Joseph Gerard COTE

1928 - 2022

May 30, 1928 - October 3, 2022

In loving memory of Joseph Gerard "Gerry" Cote who passed away peacefully on October 3, 2022, at Short Hills Villa Retirement Home. The family extends their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the dedicated staff there for their kind care and support. Gerry was born in Drummond, NB, where he spent his early childhood years on the family potato farm. Gerry told stories of being paid with bushels of potatoes when he worked on neighbouring farms. He and his brothers were sorely disappointed when his parents sold the farm. When not farming, Gerry worked in the family logging camp, cutting pulpwood. This stood him in good stead when at the age of 18, he moved to Ontario seeking employment. He found work with Ontario Hydro, felling trees and clearing brush to widen rivers for hydroelectric power projects. It was very hard work, so he gladly accepted the offer to become the "bull cook" for the camp. "Once I had that job," he said, "I never went hungry again. And I ate a lot of pie." Eventually arriving in Niagara Falls, he drove haul trucks for the Sir Adam Beck #1 Hydroelectric Dam project. He met his future wife, Mary Williamson Adams, at a dance and although he returned to work in Northern Ontario, they remained pen pals. Upon his return to the Niagara area, they reunited and were married on September 6, 1952, at St. Mary's Church in Welland. They were so happy to recently celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary together. With their family started, Gerry left the Hydro to move to Welland where he worked for North Side Dairy as a milk man and route supervisor. These roles allowed Gerry's joie de vivre to shine, always having time to talk to the many friends he made while delivering milk. With the demise of home delivery, he was fortunate to join BF Goodrich as a plant operator where he finished his working career. Gerry was always a happy go lucky guy who enjoyed tinkering on cars and doing home improvements. He was always able to McGyver a solution to any problem. He played music from a young age and started accompanying his father, a fiddler, on guitar. In an age of making your own fun, they became highly sought after to play at barn dances and house parties. He enjoyed playing country music with his very good friends Tony Kautzman and Orland Bafaro, and his brother-in-law Orlie Veltri. He really enjoyed jamming on harmonica with his sons Gerry and Larry's bluegrass band. A special treat were the visits from his brother Renaud to play piano with him. Family gatherings would often find him playing east coast music with his kids and grandkids. Early retirement offered many opportunities to travel and snowbird away from Canadian winters, and eventually focus on spending his summers puttering around and relaxing at the family cottage on Lake Erie. He and Mary enjoyed hosting many family get-togethers there, especially as ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren were added to their extended family. Gerry will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of his company. The fifth child of a family of 14, he is survived by his brothers Renaud and Yvonne, and his loving wife 'my Mary'. He will be greatly missed by his cherished children Gerry, Larry (Cathy), Kevin (Lee Ann), and Jo-Anne (Dave). Adored by his grandchildren Kristopher (Pam), Lisa, Stephanie, Brian, Rosemary, Lesley Anne (Brad), Carolyn (Jake), Kyle, Dustin, and Spencer (Ainslee) and four great-grandchildren Madison, Benjamin, Levi, and Owen. A private family service is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Lung Association. Arrangements entrusted to the H. L. Cudney Funeral Home, Welland.

Family and friends may share condolences and their favourite memories of Gerry at www.cudneyfuneralhome.com