He was born June 1, 1926, in Biddeford, a son of Alcide and Florence (Audie) Cote. Raymond was educated locally, graduating from St. Louis High School in the Class of 1944. On September 18, 1948, he married Paulette Thibault at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford.
While raising his family as a young man, he attended Nasson College, where he earned his degree in mechanical engineering. Raymond apprenticed at Lund Manufacturing. He then worked at Saco- Lowell through its transitions to Maremont and Saco Defense, starting as a tool and die maker and retiring in 1986 as general foreman.
Raymond had been a member of the Biddeford- Saco Rod and Reel Club, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Franco-American Genealogical Society and St. Louis Alumni Association. He had been an avid rollerskater, and loved big band music and playing cribbage. Travel gave him great pleasure; the most memorable occasion was a multi-generation family cruise in 2003.
He was preceded in death by: Paulette, his wife of 60 years, on April 1, 2009; and two brothers, Normand and Andre Cote.
He is survived by: three sons, Andre N. Cote and his wife Susan of Waterboro, Gerald R. Cote and his wife Kim of South Portland, and John R. Cote and his wife Rachel of Arundel; two daughters, Suzanne Picard and her husband Ronald of Biddeford, and Patricia Martel and her husband Roger of Saco; his companion of five years, Gertrude Simoneau of Arundel; four brothers, Roland, Albert, Gerard, and Jean Louis Cote; one sister, Jeanne Robey; 11 grandchildren; 15 greatgrandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 10, at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford.
To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com. Donations in Raymond’s memory may be made to: American Cancer Society, New England Division Inc., 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.
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