Louis Paul Croisetiere ... fought in Battle of Okinawa

ROCHESTER - Louis Paul Croisetiere, 92, of Rochester, died Monday, October 22, 2018 at the Riverside Rest Home. He was born in New Bedford, Mass., in 1926, the son of the late Florimond and Anne Marie Gobeil - Croisetiere. After his parents passed away very early in his life, he and his sister Marie Claire, were raised by their late Aunt and Uncle, Alice and Henry Warburton of Dover.
Louis attended Dover public schools, and after graduating from high school in 1944, he joined the Marines. Louis was assigned to the 6th Marine Division, and participated in combat operations during the Battle of Okinawa. He received the Purple Heart for wounds he received during the battle. For its actions at Okinawa, the 6th Marine Division earned a Presidential Unit Citation, "For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault and capture of Okinawa, April 1 to June 21, 1945." Then PFC Croisetiere was 18 years old when the battle started, and he turned 19 shortly before the battle ended. Louis' service in World War II serves as a reminder of the great sacrifices the young men and women of our nation made during World War II.
When World War II ended, the Division disbanded overseas on April 1, 1946, and Louis returned to Dover. He married Sophie Sarlanis in 1953, started a family, and a career as a machinist with GE Electric Meters in Somersworth that would last 44 years. Sophie passed away from complications brought on by Multiple Sclerosis in 1975.
Louis is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Janice Croisetiere of Rochester; daughter Amy and husband Jason of Scarborough, Maine; son Leo and wife Ruth of Dover, son Col. Paul Croisetiere, USMC (Ret.) and wife Susan of Drayden, Md.; stepdaughter Stephanie Deming and husband David of Lee; and stepdaughter Catina Wagner of Barrington; ten grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.