John Arthur Cotter Sr.

John Arthur Cotter Sr., Norwich lawyer, decorated veteran, former city official, husband, father, and grandfather, died on September 25th. He was 78 years old. He will live in the memory of his wife, Linda, and his two children: Erin Wise (and her husband Brian Wise), John Cotter Jr. (and his wife Elisa Gabbert) and his beloved grandchildren Colin and Julianne Wise. And his friends.

In the course of his life John served his country in Vietnam, spent nearly a decade on the Norwich city council, built a local business that continues to thrive, and raised a family in the house he built for them on Scotland Road, where huge oaks and pepperidge trees surrounded the yard like the walls of a big green room.

Born in Norwich on January 9, 1943, he grew up on army posts around the country, moving with his mother, Vivian, and his father, Col. Arthur Cotter, from New York to Kansas to Washington. After the war, when Col. Cotter was appointed chief of the constabulary in Munich, John and his mother sailed across the Atlantic on the first ship of American dependents to make the journey.

He spent summers at his family’s cottage on Pleasure Beach, where he worked as a lifeguard. He loved to take his canoe into the clam pond and out into the sound. His neighbors at Pleasure Beach, the Fannings and the Adelettis on either side of the cottage, were as close to him as family.

John played basketball at Framingham High and Gonzaga Prep and shot hoops in the basketball courts in the basement of the Pentagon (he was a great shot and he never stopped loving the game). He majored in Political Science at Northeastern University, graduating in 1965, then attended Law School at Boston University, where he edited the law school newspaper and led his class to graduation in 1968. On completion of infantry school at Fort Benning, and Military Intelligence training at Fort Holabird, John served in the National Security Agency’s Special Research Department, where he was entrusted Top Secret security clearance. In 1969 he deployed to Vietnam. Stationed at the U. S. Command Center in Saigon, John prepared and delivered daily Briefings for Gen. Creighton Abrams. His decorations included the Bronze Star.

Returning to Norwich after the war, he met Linda Stockdale of Taftville and fell in love. They married in 1973 and raised two children on whom they lavished attention and care.

John was parade martial for the City of Norwich from the 1980s through the early 90s. He served for nearly a decade on the city council, and later as a corporator of the Dime Savings Bank and the Chelsea Groton Savings Bank. From 1985 – 1986 he was president of the William W. Backus Hospital. John represented the city’s five volunteer fire departments and VFW Post 594 on a pro bono basis. He was a legal advisor to both Ron Aliano and Ed Safdie, playing a role in the creation of the American Ambulance Service, and the expansion and flourishing of the Norwich Inn and Spa. Later, John was instrumental in the funding and design of the Norwich Vietnam Veterans Memorial—an achievement of which he was especially proud.

In 1979 John founded the law firm Cotter & Greenfield (later Cotter, Greenfield, Manfredi, & Lenes). He was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, and before the U. S. Supreme Court. In 1994 he was admitted into the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court and to the Mohegan Tribe Gaming Disputes Court. He co-authored Connecticut’s regulations governing emergency services, served on the State’s commission to study school finance and equality of education opportunity, and was beneficiary of numerous veterans and civic awards. From 1979-1980 he was president of the New London County Bar Association.

In person, John was funny, charming, larger than life. He would invite you outside for a glass of Mendoza brandy and a Cuban cigar and, in his deep, resonant voice, regale you with histories of the British imperial wars, southwestern architecture, canoeing, the wit of Winston Churchill, and stories of the many strange characters he encountered on his journeys.

In his later years John caught up on the British mystery stories he loved, traveled to visit his children, and even wrote some mystery stories for his grandchildren, the adventures of the famous detective Mr. Pickle. He loved animals and was happiest in the company of his dogs (and later, unexpectedly, cats). He loved autumn weather, traveling thorough New England, and music: bagpipes, The Clancy Brothers singing “The Wild Rover,” and Frank Patterson singing “Danny Boy.”

There will be a private burial, followed by a memorial service to be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the VFW and Humane Society.