Obituary for Alfred R. Cote
Alfred R. Coté, born in Willimantic on August 2, 1918, the son of Alfred J. and Arcelia Coté, went home to God on April 8, 2017, at the age of 98.
Alfred was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Eveline Michaud Coté and his daughter Michelle Jane Coté. He will be greatly missed by his son Michael Coté and daughter-in-law Barbara Tenney of Milton, Delaware; his daughter Marianne Coté of Willimantic; and his son William Coté and daughter-in-law Paula Hodges of Key West, Florida; and his granddaughter Lisa Michelle Coté. Those whose lives he touched included his several godchildren, many nieces and nephews, all those who called him Uncle Al and Pépère, and his many friends, both young and “not so young.”
Alfred was a life-long communicant of St. Mary Church in Willimantic, where he was baptized in 1918, received his first Holy Communion and Confirmation, was an altar server, and was married in 1948 to the love of his life, Eveline. While a faith-filled parishioner, he sang in the Church choir, and served as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, the League of the Sacred Heart, the Parish Life Committee, and the St. Mary-St. Joseph School Board.
Alfred was a graduate of St. Mary School, Windham High School, and Saint Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield. He attend Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emitsburg, MD and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore.
Alfred retired from the State of Connecticut Food Processing Division in Middletown after 20 years of service, where he was a meat cutter and supervisor for the distribution of meats to all state institutions, including the University of Connecticut. Prior to this, his trade served the First National supermarket and Carter’s and Santa Lucia’s grocery stores in Willimantic. He also spent a short time delivering milk to area markets and schools for the local dairy.
As the father of two boys, Al was involved in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as the Assistant Scout Master for Troop 131. His proud accomplishments in Scouting include the Bronze Pelican and the St. George Medal.
As a young student Al was involved in sports, playing baseball and basketball. He also participated in gymnastics and was an avid roller skater. He started playing golf while in his fifties and continued to play with his “golf buddies” until the age of 93. Al was also a devoted Red Sox and UConn Huskies Basketball fan.
His life was filled with family and friends with whom he celebrated special events and family reunions, and traveled to his favorite places, including Key West, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Disney World, and the New England States, especially Maine each summer. A highlight of the last few years was his weekly lunch with an “adopted” son, Rick, having lunch together at over 200 different places in eastern Connecticut, where they shared many stories of life, both current and past. Recently, he spent time at school, and became the adopted grandparent for the students of St. Joseph School, New London, where he frequently enjoyed visits with the children and staff.
We celebrate his life and are grateful for the 98 years he graced this earth with his presence. We thank the Nurses and PCT’s on Shea East at Windham Hospital for their care and compassion as we said farewell to this very special Dad, Pépère, Uncle, and friend. His family will receive relatives and friends Tuesday, 4/11/17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bacon Funeral Home, 71 Prospect St. Willimantic, CT. His Funeral Mass will be concelebrated Wednesday, 4/12/17, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary Church, 46 Valley St. Willimantic. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Club Rd. Windham.
Donations may be made in Alfred Coté’s memory to the St. Mary Church Repair Fund or the St. Mary Church Garden Fund at 86 Maple Ave. Willimantic CT 06226, or the St. Joseph School Children, 25 Squire St., New London CT 06320. Please visit www.baconfh.com to register your condolences online.
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