Obituary of Joseph W. Cota

Highgate / Milton – Joseph W. Cota, 77, died peacefully on Sunday February 25, 2018 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, with his loving family by his side.

Joe was born on July 10, 1940 in Burlington, the son of John and Jennie (DeForge) Cota.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Army National Guard.

Joe married Elaine LaBelle on July 27, 1963 at St. Ann’s in Milton. Eventually settling in Milton, where they raised their family and lived for over 48 years.

He worked for Green Mountain Power for a short time, then Burlington Electric, where he worked for over 30 years, mainly as a Watch Engineer.

Joe was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing, hunting, horseshoes, golfing and bowling.  He also loved camping in the summers at Lakehurst Campground in Isle LaMotte.   In later years he was instrumental in starting the Senior Food Drop Program at the Arrowhead Seniors and was one of the founders of the Monday night band, which played at the Milton Senior Center. He was also a past member of the Board of Directors and Past President of the Arrowhead Seniors.

In addition to his wife Elaine, Joe is survived by his sons Rick of Colchester and Jeff of Bakersfield, by his daughter Pam White and her husband Bob of Highgate, and his grandchildren Katie, Jeffrey Jr., Gail, Joe, Robbie, Hannah and Hailey and his great granddaughter Natalie.  He is also survived by his sisters Alice Morris, Beatrice Monroe, Shirley Pasada, and Carmen Lowell and by his brother Wesley Cota.  He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Bob DeForge and John Cota Jr.

Memorial contributions in Joe’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday March 1, 2018 from 4-7 pm in the Minor Funeral and Cremation Center in Milton, with prayers offered by Fr. Feltz at 7pm.   

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday March 2, 2018 at 11 am in St. Ann Catholic Church with burial following in St. Ann’s Cemetery.