Bernard Cote

Surrounded by family love at home, our dear husband, father and grandfather passed peacefully into the Arms of God on October 16, 2024, following a period of declining health.

Bernard (Bernie) Cote, 87, was born in Nashua on August 20, 1937, the youngest child of Alfred and Annette (Chagnon) Cote. He graduated from Nashua High School in 1956 where he played baseball and basketball.

Following graduation, Bernie joined the United States Navy where he served aboard the USS Albemarle in Guantanamo Bay Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

Bernie spent the majority of his career (43 years) at International Paper Box Machine Company, where he rose in the ranks from building machinery to becoming a service representative to his role as National Sales Manager. He then worked for several years at Western Slope Industries and as an Independent Consultant.

He was a communicant of St. Louis de Gonzague church in Nashua and St. Martha’s in Kennebunk, Maine during the summer months.

Bernie loved spending time with his family. In particular, he enjoyed attending his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events where he was the most vocal supporter, always yelling at the refs for making bad calls. Many summers were spent at camp in Kennebunk, Maine where everyone was invited to spend time at The Beach. Dinner at Applebee’s, either in Nashua or Biddeford Maine, was a no-brainer.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife of 53 years, Barbara, his children Jennifer McFadden (partner David Bixler), Ronald Cote (Jennifer) and Karen Vassalluzzo (Daryl), 8 cherished grandchildren Thomas, Emlyn, Jordyn, Alison, Cameron, William, Ryan and Sophia, his sister Olivette (Jeanne) Bourbeau and goddaughters Suzanne and Emily, as well as several extended family members. He is predeceased by his parents, brothers Normand and Roger and sisters Armande Pinette and Patricia D’Antoni. 

Final arrangements are in the care of the Cremation Society of New Hampshire with a memorial mass to be held at St. Louis de Gonzague church in Nashua on November 8, 2024, at 10AM. He will be laid to rest at 3PM at the Veterans’ Cemetery in Boscawen, NH with full military honors.

The family is extremely grateful to Pathways Hospice for their kindness and care of Bernie during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pathways Hospice, St. Jude or the charity of your choice.