Rev. Robert L Cotter

Fr. Robert Leo Cotter, 92, died Sunday, February 1, 2015 at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, NY. Father had been in failing health for some time. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, Canton, on Wednesday, Feb.4, 2015 at noon. Most Rev. Terry R. LaValley, Bishop of Ogdensburg, will be the main celebrant with the priests of the diocese concelebrating. The homilist will be Fr. Jay Seymour. Reception of the body at church will be at 10 a.m. Viewing of the body will be until 11:45 followed by Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in the at St. Mary's Cemetery, Canton on Friday, May 15, 2015 at 1:00 PM. Arrangements are with O'Leary Funeral Service of Canton, NY.
Father Cotter was born on November 10, 1922 in Canton, NY, the twin son of the late Edward and Margaret Clark Cotter. He graduated from Canton High School and began seminary studies at Wadhams Hall in 1939. He completed his advanced studies at St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester and was ordained on June 14, 1947 by Bishop Bryan McEntegart at St. Mary's, Ogdensburg, NY.
Following his ordination, Father Cotter was appointed assistant pastor at St. Peter's, Lowville, chaplain at Mercy Hospital in 1951, and assistant pastor at St. Paul's, Black River and St. Rita's, Deferiet. In 1955, he was named pastor of St. Brendan's in Keene, later as pastor in St. Francis Xavier, Redwood, then pastor in St. Mary's, Constableville in 1968. He was appointed Pro-Synodal Judge in 1974 for five years, then pastor of St. Mary's, Copenhagen, and New Boston; in 1993 he was administrator of Star Lake. Father retired in 1997, then in 2000 appointed administrator of St. Mary's Nativity in West Leyden and Sts. Peter and Paul, Fish Creek. After that, Father retired to Glenfield. In May, 2009, in poor health, he moved to the Sisters of St. Joseph infirmary in Watertown, NY.
Father Cotter was predeceased by his brother Charles, and is survived by his twin brother Lawrence, who resides in United Helpers, Ogdensburg, a brother, Maurice, who resides in St. Joseph's Nursing Home and a cousin, Lauren Stiles.

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