Robert Joseph Cote

Robert Joseph Coté, of Bradenton passed away November 15, 2019 at the age of 75; he was born in Willimantic, Connecticut, the son of P. Wilfrid and Mary (Grayson) Coté. He was the third of four brothers, and along with many cousins, spent a happy childhood filled with roughhousing and athletics.

Robert graduated from Manchester High School (CT) in 1962 and then earned a B.S. in Economics from Northland College, in Ashland, Wisconsin. There he played football and was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, where he made lifelong friends. He also met the love of his life, Pat (Blumenberg), marrying her the day before his college graduation. He started working for Professional Food Management, first traveling the United States and setting up the kitchens for new accounts, and later moving to Livonia, Michigan, where he continued as their accountant and auditor for 30 years. He was also active in St. Aidan’s Catholic Church, and could also be found caring for his large fruit and vegetable garden.

After his retirement in 1996, Robert moved to Bradenton where he volunteered for various organizations, including LifeLink, which promotes organ and tissue donation. He also served as President of the Braden Woods Phase VI Homeowners Association from 1997 until the time of his death. He greatly enjoyed the company of friends, particularly his cardiac rehab group at the YMCA—Sarasota, his Fantasy Football teammates, and childhood friends who made their way to Florida.

He is survived by loving wife Pat Coté, children Jill Suarez (Victor) and Michele Coté (Robert Frazier), and four grandchildren: Kristina, Matthew, Jared and Leah. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, December 30, 2019 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at The Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home, 1221 53rd Ave E. Bradenton, Florida, and afterwards at his home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to LifeLink of Florida, as Robert was a 26 year recipient of a successful kidney transplant. Also, consider being an organ and tissue donor and make your family aware of your wishes. LifeLink of Florida, 9661 Delaney Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619 or https://www.lifelinkfoundation.org/