Donald Eugene Crotteau
September 19, 1932 ~ December 16, 2020
Donald Eugene Crotteau, 88, passed away peacefully at his Loudoun County home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, December 16, 2020.
Don was born September 19, 1932, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, son of the late Lester and Genevieve Crotteau and brother of the late Patricia Crotteau Stepanek. He was a 1950 graduate of Leo High School and began his architectural studies at the University of Illinois at Navy Pier. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the School of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1958. He also studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Corcoran School of Art.
Don is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 58 years, Marita Ellen Crotteau (née Burke). He was proud of his five children: Dr. Michelle Marie Genevieve Crotteau; Donald Joseph Crotteau (wife Laura); Thomas Burke Crotteau (wife Rachel); Colette Crotteau Mooney (husband Kevin); and John Delaney Crotteau. Don delighted in spending time with his 10 grandchildren: John Lee, Charlie, Delaney, Elliot, Jake, Mac, Regan, Owen, Jack, and Kiera. He also stayed close to his family in native Chicago, including brother-in-law Otto Stepanek, his niece Laura Nazarowski, and his nephews Andy Stepanek and Greg Stepanek.
A creative and analytical architect, Don practiced at firms in Chicago, New York, and the Washington DC area, where he specialized in educational buildings, hospitals, and historic preservation. Among his noted professional accomplishments was his participation in the 1983 renovation of Union Station, Washington DC, which saved the historic structure from demolition.
Don was a man of God with a special devotion to the Holy Spirit. He was reassured by his confidence that the Lord guided his path in life. He was inspired by the works of Thomas Merton, and had the privilege of meeting him.
Don was a strong, hard-working man who found peace in nature. He loved to feed and watch “his” birds on the feeders in his backyard. He was a SCUBA diver and fisherman, and the family enjoyed yearly trips to Holden Island, North Carolina.
Don was also a musician who brought joy to his listeners when playing accordion and singing polkas and other cheerful songs. He also was a member of the New Dominion Chorale in McLean, Virginia, and enjoyed the annual Messiah singalong at the Kennedy Center, whether on stage or in the audience with his family.
Don was a gifted visual artist who produced works in charcoal, watercolor, and oil. On a daily basis, Don’s artistry was reflected in drawings, sketches, beautiful lettering, photography, stonework, woodwork, giftwrapping, and continuous renovations and craftsmanship.
Don was a loving and generous family man, with a strong ethical code, a quick sense of humor, and a smile so bright that it made others smile.
A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Neumann Church in Reston, Virginia, and will be streamed at
https://boxcast.tv/view/mass-of-resurrection-for-don-crotteau-756256
Arrangements are being handled by Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna, Virginia. Donations in Don’s memory can be made to Loudoun Hunger Relief in Leesburg, Virginia.
Don was born September 19, 1932, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, son of the late Lester and Genevieve Crotteau and brother of the late Patricia Crotteau Stepanek. He was a 1950 graduate of Leo High School and began his architectural studies at the University of Illinois at Navy Pier. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the School of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1958. He also studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Corcoran School of Art.
Don is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 58 years, Marita Ellen Crotteau (née Burke). He was proud of his five children: Dr. Michelle Marie Genevieve Crotteau; Donald Joseph Crotteau (wife Laura); Thomas Burke Crotteau (wife Rachel); Colette Crotteau Mooney (husband Kevin); and John Delaney Crotteau. Don delighted in spending time with his 10 grandchildren: John Lee, Charlie, Delaney, Elliot, Jake, Mac, Regan, Owen, Jack, and Kiera. He also stayed close to his family in native Chicago, including brother-in-law Otto Stepanek, his niece Laura Nazarowski, and his nephews Andy Stepanek and Greg Stepanek.
A creative and analytical architect, Don practiced at firms in Chicago, New York, and the Washington DC area, where he specialized in educational buildings, hospitals, and historic preservation. Among his noted professional accomplishments was his participation in the 1983 renovation of Union Station, Washington DC, which saved the historic structure from demolition.
Don was a man of God with a special devotion to the Holy Spirit. He was reassured by his confidence that the Lord guided his path in life. He was inspired by the works of Thomas Merton, and had the privilege of meeting him.
Don was a strong, hard-working man who found peace in nature. He loved to feed and watch “his” birds on the feeders in his backyard. He was a SCUBA diver and fisherman, and the family enjoyed yearly trips to Holden Island, North Carolina.
Don was also a musician who brought joy to his listeners when playing accordion and singing polkas and other cheerful songs. He also was a member of the New Dominion Chorale in McLean, Virginia, and enjoyed the annual Messiah singalong at the Kennedy Center, whether on stage or in the audience with his family.
Don was a gifted visual artist who produced works in charcoal, watercolor, and oil. On a daily basis, Don’s artistry was reflected in drawings, sketches, beautiful lettering, photography, stonework, woodwork, giftwrapping, and continuous renovations and craftsmanship.
Don was a loving and generous family man, with a strong ethical code, a quick sense of humor, and a smile so bright that it made others smile.
A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Neumann Church in Reston, Virginia, and will be streamed at
https://boxcast.tv/view/mass-of-resurrection-for-don-crotteau-756256
Arrangements are being handled by Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna, Virginia. Donations in Don’s memory can be made to Loudoun Hunger Relief in Leesburg, Virginia.
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I was always struck by Don’s gentle, generous smile when he would enter the clubhouse. After I got to meet him and have conversations in particular about his work, he would share some of his story with me. When I asked questions, I felt like he was listening to me as if my questions and his helpful explanations were very important to him. I knew for sure he was a man where listening was valued as much as careful explanation. I saw first hand his love for his wife Marita and hers for him. Somewhere in your video archives, there is a short clip of Don and Marita dancing at Potomac Green. The sparkle between them is priceless. They truly enjoyed each other’s company. Don and Marita raised five wonderful children and their deep feelings for them were evident. Marita loved to tell her friends how the children’s text messages among them were exploding her phone’s capacity to keep up pace. We heard about the annual turkey cooking contest. We learned how the kids stepped in to help Marita and Don navigate certain things. It was just great to hear how strong their family unit was. It was an honor to know Don. I know God is saying,” Job well done on earth. Now it is time for you to put your many skills together making the Heavenly Gates even more beautiful! Love to your wonderful family, Anne McCue
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
I am very saddened by your family’s loss of such a kind, gentle man. Because of our age difference I didn’t have as many opportunities to see Donald as often as some first cousins do, but I was always in awe of his knowledge, loved to hear about his accomplishments and somewhat amazed by his genuine interest in other people’s activities. I certainly recall him as a very loving very patient father in a lively household when the children were smaller . My dad – his uncle Eugene – and my mom Anne were so fond of Donald (and Marita of course). Over the years I was privileged to hear many wonderful stories about your family’s goings-on and details of my parents’ trips to Virginia which they so looked forward to and treasured. I like to think there is a new Christmas angel now watching over us all.
Dear Marita and family, Charlene and I want to express our deepest sympathy to you with the passing of Don. We will always remember those choice years being next door neighbors and Don’s great and lasting positive impact on our family. He always extended to us a zest for life and, as a warm and wonderful person, a dedication to you, his family and neighborhood friends. Perhaps the words of Eliza R. Snow, an early Mormon writer, can best describe our thoughts for Don: “Vain are the trophies wealth can give! His memory needs no sculptor’s art, He’s left a name—his virtues live, Engraved on the tablets of our hearts”. We share your sorrow and truly know you are suffering a deep loss. We hope you are comforted to know that this life is but a step in our eternal progression. There is another realm where life goes on and those who have gone before us await our return. We will meet Don again. Oh, those great reunions await! May our Heavenly Father’s comfort and blessings be upon you and your family during this most difficult time. Sincerely, Col. Tom and Char Wood and family; Douglas, Angela, Tommy II, Michael and Matthew
I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. Mr. Crotteau was a pillar of Cinnamon Creek childhood and I have so many warm memories of his kindness, wit and genuine interest in people, not to mention his stoicism in dealing with a carful of teenagers first thing in the morning. His memory will certainly be a blessing to many. Sending love and sympathy at this difficult time—Melanie El-Sabaawi
Dear Crotteau family, I am thinking of all of you and so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful father and talented man. I have always loved the Crotteau Family chronicles and I know the man that engendered a generation of beach Olympians will be sorely missed. Sending much love, Happy Marino
Don is missed by us all and will never be forgotten. His smile, his infectious laugh, his amazing storytelling and his generosity to those he loved.