Paul Donald Cote

Paul was born on September 17, 1946, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He completed his undergraduate work at Farleigh Dickinson University in Education. He received his Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva University.

He started his career working for the DYFS. He worked as a social worker at many of the local hospitals such as The Valley Hospital and St. Barnabas Medical Center. He was a tireless worker, dedicated to his job and helping his patients and their families. He spent most of his weeks working seven days a week. He would take phone calls at home and do whatever needed to be done to ensure his patients received the highest quality of care. He never complained and never tired.

Paul was a devoted parent to his one child, Felicia. He would always be there whenever she needed to talk, always assisted her with her work, even after a long day of work, and would always show up for her events. He was a voracious reader, taking books out on a weekly basis from the local library. The house often had books all over which he was in the midst of reading. He loved to discuss philosophy and political news. He was an avid and skilled gardener, growing vegetables for all his neighbors and friends, and teaching his grandkids how to do so too. His grandsons adored him and his older grandson loved playing detective with him and watching movies together.

Paul was always willing to help anyone who asked for help. He was kind, patient, steady, generous, and had a great sense of humor. Everyone who met him loved him.

Paul was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2023. He fought a good fight, but passed peacefully on January 26, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Strickler, his daughter, Felicia Vasudevan and her husband Anant Vasudevan and their two children Avi and Shawn Vasudevan. He is also survived by his sister Debbie Stabinski.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Feeding America