Mr. John Cote's Obituary
John Cote, of, St. Petersburg, died peacefully in his home on Thursday, March 21st. He had just reached his special personal goal of living to be 100 years old a month ago. Family and friends from all over came to help him celebrate this occasion with a special gathering in his honor.
John was born in Drummond, New Brunswick, Canada on February 19, 1913 to Eugene and Alphonsine Cote. He was one of 10 children; only 5 survived through early childhood. He was raised and went to school in Van Buren, Maine, where he only made it through the fourth grade. After fourth grade, he left school to help his mother with cooking for many people, and thus, a chef was born.
He enlisted in the Army in April, 1940, before Pearl Harbor and the United States joined World War II. There, he pursued his future career as a cook. John was stationed in North Africa and the Persian Gulf with the 69th regiment during the War. He traveled and cooked for General George Patton and his troops as they chased Rommel through Africa. He once prepared a meal for General Patton that so impressed the officer, that the General gave him a non-commissioned battlefield promotion, a field order upgrade from Corporal to Sergeant.
When John returned from the war, he married Yvette Couture of Lewiston, Maine in September of 1945. They had one child, Donald, who died in infancy in May, 1946. John traveled and worked in many places, including Rumford and Lewiston, Maine, Cambridge, Mass., Hartford, CT, Boston, Mass., and Los Angeles, CA. He and his wife decided to retire in St. Petersburg. They first lived in the French Quarter on 4th Street in 1973. They purchased their trailer in Venetian Motor Court in 1978.
Yvette passed away in April of 2009 after a long illness, and John continued to live alone with his beloved cats until his recent death. He was able to do so because of the generosity and help of his kind neighbors and friends. He never had a driver's license, but did all of his own shopping by taking the bus, riding his tricycle, and finally, in his later years, riding his motorized scooter. He became a familiar sight to those people who saw him traversing 4th Street and going to and fro his favorite shopping places. Shopping was a great love of his because he enjoyed looking for the bargains.
John was also pre-deceased by his brothers, Felix and Emily Cote, and his sister, Jeanne Bourgoin. He is survived by his brother, Roland Cote, who lives in Mexico, Maine, and many loving nieces and nephews. He will be sadly missed, especially by his brother, Roland, niece Linda and husband Dick, of Waldoboro, ME, niece Debbie Lamkin and husband, Dow of Gray, ME, nephew Real Matthieu of St. Petersburg, niece Elaine Palmer and husband, Noel of Rumford, Maine, godchild and niece Teresa Whitney of Rochester, N.Y., and many other Cotes, Bourgoins, and Coutures. His friends and neighbors of Venetian Motor Court will miss him also. They honored him by flying their flag at half-mast until his funeral.
John touched many lives with his gentleness, good humor, and love of life. He lived a very simple life, but left his mark on many hearts with his living example of independence, appreciation for the little things, and generosity of spirit.
Services will take place at Memorial Park on 49th Street in St. Petersburg on Tuesday, March 26. Family visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., with friends invited at 10:30. The service will take place at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's name to Holy Family Church on 301 78th Ave NE in St. Petersburg, where the decedent was a long-time communicant.
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