BUXTON - Richard L Cote Jr, 42, passed unexpectedly and peacefully into God’s love on February 6, 2021, while residing with Motivational Services in a group home in Augusta, for the last 14 months. He had a long and arduous struggle with his mental illness and subsequently drug addiction, but he was fortunate to always have the fierce and never-ceasing love of his mom and dad who never gave up on him.
He was born March 24, 1978, to Joyce (MacDonald) and Richard Cote Sr. of Buxton, Maine. He graduated from Bonny Eagle High School and completed several college courses, training at one point to be a welder and another to be a nutritionist/fitness instructor. He is survived by his beloved mom and dad, his son, Dylan Cote Landry of Buxton, his sister Renee and her husband Russ Pitre of Hatfield, MA, his three brothers, Joseph of Brownfield, John of Buxton, and Jarid York of Gorham; along with several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Prior to the progression of his illness, Ricky worked as a diver tender, a carpenter, a roofer, a fisherman, and a cook. Rick could easily do anything he put his mind to. He spent a good part of his young adult life living in Portland Maine and truly loved to be on its streets with the only friends who he felt could understand him.
Growing up he was always prone to push the boundaries or perhaps he was simply overly curious beyond what the rest of us were comfortable with. He became a very soft, vulnerable, compassionate, and thoughtful man whose mind became increasingly clouded by his mental illness and subsequently addicted to the drugs that brought his mind relief. He lived inside a reality that the rest of us will never fully understand and that few had the capacity to fiercely love him still, even if that was from a distance.
May peace be with you, Rick, as you’re now freed from the torture of your own mind and the challenge of navigating a world that felt unsafe to you. Nana, Jean MacDonald missed you and she’s excited to have you home with her - paddling in the pond of eternal life without strife.
Family and Friends are invited to visit and celebrate Rick’s life on Saturday, Feb 20th, from 10-12PM at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel, 498 Long Plains Road (Rt. 22) in Buxton. Please be mindful of strict COVID restrictions including mask wear inside and outside the funeral home. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his memory for his son Dylan's future education.