ORONO – Donald “Dolly” Francis Cota enjoyed a rich and full life with his wife, Alberta “Bertie” Sullivan Cota, and was blessed with many children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends. On Sept. 9, 2011, at the age of 92, Dolly was tired and joined his wife, Bertie, who predeceased him in 2005. He was born July 25, 1919, in Orono, the youngest child of Charles and Mary Bridget (McGrath) Cota.
In 1942 Dolly enlisted in the Army and served in World War II in the European Theatre. He landed in Africa and traveled through Italy and into France. Post-World War II, Dolly served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and was very proud of the public works erected by his team. Dolly and Bertie were married Feb. 15, 1947. They were very busy in their younger years raising seven children. Working more than one job at a time to support the family, Dolly was a familiar sight on the campus at the University of Maine from the 1940s into the 1980s delivering mail and working as a campus policeman. Dolly endeared himself to the Orono “kids” by letting them into athletic events. Later when some of his children attended the University of Maine, the son or daughter would experience their father’s widespread popularity when upperclassmen recognized them as “Dolly’s son/daughter.” Dolly belonged to Saint Mary’s Parish, Orono, until the church closed in 2009. He often “rested his eyes” during the homily because he had worked until 3 a.m. on the previous night shift. Sports fed one of his greatest passions and right up until a few weeks before he made his quiet exit from life, Dolly discussed scores and statistics on many baseball and football teams. One cannot mention his love of sports without citing Notre Dame as his favorite football team and also noting how proud he was of his children and grandchildren who participated in sports at local, national and international levels.
Dolly was predeceased by his parents; and his siblings, Raymond Cota, Woodrow Cota, Wilfred Cota, Beulah Cota Doody, Elmira Cota O’Leary, Wilhelmina Cota Campbell, Charlene Cota and most recently his beloved sister, Frances Cota Spencer Richardson. Note: The family speculated that Dolly and his sister Frances “Dada” were in a competition to outlive each other. He was also very sad to be predeceased by a very special son-in-law, Michael Dow, in 2010. Dolly lived in the homestead, now owned by his daughter, Nadine Cota Jones, until 2009. Nadine and her husband, David Jones, who was also Dolly’s dear friend, converted the homestead to an up/downstairs duplex. They cared for both Bertie and Dolly logistically with great love and care. In 2009 Dolly moved to the veterans home in Bangor. The family is very grateful to the veterans home staff for their kindness and Dolly loved the environment, activities, and all the attention and warmth he received from the staff. In addition to Nadine and her husband, David Jones, of Orono, he is survived by his daughters, Diane Cota O’Connell of Falls Church, Va., Mary Ellen Cota Dow of Portland and Irene Cota Williamson and her husband, James Williamson, of Chesterfield, Va. His surviving sons are Donald Thomas Cota and his partner, Rae Moore, of Greenville, Michael Charles Cota and his wife, Patricia Cota, of Harpswell and Charles Anthony Cota and his partner, Cindy Lavoie, of Milford. Additionally, he is survived by a multitude of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Dolly’s positive manner and sense of humor will be remembered by all who knew him.
At their father’s request, his daughters and sons will hold a private Christian memorial and burial service. Contributions to a memorial flower garden may be made to the Maine Veterans Home, 44 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401, attention: Unit D Memorial Garden. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. Condolences to his family may be offered at
www.kileyandfoley.com.