Leo N. Cote, 93, of Woonsocket, died Saturday at The Friendly Home. He was the loving husband of the late Jeannine B. (Durand) Cote.
Born in Woonsocket, he was a son of the late Hidas and Albertine (Durand) Cote. He was a lifelong resident of the city.
Mr. Cote was a WWII Army veteran. He served in the Pacific Theatre and was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star, American Defense Service Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific-Theatre Campaign Medal.
Mr. Cote was the co-founder of Cote Bros. Enterprises, a business he operated for over 45 years. Leo was a fixture at his Park Square fruit and vegetable stand, greeting customers, friends, and neighbors with a smile and his warm welcoming manner
Proud of his service to his country Mr. Cote was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, and the DAV. He was a loyal and optimistic Red Sox fan.
Leo will be remembered as a devoted father and grandfather and a first-class gentleman.
He is survived by a son Robert L. Cote of Peacedale, a daughter Diane J. Auger, and her husband Roger, of Auburn, MA. He was the brother of the late Armand and Raymond Cote, Lucienne Parenteau, Florence McCabe, Alice Forget, Loretta Ayotte, and Gertrude Laflamme. He was the grandfather of Michal Cote, Laurie Hayes, Gary Cote, Lisa Buron, Amy Miller, Holly Carpenter, Melissa Perry, and her husband James, and great-grandfather of Erin and Elizabeth Buron, Audrey and Natalie Hayes, Perryn and Davin Cote, Colton and Liam Carpenter, and also Kyle and Jason Perry. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday at 10:00 am in Precious Blood Church, Carrington Ave, Woonsocket. Burial with military honors will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland. Visiting hours are Wednesday morning from 8:30-9:30 am, prior to Mass, in the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave., Woonsocket. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Friendly Home, 303 Rhodes Ave., Woonsocket, RI. 02895.
www.menardfuneralhome.com