He was born in Jewett City, Connecticut, on July 5, 1935, a son of the late Alphonse and Jeannette (Prince) Cote. Between the National Guard, the Marines Corps and Marine Corps Reserves, he had eight years of military service. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, in the midto late ’50s.
He worked at Sanford Dairy for 10 years. He retired at age 58 from Cyro Industries, with 20 years of service with the company. He enjoyed many years bowling with his brothers on the bowling league in Sanford. He also enjoyed doing puzzles, walking as much as eight to nine miles a day, and trips to Canada with his brother Bob.
A kind and generous man, he was also a proud member of the local chapter of the Marine Corps League, marching in the July Fourth and Memorial Day parades. He also served as the Marine Corps League chaplain.
He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brothers George, Donald and, most recently, Robert and Andre.
He is survived by: his children, Michael Cote, Patrick Cote and his wife Garnet, and Rhonda Hilton and her husband Eric; four grandchildren, Heather and Cameron Cote and Caitlin and Ariel Hilton; five brothers, Roland, Roger, Ernest, Raymond and Maurice; four sisters, Pauline, Rochelle, Helena and Gloria; and his ex-wife and dear friend, Frances Cote.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church in Sanford. Burial with military honors will follow at Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale.
Arrangements are by Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter St., Sanford. Condolences may be expressed at blackfuneralhomes.com.
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