Joseph Emile Cote

J. Emile Coté
May 20, 1930 –April 8, 2021
Agawam – J. Emile Coté, 90, of Agawam and formerly of Springfield and Boston. He was born May 20, 1930 in Jamaica Plain to the late Eugene and Marion (Boutin). Emile went to school in Boston, Readville, MA and was graduated from Dedham High School, Class of 1949. He worked for Happy Home Bakery in Dedham and Wonder Bread. He served his country in the United States Navy, stationed at Quonset Point, R.I. attached to Air Squadron 75 working on AD Sky Raiders and saw half the world for 4 years. He was a member of Bethany Assembly of God Church in Agawam for 10 years where he assisted as an usher and greeter and was a member of their Meridian Senior Club. He was currently a member of St. John the Evangelist Church and belonged to the Over 60 Club. Emile was a member and president of the Columbian Squires in Readville, MA in 1948. He was a member of the American Legion Post 185 and was the past president of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #148 in Springfield. He was a member of the Grass Roots Cribbage Club #72. He has been playing cribbage and an active member of the Agawam Senior Center for many years, serving as president of the Friends of the Agawam Senior Center for 9 years and a member of the Council of Aging. Emile was awarded with the Friendship Award in 2004, Andrew Gallano Award in 2010 and Jim Griffin Award 2012. Emile raised enough money to help furnish all the furniture and kitchen equipment, as well as raising over $70,000 in seven weeks to purchase a new bus for the Agawam Senior Center. Emile ran trips so the seniors can enjoy themselves. Emile was married to Rose Marie (Heider) and they had four children, Rosemarie Coté of North Reading, MA, Joseph E. Coté Jr. of Antioch, CA, Donna Lee Coté-Kelly of Stafford, CT and Michelle Coté of Springfield. He was married to Joan (Christensen) and they had one son, Robert E. Coté of Springfield. Emile has 5 grandchildren: John Joseph Coté, Brianna Jean Coté-Howshall, Kyle Patrick Kelly, Cameron Michel and Kaitlyn Marie Coté, 1 great-grandson, Liam Charles Coté, and his brother Ernest Coté of Foxboro, MA. Emile was predeceased by his loving wife, Catherine “Cathy” (Sears) who was the love of his life; and his brother, Eugene H. Coté in 2004. Calling hours for Emile will be held from 5-7PM on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam, MA. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 16th beginning at 9AM at the funeral home with a Liturgy of Christian Burial, to be celebrated at 10AM, in St. John the Evangelist Church, Agawam. Interment with military honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Memorial contributions may be made in Emile’s memory to Shriners Hospital for Children, ATTN: Donor Development, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. For online condolences please visit www.forastiere.com.