Thomas "Tom" Cote

Thomas "Tom" Cote

Stuart - Thomas "Tom" Cote, 88, of Stuart, FL passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021, at home with his family by his side.

Tom was born in New York City, NY to Nora and Rene Cote, the youngest of 5 brothers. He grew up on East 7th Street in Brooklyn and spent summers at the family cottage on Candlewood Lake in Connecticut.

One summer he became ill and was taken to New Milford (CT) Hospital. During his stay, he peeked in on a little girl in the room next door who had surely broken her leg and was in traction. Years later, after they were married dad and mom were amazed to realize that mom was the little girl in traction.

Thomas joined the U.S. Army and went to Korea. He was Honorably Discharged. When he got home he joined the church choir and met an "heiress", Phyllis Piskura, who inherited $150 from her grandmother.

Dad and mom were married on August 4, 1956, and they had 3 children, Kevin (Donna), granddaughters Aimee, Chloe, and Georgia, and great-granddaughter Olivia. Robert (Lynn) and grandsons Thomas (Will), Ronald, Christopher, and Richard (Ricky) and great-grandsons, Arlo and Zachary. Paula (Christopher, deceased) and grandchildren Jack, Charles and Emma.

In 1962 Dad and his brother purchased a farm in Andes, NY in the Catskills. Our family spent every weekend and summer on the farm, tending the heard of cattle and putting in hay. Dad sold the Andes farm in the early '80s. Farming was in his blood, and in 1997, purchased 110 acres in Lafayette NJ, and built another farm where he and mom spent their summers until 2018.

Dad's career started with selling insurance - covering the territory between Delaware and the Canadian boarder. Dad took a new job selling printing to be closer to home and his young family. He decided to strike out on his own and started Ballantine Litho, where his brother Charles joined him. The brothers grew the business and became quite successful. Ballantine is still in the Cote' family with nephews Tom and John and their sons running the business. After a short retirement from Ballantine Litho, One Box Return was born. For the second time dad built a highly successful business creating the pharmaceutical return good industry. One Box Return, employing over 125 people in Franklin NJ. Dad knew every person's name who worked for him and made it a point to walk through the plant and chat with everyone. Dad did not know a stranger and was filled with compassion and kindness.

Dad was also a pilot and had a Piper Cherokee Six. Our family, and our dog Rex, took many day trips on the plane out of Teterboro Airport.

Mom and Dad first bought property in Boca Raton, but soon decided that it was too congested and busy. They found Mariner Sands 36 years ago, built a beautiful home and have loved living there ever since. Dad played with the Bandits, was the club's Bingo master, and was deeply involved in the Mariner Sands Foundation. He was an active member of the St Andrews Catholic Church and would bring Eucharist to the elderly in area nursing homes where dad would sing to the ladies. He was cherished by his family for his great compassion, leadership, and generosity. He will be missed but we rest easier knowing that dad is in his heavenly home.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 2100 SE Cove Road, Stuart, FL 34997.

An private inurnment will be held at a later date with full U.S. Army Military honors and the Mariner Sands Garden.

Memorial donations in loving memory of Tom can be made to The Mariner Sands Foundation, 6500 SE Mariner Sands Drive, Stuart, FL 34997.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted under the care to Martin Funeral Home & Cremation, Stuart Chapel

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy can be made by visiting www. Martin-Funeral.com