Clark University - Clarknews fall 2007
In Memoriam (fall 2007)
John Tougas Croteau M.A. ’32, Ph.D. ’35 of South Bend, Ind., died on July 17, 2007, at the age of 97 after an extended illness. Born March 10, 1910, in Holbrook, Mass. Dr. Croteau was educated in Worcester, earning his B.A. at Holy Cross College and his master’s and doctorate in economics from Clark University.
Dr. Croteau was a prolific writer and maintained a long correspondence with Clark staff right up until his death. He was a generous benefactor of Clark, bequeathing his entire estate to the University to establish the John T. Croteau M.A. ’32, Ph.D. ’35 Endowed Chair in Economics.
Dr. Croteau began his career in 1933 in Canada as a professor at Prince of Wales College and St. Dunstan’s, courtesy of funding from the philanthropic Carnegie Corporation of New York to set up a regional library and endow the Carnegie Chair of Economics and Sociology to be shared between the two institutions. Over the next 12 years, he also served as director of Adult Education Programs, manager of the Credit Union League and the Prince Edward Island’s Cooperative Union, and executive secretary of the Adult Education League.
For his tireless efforts on behalf of working families, he became known in Canada as “The Apostle of the Co-operative Movement.” In recognition of his distinguished service in the credit union and cooperative movements, he received an honorary degree from University of Prince Edward Island in 1976.
Dr. Croteau left Prince Edward Island around 1946 to teach at Xavier University in Cincinnati and Catholic University in Washington, D.C. In 1953, he settled in as a professor at Notre Dame.
At various points throughout his career, Dr. Croteau served as consultant to the U.S. Bureau of Federal Credit Unions, consultant to the Social Security Administration, director of the Canadian Political Science Association and director of the Credit Union National Association. In 1955, he testified before the powerful Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. Congress to advocate retention of the federal income tax-exempt status of credit unions, a concession still employed today. From 1960 to 1969, he was president of the board of directors of the Notre Dame Federal Credit Union.
A remarkable scholar, Dr. Croteau wrote four major books: “A Regional Library and its Readers” (1940) with Henry Chandler; “Cradled in the Waves: The Story of a People’s Cooperative Achievement in Economic Betterment on Prince Edward Island” (1951); “The Federal Credit Union: Policy and Practice” (1956); and “The Economics of the Credit Union” (1963), which was translated into Spanish (1965), Korean (1966) and Portuguese (1968) and became a classic in its field.
Additionally, he produced over 20 monographs on credit union topics, 30 articles in professional journals as well as numerous book reviews. His active publishing and scholarly conference presentations continued for over a decade after his retirement from Notre Dame (1975) and a one-year appointment during 1975–76 as chair of the Department of Business Administration and Economics at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame. During the 1990s, he served as consultant on “Working Together: Two Centuries of Co-operation in Prince Edward Island” by Marian Bruce and Elizabeth Cran (Island Studies Press, 2004).
Respected by colleagues and students alike, he was awarded two other honorary degrees from St. Joseph’s University (1956) and the University of Moncton (1976).
Michael Jay Feldman ’69 of Longmeadow, Mass., passed away on June 17, 2007, at the Jewish Nursing Home after a brief illness at the age of 60.
A native of Holyoke, Mass., Mr. Feldman graduated from Clark University and New York University, earning degrees in business and finance. He pursued several avenues in his successful career, including investments, real estate and business entrepreneurship.
A member of the Jonas Clark Fellows, Mr. Feldman’s consistent support of Clark over the years underscored his commitment to the University and its mission.
Deaths
The following members of the Clark family have passed away. If you wish to contact any of the families, please call or write to the Alumni Office.
- Maud Arnold x’43, Worcester, Mass., July 31, 2007.
- William Capen ’50, Worcester, Mass., May 27, 2006.
- Leonard Cohen ’43, Metairie, La., May 23, 2007.
- Paul Connolly M.A.Ed. ’51, Worcester, Mass., July 5, 2007.
- Kenneth Connor ’62, Niagara Falls, N.Y., June 5, 2007.
- Donald Cormier ’66, Midland, Mo., July 7, 2007.
- Alan Coulter ’53, Gainesville, Va., April 29, 2007.
- John Tougas Croteau, M.A. ’32, Ph.D. ’35, South Bend, Ind., July 17, 2007.
- Kathryn Eaton ’78, Portland, Ore., May 26, 2007.
- Raymond Ellison ’42, Springfield, Mass., July 2, 2007.
- Michael Feldman ’69, Longmeadow, Mass., June 17, 2007.
- Samuel Gordon ’37, Worcester, Mass., July 8, 2007.
- Nancy Goss M.A. ’78, North Andover, Mass., July 10, 2007.
- John Hildreth ’64, Worcester, Mass., June 9, 2007.
- Gordon Hinzmann M.A. ’69, Ph.D. ’75, Orlando, Fla., May 22, 2007.
- Matthew Hott ’79, Long Meadow, Mass., May 24, 2004.
- Willard “Bill” Legg ’51, Spencer, Mass., June 16, 2007.
- Dale Miller ’65, Cheshire, Conn., March 14, 2007.
- Robert Mungai M.B.A. ’06, Worcester, Mass., Feb. 13, 2007.
- Jean (Lynch) O’Toole ’51, Redington Shores, Fla., June 17, 2007.
- O. Paul Reschke ’58, Webster, Mass., Aug. 20, 2007.
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Clarknews Fall 2007
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