Philip "Mitzi" H.. Croteau

Philip “Mitzi” H. Croteau, 92, of 13th Street died Wednesday 9/8/21 at home.  He was born in Turners Falls on May 23, 1929, the son of Gedeon and Elizabeth (Arel) Croteau.  Philip attended local schools and was a graduate of Turners Falls High School. 
Philip served in the United States Army during the Korean War, stationed in Frankfort, Germany.  Upon his discharge, Mitzi went to work for the Turners Falls Water Department for thirty seven years, retiring at the age of 62.  Mitzi was a call fireman for the Turners Falls Fire Department for many years.  Mitzi also worked as a bartender at St. Stan’s and St. Kaz in Turners Falls for over twenty five years. 
Mitzi had many interests including being an active Red Sox and Patriots fan.  He bowled many leagues at the FKBC for many years.  Besides his family, his greatest joy was being a little league coach for thirteen years with the Newt Guilbault League where he coached several hundred players.  His team was K of C and won several championships over the years and earned respect from all of his players.  Mitzi played on the Turners Falls Indian football and baseball teams and could tell you all the players on the teams. 
Mitzi enjoyed going to the casinos, especially in Atlantic City.  His favorite game was the poker machine. He lost interest when the casinos went to paper payouts.  No more bells and whistles when you won on the machines.  He didn’t like that.
In his younger years, you could find Mitzi in the garden during the summer and canning several hundred jars of that year’s yield. 
Among his survivors, Philip leaves three sons, Ronald and his wife Jeanne; Michael, his daily caretaker; and Kenneth and his wife Tracy; six grandchildren, Christine Bartus and her husband James, Robert Croteau and his wife Melissa, Amanda Olney and her significant other Brian Doolittle, Amber Olney and her significant other Peter Krejmas, Tayler Pennant and Nicholas Croteau and his significant other Jordyn Fiske; eight great grandchildren, Oliver, Elliot, Chole, Jaron, Bierden, Roman, Royce and Jordan; and three siblings, Elizabeth Mailloux, Gideon Croteau and Yvonne Evans.
He was predeceased by his wife, MaryAnn, after fifty years of marriage; a daughter, JoAnn Olney; a brother, Paul Croteau and a great grandson, Logan Croteau.
Mitzi would like to leave you with this: “GO BLUE, GO INDIANS”
Funeral services will be held Saturday 9/11 at 10am at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 1 Kostanski Square, Turners Falls. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Turners Falls. 
A calling hour will be held from 9am until the time of the service at the funeral home. 
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Newt Guilbault Little League, 37 Montague Street, Turners Falls, MA 01376 or to the St. Jude Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142. 
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com. 

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