Donald G Marcotte
July 17, 1935 ~ January 24, 2019 (age 83) 83 Years Old
Tribute
Donald (“Don”) Marcotte was born July 17, 1935, in Oak Park, IL, son of Raymond and Lucille (Frigon) Marcotte.
Don spent much of his early childhood in Orlando, Florida, before his family moved back to Kankakee, IL. He entered the seminary after his junior year in high school with the Order of St. Viator in Chicago, IL. (He kept his family entertained with stories of his seminary adventures, from serving as the unofficial seminary barber to directing a high school choir.) He completed his bachelor’s degree at Loyola University, his master’s at Northwestern University, and his Ph.D. at Purdue University.
Don married Mary Frances Souhrada on Aug. 5, 1961.
Don’s first career was in education: he taught English at Rich East High School in Park Forest, IL (1960-1970); worked in school administration in Monroeville, PA (1970-72), and at Niles North High School in Skokie, IL (1972-76), before becoming principal of Geneva Community High School in Geneva, IL, in 1976. Don served as the president of the Illinois Principal’s Association from 1983-1984. He finished his career in education as superintendent of the Geneva School District.
After retiring in 1990, Don started a second career as a real estate agent in Marco Island, FL (where his slogan was “For Marco, See Marcotte”) and was named one of Century 21’s Top Producers in 2001. After his permanent retirement in 2007, he and Mary settled in the Forest Glen Golf and Country Club in Naples, FL, where he honed his tennis and golf games, and sang tenor in the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church choir.
In addition to being a fantastic husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Don loved fishing at his summer homes in Waupaca and Tomahawk, WI, could only occasionally be beaten in Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly, was a master of puzzles, and made the best garbage eggs in the world.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary; his daughters Susan (John) Schreiber of Champaign, IL; Linda (Keith) Jagiello of Littleton, CO; and Laura (David) Trch of Algonquin, IL; seven grandchildren: Andrea (Justin) Gumbel, Rachel Schreiber, Caity Jagiello, Matt Jagiello, Jake (Mady) Trch, Abby Trch, and Al Trch; and three great-grandchildren: Indie Trch, Benny Trch, and Ainsley Gumbel. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Helen) Marcotte of Paragould, AR.
Don kept his awesome personality and witty sense of humor until the end. “I have had the most wonderful life.”
There will be a visitation at Fuller Funeral Home, 4735 Tamiami Trail East on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 from 8am-9:30am followed by a Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VITAS Hospice, vitas.com.
Don spent much of his early childhood in Orlando, Florida, before his family moved back to Kankakee, IL. He entered the seminary after his junior year in high school with the Order of St. Viator in Chicago, IL. (He kept his family entertained with stories of his seminary adventures, from serving as the unofficial seminary barber to directing a high school choir.) He completed his bachelor’s degree at Loyola University, his master’s at Northwestern University, and his Ph.D. at Purdue University.
Don married Mary Frances Souhrada on Aug. 5, 1961.
Don’s first career was in education: he taught English at Rich East High School in Park Forest, IL (1960-1970); worked in school administration in Monroeville, PA (1970-72), and at Niles North High School in Skokie, IL (1972-76), before becoming principal of Geneva Community High School in Geneva, IL, in 1976. Don served as the president of the Illinois Principal’s Association from 1983-1984. He finished his career in education as superintendent of the Geneva School District.
After retiring in 1990, Don started a second career as a real estate agent in Marco Island, FL (where his slogan was “For Marco, See Marcotte”) and was named one of Century 21’s Top Producers in 2001. After his permanent retirement in 2007, he and Mary settled in the Forest Glen Golf and Country Club in Naples, FL, where he honed his tennis and golf games, and sang tenor in the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church choir.
In addition to being a fantastic husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Don loved fishing at his summer homes in Waupaca and Tomahawk, WI, could only occasionally be beaten in Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly, was a master of puzzles, and made the best garbage eggs in the world.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary; his daughters Susan (John) Schreiber of Champaign, IL; Linda (Keith) Jagiello of Littleton, CO; and Laura (David) Trch of Algonquin, IL; seven grandchildren: Andrea (Justin) Gumbel, Rachel Schreiber, Caity Jagiello, Matt Jagiello, Jake (Mady) Trch, Abby Trch, and Al Trch; and three great-grandchildren: Indie Trch, Benny Trch, and Ainsley Gumbel. He is also survived by his brother Robert (Helen) Marcotte of Paragould, AR.
Don kept his awesome personality and witty sense of humor until the end. “I have had the most wonderful life.”
There will be a visitation at Fuller Funeral Home, 4735 Tamiami Trail East on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 from 8am-9:30am followed by a Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church at 10am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VITAS Hospice, vitas.com.
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