Obituary of James Donald Cotreau

James Donald Cotreau passed away peacefully in Denville, New Jersey on Wednesday August 28th, 2024.  He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.

James was born to the late Narcisse and Beatrice Cotreau on October 9, 1936 in Medford, Massachusetts.  He married his sweetheart Janine Gaudet shortly after graduating college and then attended New England School of Law.  After attaining his law degree, he was offered a 2-year position at the Universal Postal Union (United Nations) in Bern, Switzerland.  James moved his growing family oversees and spent the next 9 years travelling throughout Europe.  While in Switzerland, he obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Friburgen.  He then moved his family back to Lynn, MA for one year before settling in Denville, NJ.

In Denville he was active in coaching his sons in soccer in the town’s youth league and was active in the yearly St. Clare’s Harvest Festival, sharing the Chairmanship one year with his wife.

Although we are deeply saddened by his passing, his family is comforted in knowing that he is reunited with his beloved sons David and Daniel, his grandson Daniel Walter and his parents Narcisse and Beatrice.

James is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Ann Marie Janine Cotreau, his devoted children James Cotreau Jr. and his wife Deborah, Michael Cotreau and his wife Kristin, Barbara Cotreau, wife of the late Daniel Cotreau, Thomas Cotreau and his wife Jill, and Cara Campbell (Mick Addeo).  James is also survived by his cherished grandchildren Melissa and Dave Fotusky, Rebecca Cotreau, Sarah Cotreau, Jensen Garboski, Tristan Cotreau, Michelle Jarman and Rebecca Jarman.

Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family for visitation on Wednesday September 4th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday September 5th at 10:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mountain Lakes, NJ.  Burial will be immediately following at Denville Cemetery, Denville, NJ.  Memorial Donations are being accepted in James’ memory to St. Jude’s Children Hospital by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation.  Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of James here to continue to celebrate his life and let his light shine, which his family will cherish always.