Caring Creations, Inc., companies that invented and manufactured products for neonatal care for hospitalized babies and other ventures; it was his passion. He achieved a Bachelor of Business Administration. He had been a volunteer on the Board of Directors for The Women's Domestic Violence Center in the High Desert, San Bernardino County Search and Rescue, and a part time teacher of Respiratory Therapists at Victor Valley College. He was recognized in the High Desert Daily Press Newspaper for developing a comprehensive educational series for the respiratory therapy department at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center. He fought against renal cancer the last 9 months of his life. His life was all about caring for others. He met his surviving wife, W. Debbra Croteau, while working at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, and on January 5th, they would have been married 24 years. He is the father of five: Jeremy (wife Angela), Julie (Bradley), Jeffery (Jen), Kayla, (Daryl) and Kandis (DJ). Dozens of young friends called him "DAD". He is the son of Leo and Barbara Croteau of Helendale, CA; Grandfather of Allyson, Ashley, Hayden and Derrick. Brother of Robert (Pam) and David (Gloria). Brother/Sister in-laws: Dutch (Mary) Long, Sheree (Norman) Burger, Sandee (Tom) Bartee; His is also survived by his Grandmother, Winifred Martin, Step-Mother-in-law Gerry Bohringer-Smith, and many loving uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and their children. He would want to recognize them all, but the list is too long. Pre-deceased by his father-in-laws Larry Bohringer and Edd Long; mother-in-law, Darlene Long, Brother-in-law Richard Bohringer, and all but one grandparent. His philosophy in life was that it was our job to care for others, and he lived it daily. He will be missed by All.
Services will be held at: Sunset Hills Chapel 24000 Waalew Road, Apple Valley Sunday December 12th at 12:00 pm. Reception to follow at the Croteau house, 7245 Jenkins Ave, Hesperia, CA 92345. All are welcome.