SACO — Robert “Spike” Cote, 71, of Saco, passed away early Tuesday morning, March 1, 2016, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

He was born in Biddeford Oct. 1, 1944, a son of Eugene and Germaine (Deschambeault) Cote. He graduated from St. Louis High School, Class of 1963, and went to the University of New Brunswick in Frederick, N.B.

After college, Spike served the Biddeford community as a fireman and ambulance driver for several years. He later was employed by UPS in South Portland for 10 years and then moved into the position he enjoyed the most, equipment manager for Thornton Academy from 1984 to 2008.

He was very supportive and involved with many of Thornton’s sporting events. Most of all, he loved to be with his family, and cherished the time he spent with them.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his brother, Paul; and his sister, Marguerite.

He is survived by: his wife of 47 years, Anita (Poirier) Cote; two children, Craig Cote and his wife Lisa, and Jennifer Saunders and her husband Karim; seven grandchildren, Ben, Khamal, Tommy, Andrew, Kaiya, Stephanie and Ryan; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass will be held at 9:45 a.m. Monday, March 7, at Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home. To view Spike’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit cotefuneralhome.com.