Russell Martin Cote of West Tisbury died on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. He was 78.
Russell, Russ, Skip was born June 24, 1937, to Russell E. Cote and Winifred (Kelly) Cote, the eldest of six children. Russell grew up on the East Side of Brockton, which influenced his tough-guy persona. He received a full scholarship from Brockton High School to pursue professional baseball. Family obligations forfeited this opportunity. Eventually, he fulfilled his passion and talent and played in a league as shortstop.
Russell enlisted in the Army in 1956 and served two years in Korea. He was honorably discharged. Russ rarely spoke of his time in Korea, but proudly displayed his veteran’s license plate, car seat covers, and hat with emblems and pins.
He met the love of his life, Priscilla Louise (Wagner) Cote, in 1955. Russ knew immediately they would be married and raise a family when he returned from Korea. They wed on August 22, 1958.
During a family summer vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, Russell fell in love with the Island and Islanders. He relocated the family from their home in Pembroke to West Tisbury, near Long Point, and began Island life. A master plumber, he started his own plumbing business. He enjoyed local seafood, dart night at home, listening to the pounding waves of South Beach from his home, woodworking furniture and crafts, cruises with his wife, playing horseshoes, card nights, cribbage, building model airplanes, playing the harmonica and guitar, home-cooked dinners, watching all New England sports teams, and repairing anything broken or building anything anyone needed. Russell owned motorcycles and loved riding. He was in a bowling league. He was an avid CB radio enthusiast, often communicating with his father. He was a past member of Kiwanis Club and was past president of Sunset Lake Club.
His fascination with planes stemmed from his childhood. His father, a pilot, would take him flying. An opportunity to work at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport in operations offered him new experiences with planes. He retired in 1992. Ever the aviation enthusiast, Russell became involved with flight simulation. Known as “Fossil “ to his online flight squad, he built an elaborate computer gaming system. No accessories were off limits to enrich his flying experiences. Many dinners, from Thanksgiving to birthdays, might be delayed in favor of Dad’s flying mission. He loved sharing with us his graphics, in weather conditions from snowstorms and lightning to terrain with snow-capped mountains and beautiful sunsets. At his service, a single plane with impeccable timing flew over during his eulogy.
Not one to sit still in retirement, Russell returned to work with his best friend Alan. He worked at the Navigator Restaurant in Edgartown until it closed and was sold. He was a Renaissance man who loved a challenge and was quite satisfied with a full day of hard work.
Always the provider with a huge heart, family was the most important part of his life. He looked forward to every moment spent with his family. He told us every day how much he loved us around him. He always wanted to hear about our day. He was our life coach, always eager to offer support and advice: “If you don’t like your job, get another.” “If you want something, buy it.” He always celebrated someone’s success or good news with their favorite takeout dinner.
Russell loved dogs and had a special bond with his Golden Retriever, Lillian. He enjoyed feeding her an ear of Morning Glory corn, and taking her everywhere with him. Russell also loved his house cats, Merlin, Matilda, Moshup, and Menasha. He enjoyed feeding the squirrels peanuts from his favorite outdoor rocking chair and hand-feeding his loyal catbird.
Russell loved to laugh more than anything. Jokes filled the house, and his special anecdotes will be recited forever. Laughter was the best medicine in the Cote house. “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t” truly conveyed his belief that using laughter excused his noncompliant ways. We referred to him as Archie Bunker, very set in his ways with a spitfire remark on the ready. He always did it his way. We believe it was the right way.
In addition to his wife of 57 years, Priscilla, he is survived by his three children: Denise and her husband Brian Alwardt of West Tisbury; Shawn of Jackson Hole, Wyo.; and Deanna and her husband Damian Ruiz of West Tisbury and N.M.; three sisters, Linda Rodrick, Valerie Cote, and Donna Gurney; brother-in-law Lenny Fagan and his wife Priscilla; brother-in-law Richard Rodrick, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his brothers Lucien and Paul.
Russell requested services be private. Full military honors were provided by the veterans of Martha’s Vineyard. Arrangements were under the care of Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook. Donations in Russell’s memory may be made to the Tri-Town Ambulance Fund, 452 State Road, West Tisbury, MA 02575, or the Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1829 Edgartown, MA 02539.