Obituary for Donald Antonio Cote
Donald Antonio Cote, 87, passed away, peacefully, on January 12, 2022 at his home in Wilmington, Delaware.
Donald was born to Elphege and Elevira Cote on August 1, 1934 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He married Ethel (Mulcahy) Cote on September 4, 1954 and together they raised seven children and enjoyed a happy and loving marriage and hectic life.
After attending Woonsocket High School, Donald joined the United States Navy and proudly served in the Korean War. He retired from the Navy in 1974 as a Radioman, Chief Petty Officer. He settled his family in Wilmington where he pursued his post graduate studies in criminal justice. Donald embarked on a second career with the Delaware Department of Corrections as first a counselor and then a probation and parole officer, where he formed many friendships with his coworkers that lasted after his retirement.
Donald was a shortwave radio hobbyist and was an expert in Morse Code. His other hobbies included collecting antique toys and radios and both ship and Popeye memorabilia. He was often found feeding the wildlife in his favorite place, his backyard, while enjoying the company of his family and his pets.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel, his brothers Gilford and Ronald, and his son-in-law Donald Belisle.
He is survived by his sons, Donald Jr. (Teri), Ronald (Charlene), and Paul (Elizabeth), and his daughters, Carol (William) Loerop, Janice (Donald) Belisle, Donna (John) Bradford, and Lorraine (Kelly) Hynson. He is also survived by his brother Robert and sister-in-law Christine, along with eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 on Friday, January 21st at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, 901 New Rd, Elsmere with a mass at 11:30. Interment will immediately follow the mass at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, Donald would have preferred donations to the Faithful Friends Animal Society of Delaware.
Donald was born to Elphege and Elevira Cote on August 1, 1934 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He married Ethel (Mulcahy) Cote on September 4, 1954 and together they raised seven children and enjoyed a happy and loving marriage and hectic life.
After attending Woonsocket High School, Donald joined the United States Navy and proudly served in the Korean War. He retired from the Navy in 1974 as a Radioman, Chief Petty Officer. He settled his family in Wilmington where he pursued his post graduate studies in criminal justice. Donald embarked on a second career with the Delaware Department of Corrections as first a counselor and then a probation and parole officer, where he formed many friendships with his coworkers that lasted after his retirement.
Donald was a shortwave radio hobbyist and was an expert in Morse Code. His other hobbies included collecting antique toys and radios and both ship and Popeye memorabilia. He was often found feeding the wildlife in his favorite place, his backyard, while enjoying the company of his family and his pets.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel, his brothers Gilford and Ronald, and his son-in-law Donald Belisle.
He is survived by his sons, Donald Jr. (Teri), Ronald (Charlene), and Paul (Elizabeth), and his daughters, Carol (William) Loerop, Janice (Donald) Belisle, Donna (John) Bradford, and Lorraine (Kelly) Hynson. He is also survived by his brother Robert and sister-in-law Christine, along with eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 on Friday, January 21st at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, 901 New Rd, Elsmere with a mass at 11:30. Interment will immediately follow the mass at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, Donald would have preferred donations to the Faithful Friends Animal Society of Delaware.