J. Thomas Cottrell, Jr.

PROMINENT EXECUTIVE AND COMMUNITY LEADER

April 12, 1925–May 30, 2025

J. Thomas Cottrell, Jr., aged 100, of Gardner’s Neck in Swansea, Mass., passed away peacefully at home on May 30, 2025. He was the husband of the late Margot (White) Cottrell to whom he had been married for 69 years.

Born in Fall River, Mass., a son of the late James T. Cottrell and the late Augusta Louise (Thompson) Cottrell, he had resided in Swansea since 1954.

He was the grandson of Richard Sisson Thompson of the R. A. McWhirr Company.

Mr. Cottrell attended the Highland School and Morton Junior High and was a 1942 graduate of Worcester Academy in Worcester, Mass. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business. He served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II as a Bombardier-Navigator.

Mr. Cottrell was an executive with Cottrell Paper Company, manufacturers of electrical insulating papers in Rock City Falls, N.Y., where he began his employment in 1948 and served as Chairman, CEO and President for 30 years. He retired in 2001 after 53 years of service.

He was a Development Partner in the Fort Miller Hydroelectric Company, located on the Hudson River in Fort Miller, N.Y. and was a member of the Electrical Insulation Conference.

He served many years on the Boards of Directors of the former B.M.C. Durfee Trust Company and Durfee-Attleboro Banks of Fall River and Bristol County. He was a former Trustee of the Citizens Savings Bank of Fall River.

He had been a Director and Clerk of the Corporation of the former R.A. McWhirr Company Department Store of Fall River, a member and past President of the former Greater Fall River Foundation, an Incorporator of Charlton Memorial Hospital and a former Trustee of the Home for Aged People in Fall River.

A lifelong collector of historical memorabilia, Mr. Cottrell was a founder, Charter Life Member, past President, past Chairman of the Board and Artifact Chairman of the Marine Museum at Fall River, Inc. and a board member and past President of the Fall River Historical Society.

He was a member of the Steamship Historical Society, the Friends of Martin House in Swansea, the Swansea Historical Society, the Olde Dartmouth Historical Society and the Descendents of Whaling Masters.

One of the longest holders of continuous membership in the original Quequechan Club of Fall River, he served on many of the club’s committees as well as a term as its President.

Mr. Cottrell was an Incorporator of the Colonial Navy of Fall River in 1968, served on the Steering Committee for Fall River Heritage State Park and was a member of Arts Unlimited.

In 1993 Mr. Cottrell was the recipient of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce’s Recognition Award. In 2016 he received a Massachusetts State Senate Citation honoring him with the Florence Cook Brigham Award, which was given for his dedication in serving the Fall River Historical Society and the local community.

A Life Member of the National Rifle Association, he was an avid sportsman and gun collector for many years as well as a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors, the Rhode Island Muzzle Loaders Society, The Texas Gun Collectors and the Mass Arms Collectors.

Mr. Cottrell’s special interests included memberships in the Ephemera Society, the American Society of Check Collectors, the American Revenue Association, the American Political Items Collectors and the S.E. New England Antique Dealers Association.

Mr. Cottrell was an avid daily cribbage player throughout his life and prided himself on once holding the perfect hand. His grandchildren could rely on him for discarding useful cards for their hands in the family-favorite game of Liverpool Rummy. He was also known throughout his neighborhood for his kindness to canines and was anticipated eagerly as a walking milkbone dispenser. He will be missed as a friendly neighbor, distributor of information and observer extraordinaire.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Margot White Cottrell, his daughter Sara-Louise Cottrell of Swansea, Mass. and his brother Richard F. Cottrell of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

He is survived by his sons Benjamin Cottrell (Valerie) of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Jonathan Cottrell (Rebecca) of Tiverton, R.I. and Swansea, Mass. and Christopher Cottrell of West Tisbury, Mass.

10 Grandchildren: Seth, Ross (Jessica), Graham (Meghan), Noah, Jonna (Kevin), Alissa, Garrett, Jenna (Zack), Hunter (Augusta) and Asher.

7 Great-Grandchildren: Levi, Skyler, Harlow, Adler, Astrid, Sibylle and August.

Many cousins, nieces and nephews.

His family and friends will remember him fondly for his sharp wit, deep sense of loyalty, keen sense of order and cleanliness, typewritten letters, and his vast collections of stamps, sweaters and bow ties. He loved to whistle as he walked about his house.

Tom’s family would like to extend their appreciation to his dedicated around the clock caregivers Kelly Barbosa, Christine Harper, Cathy Mello and Debbie Almeida.

Arrangements are in the care of the Waring Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea, Mass., 508-676-1933. Calling hours are from 11:00am to 12:30pm on Sunday August 31, 2025 with a service to follow at 12:30pm. A brunch in Tom’s honor will follow at Venus the Milo, 75 Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Swansea, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory may be made to the Fall River Historical Society, the Maritime Museum at Battleship Cove, or Charlton Memorial Hospital.