CHARLES COTE JR.

VAN BUREN – Charles Cote Jr., 79, beloved husband of Gloria “Bea” (Dumond) Cote, died Nov. 7, 2009, surrounded by members of his family, in Van Buren. He was born Oct. 26, 1930, in Millinocket, the son of Charles Cote Sr. and Victoria Martin. Charles was a patriotic individual who took pride in serving his country during the Korean War as a military police in Berlin. He continued his civil service as a lifelong member of American Legion Post No. 49, Van Buren, and as a trustee of Van Buren Water District for three decades. After his military service, he returned to Van Buren, married his lifelong sweetheart and eventually became manager of Van Buren Motors. In 1969, he left Van Buren Motors to pursue a career in teaching vocational welding and automotives at Van Buren High School, from where he retired in 1988. During his tenure at Van Buren High School, he attained his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial arts at the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham. He met this challenge by taking classes every summer, in addition to providing for a family of seven children and teaching full-time. He received the honor of being inducted into the Teachers Hall of Fame at SAD 24 in May 2000. His early passions included spending time at the family camp at Long Lake, riding his pontoon boat and reminiscing about his military experiences in Berlin. He was always a teacher at heart and pursued many interests in his retirement, including wood-working, oil painting, wood carving and working in his family fruit orchard. In his later years, he and his wife, Bea, were among the favorite customers at many local eateries. Charles is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Gloria “Bea” (Dumond) Cote of Van Buren; three sons, Michael Cote and wife, Peggy, of Columbus, Ohio, Patrick Cote and wife, Nicole, of Presque Isle, and David Cote of Caribou; three daughters, Charlene Marshall and husband, Peter, of Bluffton, S.C., Colleen Gagnon and husband, Gregory, of Glenburn, and Christina Daigle and husband, Greg, of Madawaska; and his loving brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Patricia Cote of Merritt Island, Fla. Charles was proud of his brood of 14 grandchildren, Lance Cpl. Benjamin Cote, U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Afghanistan, Monique Cote Claverie, Elise Cote LaPlante, Tara Cote, Victoria Cote, Shaun Cyr, Kristopher Cyr, Alison Marshall Poffenberger, Lindsey Marshall, Matthew Marshall, Jonathan Gagnon, Miles Gagnon, Wesley Smith and Kelsey Smith Parent. Also surviving Charles are three great-grandchildren, Abigail Dionne, Elizabeth Claverie and Weston Poffenberger. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Cheryl Anne (Cote) Cyr; his brothers, Stanley, Gerald and Leo James; and infant grandson, Alex Cote. Relatives and friends may call 6-8:30 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at Ouellette-Thibault Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church. A committal service with military honors will be afterward at the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Charles Cote Jr. Scholarship Fund, care of Karla Michaud, principal, Van Buren District Secondary School, 169 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785. Donations may also be left at the funeral home. To leave online condolences, please visit www.ouellettefuneralhome.com.