Allen Cote

Allen Wilfred Cote ‘Cota’
Eddington, Maine and Plant City, Florida
Allen Wilfred Cote ‘Cota’ went home to be with the Lord on March 4, 2022 in Tampa, Florida at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital-Hospice with his daughters by his side. He was born in Orono, Maine, February 15, 1938, the son of Wilfred J. Cota and Lois V. (Lamson) Cota.
Allen graduated from Orono High School in 1956 and went into the Navy Reserves. Upon returning from active duty, he met Sheila L. Rand, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, they married and had four daughters. Allen had just received his uniform to be a Bangor Police Officer when the military called him back for another tour. In those years, he also held jobs at Footman’s Dairy and Glaster and Springer in Brewer, Maine. Once again, he found his way back in uniform as a Navy Seabee, including serving two back to back years in Vietnam. Upon his Navy completion, he joined the Maine Air National Guard to complete his 22 year retirement. He received honorable recognition awards; National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, FMF Combat Insignia, Rifle Markmanship Award and Outstanding Service to the Maine Air National Guard from 1974-1988. While completing his military career, he also retired a second career at James River Paper Mill in Old Town, Maine.
Once retiring, Allen and Sheila spent 22 years as snowbirds, wintering in Ormond Beach, Florida and primarily Plant City, Florida. He finally found enjoyment in golfing, playing cards and making friends within Countrywoods Community at the Lakes. He and Sheila loved hosting wonderful gatherings, traveling through Florida and Maine enjoying good food, great shows and going to yard sales.
Just after celebrating 60 years of marriage, his beloved wife, Sheila, went to be with our Lord on March 4, 2019. Allen was also predeceased by his forever kind brother, Robert J. Cota and brother-in-law, Frank Walker, two beloved grandchildren; Joshua McKay and Kristin Lounsberry, and brother-in-law, Chet Rand.
Surviving are his four daughters that he so loved; Sherry, Deborah and husband Ted Jellison, Corrine and Leisa, grandchildren; Bradford Moleon, Sarah and husband Andy Rios, Lindsey and fiancé Kris Grant, great grandchildren; Kadence, Cameron and Cohen. His sister, whom he adored Donna Cota Walker and sister-in-law, Peggy Cota, brother-in-law, Clint and Sue Rand of Hoodsport, Washington, several nieces and nephews. He and Sheila’s loving loyal canine, Little Bit. His Orono High School life long friends; Billy, Putt, Herbie and Bobby.
A special thank you to the staff at the VA Hospital in Tampa, FL and Maine Veteran’s Home in Bangor, Maine that took special care of our father during many extended stays with them.
Gifts in his memory can be send to Maine Alzheimer’s Association, 383 US Route One #2C, Scarborough, Maine 04074, alz.org
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2022 at the Jonathan Eddy Cemetery , Riverside Drive, Eddington, Maine. Reception will follow.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.