James John Cotter, 84, of Mystic passed away Tuesday April 14, 2015 at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London surrounded by his loving family and friends. His wife of 51 years, Maureen Ann (Burns) Cotter predeceased him in 2008. Jim was born on May 9, 1930 in Brockton, MA, the son of James J. and Hazel (Oxley) Cotter. Raised in Randolph, MA, he was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Boston class of 1948, and attended Bentley College School of Accounting and Finance. Jim is a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in post war occupied Germany where he earned the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) and the National Defense Service Medal. Jim attended Engineering and Surveying School while in the service.
A resident of Brockton for more than fifty years, he made a home for his family in the house he built with his wife Maureen in the Campello section of the city. He worked many years as an accountant for a number of businesses in Brockton including the Brockton Housing Authority. An avid golfer, Jim thoroughly enjoyed his work at the world famous golf shoe manufacturer Foot Joy where he often met well known professional golfers and hockey players. In the 1960s Jim studied computer processing and coding at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With this knowledge he oversaw the development of a state of the art business computer system for his employer, FashionAffiliates, proudly showing off to visitors the massive refrigerator sized computer processors in the only air conditioned room in the garment factory. Jim was an early adopter of personal technology, owning one of the very first Radio Shack TRS-80 personal computers with a cassette tape data storage system in the late 1970s.
Jim gave back to the community through his membership in the Brockton Rotary and encouraging future business leaders by mentoring young adults involved in Junior Achievement (JA). As a volunteer member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary he taught boating safety and performed safety inspections for recreational boaters.
Civil War history, genealogy and travel were favorite pastimes in retirement. Together with Maureen, Jim traveled the country by train, stopping in out of the way stations in rural America. He enjoyed trips to the Civil War battlefields of Gettysburg, VA. He used to say the Civil War made this country what it is today. Following this passion for history, Jim traced the Cotter Family Tree back to its 1770 roots that reach out from Bay de Verde Newfoundland, Leeds England, Ireland, New Zealand, and both Southington and New London, Connecticut.
Upon moving to Connecticut to live with his daughter Mary and son in law Brian, Jim would often spend time at Bluff Point State Park watching planes take off from the airport and boaters on the Thames River. He loved living in this coastal community. Spending time with his family was the cornerstone of his life and his quiet counsel will be deeply missed. Good night Daddy. Love you always.
He is survived by his daughter, Mary Cotter and her husband Brian Patenaude of Mystic, his grandson Steven Monroe and his wife Sarah of Gales Ferry and his granddaughter Catherine Monroe of Groton, and 3 great granddaughters, Natalie, Eloise, and Charlotte Monroe, of Gales Ferry. He is also survived by his siblings, Florence Beneduci of Hingham, MA, Mary Green of Sagamore Beach, MA, Ann Meissner of Fort Meyers, FL, Loreto DaSilva of Leesburg, FL, Thomas Cotter of Sagamore Beach, MA and Gregory Cotter of Onset, MA and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, he is predeceased by his son, James John Cotter Jr. (Jay) who died in 2002.
Burial will be held in Bourne National Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.
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