When many Biddeford residents think of Pizza by Alex, they picture one person: Bob Cote, the restaurant’s manager for 52 years. 

Cote died on May 11 from heart and kidney illness. He was 82. He leaves behind a large family, many friends and a legacy of kindness. 

Pizza by Alex owner Steph Mantis, who had known Cote her whole life, will remember him as “super warm and positive,” always armed with a smile and a joke. 

“He was somebody I had a tremendous amount of respect for,” Mantis said Tuesday. “He was someone you wanted to do a good job for.” 

Having grown up in the pizza shop, Mantis recalled how she watched Cote interact with customers. More than once, she saw him recognize someone in need. He would drop what he was doing and sit with the person, Mantis said, offering them comfort during a difficult time.

“He was an anchor,” she said. “When you’re going through a hard time, a familiar face and a comforting meal can mean a lot.” 

Cote served as manager at Pizza by Alex from 1961 until 2013, when he passed the torch to several of Mantis’ cousins. 

In 2020, Mantis — the great-niece of Pizza by Alex founder Alex Mantis — took over as the restaurant’s owner. During that time, she leaned heavily on Cote for his advice and expertise. 

“It was very meaningful to work with him,” Mantis recalled through tears. “He was just so willing to help.” 

In addition to his role as a community fixture at the restaurant, Cote was also a dedicated volunteer.

Former City Councilor Norman Belanger worked at Pizza by Alex in high school and remembered Cote as a “great person.” 

“He treated everyone, whether they were an employee or a customer, like family,” Belanger said. “You couldn’t have asked for a better boss or a better person.” 

To the community, Cote was someone to believe in and trust, Belanger said. He was someone to count on for a smile and a friendly remark who would do the best for everyone around him.

“He was the sweetest person you could possibly ask for,” Belanger said. 

Belanger said he would miss their conversations the most. 

“Every time I saw him, it was as if we were transported back 50 years,” he said. “You would have conversations as if you had never dropped the beat from the last time you talked.” 

Cote is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lucille Cote; his son, Robert Cote; his daughter, Claire Mercier; four brothers and a sister; two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass for Cote will be held Friday at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford. 

“It’s hard to fully believe he’s gone,” Mantis said. “It feels like the end of an era.”