MCPO RET Bernard Richard Cotter passed on October 29, 2018 at the age of 90 with his daughter and son-in-law by his side at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, FL. Bernie was born in Bridgeport, CT to John Rice Cotter and Anna Solek on July 1, 1928 of which both predeceased him as well as his brother John. He was a Navy WWII and Vietnam Veteran. He served a total of 26 years in the military after re-enlisting. He then retired from Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Authority and Economy Stores in Norfolk, VA. After retirement he moved from Virginia Beach to Kissimmee and finally to The Village, FL.
Bernie as he was known to all never met a person that he did not consider a friend. He always carried around pens to give to anyone that said “Friend of Bernie’s”. His favorite song was “On the Road Again” as every time he broke up with a woman he would call his daughter and start to sing the song.
Bernie was loved by so many people that his daughter could not keep track. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Harriet F. Cotter, of 30 years; granddaughter Tina Marie Bachelder; his companion of 15 years, Marie Warner; and favorite dog “Snuffy”. He is survived by a loving daughter Catherine Ann Peele and her husband Kenneth Peele; grandson Charles E. Bachelder, Jr.; great granddaughter April Bachelder; great grandsons, Kevin Knight, Kyle Britt, and great great granddaughter Laila Marie Knight. He is also survived by his ex-son-in-law that he always considered the son he never had, Charles E. Bachelder, Sr. and his best friend Bill Bradford.
So this time daddy, my heart is singing, “On the road again” just for you on your journey to be with Mom.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 26, 2018, at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home. Immediately following he will be buried with the love of his life, Harriet, in Rosewood Memorial Park. His life will be celebrated with family and friends that loved him as much as all the friends he made in FL. You may offer condolences at www.kellumfuneralhome.com
