FORT FAIRFIELD – Girard J. Cote, 65, husband of Mrs. Judy Cote, died Wednesday morning, Oct. 20, 2004 at a Presque Isle healthcare facility after a brief illness. He was born Sept. 24, 1939, at Fort Fairfield, the son of Edward J. and Lee Ann (Girard) Cote. He attended local schools and was married to Judith Offenburger on Dec. 22, 1962. Girard was a communicant of the St. Denis Catholic Church, Fort Fairfield; was self-employed as a potato farmer for many years and had also worked for McCain Foods in Easton in their maintenance department. For the past seven years he had returned to what he enjoyed doing most, farming and was employed with Durepo Farms, Fort Fairfield. Girard was very artistic and enjoyed making many crafts which he shared with his community. He was very proud of his family and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Girard was predeceased by one brother, Norman Cote; one sister, Mary Burns; a nephew, Nathan Cote Burns. He is survived by his wife of 41 years of Fort Fairfield; two sons, Derrick Cote and his wife, Cynthia, of Chapman, Matt Cote and his wife, Johanna Szillery, of Old Town; two daughters, Sherrie Offenburger of South River, N.J., Shannon Zolnierczyk and her husband, Michael, of Pittsburgh, Pa; two brothers, Donald Cote and his wife, Shirley, of New Sweden, Herman Cote and his wife, Virginia, of Fort Fairfield; four sisters, Raymonde Chambers, Lorraine Flannery and her husband Gerald, all of Fort Fairfield, Verla Brooks of Lisbon Falls, Gloria Johnson and her husband, Robert, of Fort Kent; one brother-in-law, Robert Burns of Fort Fairfield; four grandchildren, Patrick, Mary, Mitchell and Michael; several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, until the time of departure for the St. Denis Catholic Church, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with the Rev. David Raymond celebrant. A time of fellowship will be held at the VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield, immediately following the Funeral Mass. Interment services will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at the St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Cote may be given to the Edward and Lee Ann Cote Memorial Scholarship Fund, attention: Guidance Office, 28 High School Drive, Fort Fairfield 04742. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.
GIRARD J. COTE
