Cote, Donald B.

ALBANY- Donald B. Cote died on December 1, 2015 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief but valiant fight with pancreatic cancer.

Don was born in 1937 in North Carolina, the son of the late Harold and Mildred (Hooks) Cote. He lived most of his life in Albany, graduated from Cathedral Academy in 1956, and later served in the National Guard.

Don was a long time active member of the Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Union (previously Local 6 currently Local 2), he worked on dozens of construction projects throughout Upstate New York and Massachusetts including the Empire State Plaza, SUNY Albany, Albany Housing Authority, Boston’s Government Center, and Hunter Tannersville High School. Don was elected financial secretary of the Union Local in 1975 and later served as a delegate to both the state and national conventions. He also was appointed pension trustee and was instrumental in organizing the Local 2 retirees club in 1998. In retirement he worked part time for the Albany County Court System. Don also belonged to and served as an officer of the Albany Council of the Knights of Columbus and the Whitehall Station Neighborhood Association.

Don was an avid fan of Western movies, the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, and Siena basketball. He also enjoyed Sunday drives in the country, great food, and spending time with family and friends.

Don is survived by the love of his life, Josephine Raponi Cote. They were married on August 15, 1959 at the former Saint Anthony’s Church in Albany. Also survived by daughters; Susan (Tom) Burke and Sandra (Joe Bertasso) Cote; siblings Marie DeFlumer, Sandra Cote, Deborah Cote Dietz, and Brian Cote; aunt Ruth Malossi; cousin Livia Mormile; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Predeceased by his brother Chet Branson of North Carolina.

Don was an animal lover and was particularly fond of his late cat Chianti. Surviving family pets include his cat Freddy, grand dog Shoelace, and grand bunny Marshmallow.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 9:15 am from the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., 490 Delaware Ave. Albany thence to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, corner of Madison Ave. and Eagle St. Albany where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.

Relatives and friends are invited and may also visit with his family on Monday, December 7, 2015 from 3-7 pm in the funeral home.