Robert L.A. Cote

1933 - 2020

Robert L.A. "Bob" Cote, passed away of a long term illness on Dec. 14, 2020 at the age of 87, surrounded by his family and close friends, whom he cherished so deeply.

Bob established the Thomas McGee Substance Abuse unit at Hillcrest Hospital in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and then served as Clinical Director for Addiction Services for 18 years. He continued his work in addiction services as a senior clinician at the Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, also in Pittsfield, for another 16 years. Bob also created the Addiction Counselor Education (ACE) Program at Westfield State College and continued as Director for more than 25 years. An extension of this program was brought locally to Berkshire Community College. His work in Addiction Service's continued until his retirement in June 2020. He was a "Friend of Bill," and participant in Alcoholics Anonymous for 46 years. To say he cared about others wouldn't begin to cover it. He invested in them. He saved a seat for them in the large and generous room that was his heart, and made sure they were sitting in that seat on a regular basis. He did the same thing for what became his second family, his beloved brothers in the Berkshire Men's Council and the Men's Leadership Alliance of Boulder, Colorado, both of which he served for 25 years.

Bob was born on April 3, 1933, in Nashua, New Hampshire, to Robert C. Cote and Celedase (DesRochers). His father was from Quebec, Canada, and his mother was born in New Hampshire. Bob attended Nashua High School, graduating in 1951. He attended Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire and graduated in 1955. After graduating, he joined the U.S. Army, where he served three years and received honorary discharge in June of 1958. In 1972, he completed a Masters of Arts degree in from Ohio State University. He was the winner of National Defense Education Act grants from the Universities of Notre Dame and Oregon in 1960 and 1961, Fullbright Assistantship and Travel grants in 1962, and an Education Professions Development Act grant from Ohio State University in 1969. Bob was selected to serve as a member of the White House Conference/Dialogue with National Leaders in 1986, and served as a panelist on the Soviet/American Conference on Alcoholism in 1991.

He is survived by his wife of twenty-two years Francesca (Cessa), his three children, Stephen P. Cote (Lily) of Colorado, Andrew S. Cote (Leah) of Massachusetts, Danielle J. Cote (Randy Barnett) of Colorado, his grandchildren, Anthony Lupo (Maria), Nicholas Cote (MaryAlice), Stephanie Cote (Matt), Ben Barnett (Barb), Dan Barnett, Matthew Arseneau (Stacy), one great grandson, Ulices Lupo and his first wife Priscilla Cote (Terry Walsh). He also leaves two sisters Lee Dublow of Kentucky, Jeanne Kennedy of New Hampshire and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother Celedase (Sadie) DesRohers, father Robert C. Cote, brothers Morris (Bill) Cote, Richard Cote, Paul Cote and sisters Rita Cote, Dora Cote, Lucille Shurkus, Monique Grondine.

A private service for family was held on December 16, 2020 at Roche Funeral home.