J. Richard Cottreau, age 89 of Tiverton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022. Born in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia, Richard was the beloved husband of the late Ida J. (Frost) Cottreau and the son of the late Jean D. and Marie S. (Comeau) Cottreau.

Survivors include his 2 daughters: Louise Marie Dias and Jaime Beth Medeiros (husband Thomas) all of Swansea; 5 grandchildren: Melanie, David, Tyler, Kyle, and Jennifer; 2 great grandchildren: Jake and Leila; along with several nieces & nephews. Richard was also the brother of the late Lilianne Malone and Barbara M. Blagdon.

At the age of 19, Richie designed and built his first boat. Over a 60-year period, Richie estimated he had built 600 boats, from eight-foot dinghies to 46-foot fishing vessels. Around New England he was known as a master craftsman, a builder of some of the best-made boats in the region.

Richie began teaching his first boatbuilding course in his boat shed in Tiverton, RI for the University of Rhode Island Division of University Extension. The students who signed up for the non-credit evening course come from a variety of backgrounds. Engineers, retired executives and local fisherman. Some took the course as a way to relax, others to learn a new hobby. Richie was patient. Instructions were explained carefully in a quiet voice, as he went from boat to boat.

Richie's funeral service will take place in the Manuel Rogers Funeral Home, 1521 N. Main St., Fall River on Tuesday, Jan. 3 ^rd at 10:00 A.M. followed by a graveside interment in Pocasset Hill Cemetery, Tiverton. Calling hours on Monday, Jan. 2 ^nd from 4-7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amedisys (Beacon) Hospice, 1 Catamore Blvd., E. Providence, RI. 02914. To offer words of sympathy to the family, please go to www.rogersfuneral.com .