Louis Henry Cote
Born September 17, 1933 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Died January 21, 2024, aged 90 years. Beloved husband of 57 years of Marie Ann (Cucuzzella); father of Ann (Scott) Hoffman and Piera (Mark) Robson. Grandpop and Pop Pop of Louisa, Anna and Nina Hoffman and Giovanna and Alessandra Robson. Loving brother of Frank Cote; Brother-in-law of Vincent (Nancy) Cucuzzella, Anthony (late Judy) Cucuzzella, Joanne (Mark) Gilmartin. Fond uncle and great-uncle of many. Predeceased by his parents, Peg and Al Cote; brother, Al Cote Jr; brother, Francis Armand Cote, Ann and Leo Cucuzzella, and beloved cousins, Ellen Ball O’Brien, and James A Murphy II; and Ripley (his Springer Spaniel).
Lou was the second son of Peg (nee Murphy) and Al Cote. He was born in Pawtucket, RI, after the Depression and before the War. He always remembered going to Block Island during the War to stay because his favorite aunt had cows and chickens for milk and eggs. He would return to Block Island for most of his life to spend vacations, sitting on the beach and reading. In the mid-40’s, the Cote’s moved to Silver Spring, MD, because Al got a position working for the Ordinance Lab at Johns Hopkins. Lou attended the University of Maryland, graduating in 1955 with a degree in Interior Design; he later received his MBA from American University. He served in the US Air Force in the 50’s, stationed in Florida and Texas. He retired from Johns Hopkins University.
In 1965, his brother, Al, and future brother-in-law, Vincent Cucuzzella, conspired to match him with Marie Ann Cucuzzella. They were married in 1966, and were together from then forward. Lou and Marie Ann had two daughters, Ann and Piera. From these two daughters came five beautiful granddaughters: Louisa, Anna, Nina, Giovanna, and Alessandra. Thanks to the wit and intelligence he has passed down, each of his seven girls is successful in her own way.
Lou’s favorite hobby was his garden. This is where he allowed his inner artist its greatest freedom. Henry Mitchell, his favorite gardener, said, “Gardening is a long road, with many detours and way stations, and here we all are at one point or another. It’s not a question of superior or inferior taste, merely a question of which detour we are on at the moment. Getting there .. is not important; the wandering … is the whole point.”
Visitation 10am until time of Memorial Mass, 11am on Friday, January 26 at St. John of the Cross Church, 5005 Wolf Rd., Western Springs. Interment at a later date at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Block Island Nature Conservancy are greatly appreciated.
Funeral information: 708-352-6500
We love you, Daddy.
Dear family, you are all in our prayers at this difficult time. Lou loved his family so much, and was loved right back. What a beautiful testament to his life you all are. With much love, Rosalie, Sean and the kids. Xoxoxo
Rosie,
You know he loved his O’Briens. How proud he was of you at Harvard, Phil in his law practice, and Mike in his teaching. He never met the kids, but as much as he loved hearing about Connor, it would have been the same. Love you.
May his soul rest in peace. To the family may you find solace during this difficult time. It is well.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Lou was a good man and Joyce and I are blessed that our paths crossed with Marie and him.
Our condolence to his family,who can take solace in the knowledge he is with Jesus forever.
Rest in peace.
Thank you so much. We will take comfort in the outpouring of love. He was a great man, interested in whomever he was talking to. He let you be you.
He was a joy and full of sunshine. He will be missed dearly. Sending love to you all. Xo m
Maria,
Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers. He loved the LoLordo’s. P said you had a ACGAS marathon in honor of him. PBS was his thing!
Love,
All of us
Sending love to MarieAnn, Ann, Piera and the entire Cote-Cucuzzella family. Ours is a family history that spans decades and generations. And Lou Cote was one of the gems. He offered his warm laughing heart, sprightly humor, botanical tips and generosity of spirit to most anyone he met… at least that was my experience as his cousin and also neighbor in Crownsville, Md. My hubby Hank and I enjoyed our dinners at MarieAnn and Lou’s for the conversation, humor and big embrace they always provided. Fitting to know his last hours were pleasurable. In the company of his love, MarieAnn, enjoying small pleasures like ice cream, and watching the kind of show that held to his brand of humanity. Miss you, Lou.
Ann, he was also proud to count you as a colleague at JHU, so proud of your achievements. How much he liked Hank. Unfortunately, he didn’t know Ethan for the fine young man he has become, but he watched from afar. The LoLordo-Greenbergs will always have a place in his heart.
Piera and family,
So sad to hear of your loss. Thinking of you.
Marie
I was saddened to hear of your husband’s passing. My sincere condolences to you and to Ann and her family on the loss of her dad.
I was sick the entire week with something or I would have attended the wake. My prayers are with you all.