Obituary of Carlo Andreoletti

After a gruelling year’s battle with cancer, Carlo (aka “Tico”) Giacomo-Maria Andreoletti slipped away on 11 March, 2026, at Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare in Windsor, Ontario (Canada) at the age of 73, leaving behind the people he loved and who loved him. Born high in the Swiss Alps, he was the only son of the late Madeleine (née Fiaux) and Valter (aka “Carlo”) Andreoletti. At the age of three, he and his mother relocated to the picturesque town of Morges (Vaud) on the Lake of Geneva where he lived until his late twenties, until his “Boubie” captured his heart and presented him with the possibility to explore a vast frontier called Canada. That’s when English became his fourth language.

Carlo married Deborah Ann Cottreau (“Boubie”) twice, first in Switzerland, then again in Canada two years later. Until his death, they had been married just shy of forty-six years. Having no siblings, Carlo leaves behind his much-loved newly acquired family: his brother-in-law, Brian (Karen) Cottreau, their children, Michelle Cottreau (Jon Kettinger), Jaqueline Krause, Sean Cottreau and their grandchildren, Lila Kettinger, Vivienne Krause, Adam Krause, Noah Cottreau and Benjamin Cottreau. Because Deborah’s immediate family resides close-by in Michigan, Carlo grew very close to his extended family.

In Switzerland, Carlo leaves behind a cousin whom he grew up with in his grandparents’ home. François della Casa (Hedy) was like his big brother. Anne-Marie Hug, François’ sister, is his other last remaining relative.

Carlo’s knowledge and love for all things “nature” stems from his grandfather, William Fiaux, a knowledgeable Swiss forestry guard who patrolled the woods during WWII. William taught Carlo all he knew about things wild. Carlo loved walking through forests, spotting / photographing animals from bears to foxes to elk, feeding birds from his hand or watching them feed at the feeders around the garden, foraging for mushrooms, fishing in streams or lakes or through ice and keeping his garden. These were his life passions. He also loved working side-by-side with the people on the Whitecap Dakota First-Nation Reserve in Saskatchewan, learning everything he could about the people and their culture. Perhaps his greatest achievement lies in his helping to build La Liberté, a solid wood replica of a sixteenth-century galley ship with two sails and thirty-six oars which is currently moored in the bay of Morges and cruises the waters of Lac Léman (Lake of Geneva) to this day.

The family would like to thank Dr Gillett, Dr. Freeman, Dr. Nasser, Dr Hirmiz, Dr. Kinnette and all the nurse-practitioners working with the doctors connected to the Cancer Program at the Windsor Regional Hospital, Metropolitan Campus. A special thanks to his community nurse, Cecilia Amoranto, whose help and support were above and beyond the call of duty. A heartfelt thanks to Rob Lavery, Larry Hassen, Eric Farries, Querino Gesuale and Derek Gifford: Carlo couldn’t have had better friends in Canada. As for his Swiss buddies, we’ll see you soon.

As per Carlo's wishes, cremation has already taken place.

A Celebration of Life will be held privately at a future date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Windsor Chapel Funeral Home - Banwell Chapel (11677 Tecumseh Rd. E, 519-253-7235). Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family.