Roger G. Cote

Roger G. Cote, 90, of Shapleigh, passed away peacefully at his residence after a brief illness on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 with his family at his side.Roger was born in Sanford on January 2, 1920 to Francois and Marie (St. Cyr) Cote and attended local schools. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and participated in the invasion of Sicily. In 1950 he married his childhood sweetheart, Fernande Morin, and they spent the next 57 years together until her death in 2007. Roger and his wife relocated to Newton, MA after they were married and he was employed by the Raytheon Corporation from 1960 to 1981. He retired to Maine in the 1980s to be closer to family.Roger's pride and joy was his great-great- niece, Ashley Gerry. He and his wife helped care for her when she was young and she became the focal point of their lives from then on. Growing vegetables and selling them at his vegetable stand was one of Roger's favorite hobbies. He and several friends used to have friendly competitions to see who could grow the largest cucumbers and tomatoes. Roger was a social person and enjoyed spending time with people. He was part of an informal group of people that would meet for coffee every day at McDonalds. He was a communicant of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church in Springvale and was a member of the American Legion. He also enjoyed hunting and spending time on Mousam Lake. Roger will be remembered as a generous and loving man and will be dearly missed by his friends and family.Surviving are his great-great niece, Ashley Gerry of Springvale; a brother, Joseph A. Cote of Springvale and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 AM on Monday, November 29th at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Notre Dame Church located at 10 Payne Street in Springvale. Interment will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the American Heart Association, 51 US Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.Arrangements are under the direction of Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home in Sanford.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.