"Sincerest Sympathies to the Family. "
In loving memory of
Brian "Tater" Tetreault
December 12, 1955 - January 15, 2025
A Celebration of Life has been scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025, beginning at 11:00 am, at the Ed L. Lee Mortuary, 620 East Viola Avenue, Washington, Indiana.
Brian "Tater" Tetreault, 69, passed away during the morning hours of January 15, 2025. He was born in Connecticut, December 12, 1955, the son of Edward G. and Ruth (Cadoret) Tetreault. On June 14, 1980, he married the love of his life, Wanita (Proctor) Tetreault and together they created a loving home for themselves and their daughter, Erica.
Tater was a 1973 graduate of Washington High School. He later went on to earn a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the Northwood Institute in West Baden. He opened Tater's Record and Video World on February 14, 1976. It was a successful business Tater would own and operate for the next thirty-four years.
Tater was a man of many interests. He was a faithful Los Angeles Dodgers fan. He and his family attended a game at Dodgers Stadium. Anytime they went on vacation, they would visit many other baseball stadiums, where Tater would always get a bag of peanuts and a bratwurst with sauerkraut. Tater was very proud of his grandson, Carson. They spent a lot of time together discussing sports in general, as well as the sports Carson played in.
Tater's love of music was endless. To him, songs were never played loud enough. It was never quiet from the time he stepped through the door of Tater's Record and Video World until closing time. Tater's customers meant a lot to him. He took the time to get to know them by name and remembered their likes and dislikes. When customers came in not knowing what to buy, Tater would talk with them, make suggestions, and work hard to ensure they would be happy with their selection. Customers fondly recall that store receipts always had "Have a Tater Day" printed on them.
Tater had a love of history. In fact, he often said if he hadn't opened the store, he would have wanted to be a history teacher. He had a huge wealth of historical knowledge.
Those who now mourn Tater's passing include his wife of forty-four years, Wanita Tetreault; his daughter, Erica Tetreault; and grandson, Carson Clark.
During his lifetime, Tater grieved the loss of his parents, Edward and Ruth Tetreault.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, 11:00 am, at the Ed L. Lee Mortuary.
Condolences may be left online at www.edleemortuary.com. The staff of the Ed L. Lee Mortuary is honored to have been entrusted with Brian Tetreault's arrangements.
Tributes
"I don't even know where to begin with explaining Tater's significance to my life. My first introduction to him was walking around collecting money for a WHS Key Club philanthropic project in the "little store". I was a kid with his first car those times I came in and bought 8-tracks and, about a year later, cassettes after I switched out the stereo in my car. After purchasing my own stereo, I started also buying vinyl. Later, Tater offered me a job at his store while I was going to school at VU. I had the privilege of getting to know him as more than a boss, but as a friend and mentor. I also had the opportunity to get to know "Red" quite well, as they were still living in the apartment on the other side of the wall. Tater was a great businessman who understood the significance of carry artists' catalogues in all sorts of genres. Most importantly, he helped me learn to listen to customers and get to know them. He was always ready to help Washington's find their entertainment. Many recall the arcade and then renting movies as the store became Tater's Record and Video World. I was lucky to work with some guys who were old friends and others who became my friend. The proudest day of his life was when Erica was born. It was awesome to post her "welcome to the world" sign in the store. Tater and Red...thank you for your influence and friendship. Wanita and Erica...please let me know if there's anything I can do to help down the road. "
"To Wanita and family, Our sincere condolences for your loss. Brian was my favorite music man, yes, my go to guy. ?Hey Tater, do you have this recording?? ?Oh, you can order it great! ? We sure can?t forget his side kick Alpo either. With God?s blessing to all, Tony and Paula Potts"
" Thinking of Tater has always brought me a smile. He liked bringing people together, and when he did, we had a good time. Always. I was with him a lot in the 70's, beginning when he arrived at WHS from Connecticut pronouncing "quarterback" as if it had no r's in it. He hosted all-night "blowouts" full of laughter and loud cursing and Risk games and music in his shack out back that his parents generously provided and tolerated. The highlight came, inevitably, when Tater turned on the strobe light and blasted Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein" at ear-splitting volume. We rode with him in his blue (handpainted?) Tatermobile around town and on country roads. We ate burgers, tenderloins and fries at the only places still open after 11 in Washington: Troys, The Arlington, and Woodruff's, aka The Pink Palace. We rooted for the Hatchets, and he played baseball for them. I'm not an L.A. Dodger fan, but if their winning the World Series made him happy, then I'm glad they won this past fall. Tater had a great sense of humor. He made us laugh, he laughed along with us, and he could laugh at himself. The store he created and ran for 34 years was a tremendous asset for the town of Washington. I'm so glad I got to know Tater."
"You left an enormous impact on our community and everyone who graced the doors of Taters Record and Video World would agree that they are better having known you. Rest well my friend "
"So many great memories going into Taters record store buying the latest music My heart and prayers goes out to Wanita and family, "
"I remember fondly walking into Tater's first shop on South St. every weekend after getting my meager paycheck. Tater introduced me to many artists I grew to love and I might otherwise have never known. I still have a lot of those albums nearly 50 years later. Later, after I graduated high school, Tater asked me to join his softball team. As passionate as he was about music, he was even more serious about his softball! My mom was working at the Times-Herald when he started seeing Wanita "Red" and saw what a great match they were. Thank you, Tater, for expanding my love of music and for being a good person to me. "
"While his customers meant a lot to him, HE meant a lot to us! A Washington Legend! Our childhoods and teenage years have many memories of Tater and his store. Condolences to his family. "
"Tater could never convince me strohs was a good beer. His connection to me in music was playing the patty smith because the night at his party pad behind his house. Also. Don?t throw tater a low pitch!!!he?s gonna send it to The tennis courts!!"
"I LOVE YOU TATER I'M GOING TO MISS YOU BUDDY ???? YOU'RE DEFINITELY A GREAT FRIEND I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS REALLY HERE ALREADY TIME FLIES BROTHER FLY HIGH MAN ??"
"Prayers for your family. There will never be another like him. He helped so many of us through the years to enjoy our favorite groups and music. Rest well Tater."