- Date Of Birth: December 7, 1928
- Date Of Death: December 5, 2012
- State: Illinois
Long-time Geneva resident Paul M. DesCoteaux died December 5, 2012 of stroke-related illness. He was 83 years old.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Terry, and their five children: Denise (David) Fauntleroy of Geneva; Paul (Kerith) DesCoteaux of Geneva; Andrea DesCoteaux, of Geneva, David (Beverly) DesCoteaux of Maple Park; Aimee (Daniel) Rogowski of Aurora; and five grandchildren, Patrick, Andrew, Reinier, Emily and Eleanor.
During his professional career he was employed by Sun Oil Company (working in Japan with W. Edwards Deming), Standard Oil of Indiana (BP Amoco) where he was in charge of profit improvement, and as a Management Consultant for Lebanon Seaboard Corporation. During his career Paul enjoyed travelling the world, skiing in Switzerland and swimming with the sea lions in La Paz.
Known for his honesty, acerbic wit and the twinkle in his eye, he was a man of words and of his word. Paul was a life-long learner and volunteer. He volunteered for Fox Valley Literacy, was the founder of the Franklin Award and Scholarship for Science Education, and served on the Board of Directors of the Fermilab Friends for Science Education. He was a co-founder of Geneva Learners, a weekly study group focused on world affairs. He was instrumental in organizing the Fox Valley Chapter of The Socrates Café a global network of independent groups that meet to keep philosophical thinking in our midst.
He followed his favorite maxim: “Charity begins at home,” and believed in giving back to the community he loved. He was the founder of Geneva Beautification Committee and the public gardens found on downtown’s street corners.
Paul served as Geneva City Alderman for 21 years and was Interim Mayor in 1996.
Paul’s family invites friends to celebrate his life with them Thursday, December 20, 2012, from 4:00 to 8:00 at the Geneva Golf Club 831 South Street, Geneva.
