Richard C. Cota, 86, of Ogdensburg died on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse where he had been a patient for a short time.
Richard was born January 16, 1934 in Russell, New York; a son to Alfred Antoine and Lois (Fifield) Cota. He attended Knox-Memorial Central School. Richard served his county honorably as a member of the 82nd Airborne in the US ARMY. On August 3, 1955, Richard was married to Marjorie H. Ashley after knowing her for three days. The couple shared 46 years of marriage and raised seven children before she predeceased Richard on April 3, 2001.
Richard worked various odd jobs in his younger days before becoming a milk man for Browns Dairy. After delivering milk for Browns for 18 years, he began working maintenance at Lisbon Central School, retiring in 1998 after 15 years. Richard was a member of the VFW Post 1231 in Canton and former member of the Heuvelton AMVETS and later the Ogdensburg AMVETS Post 19.He enjoyed woodworking, yard work, gardening and carpentry. He loved his pets and dancing to country music with his beloved Marge.
Richard is survived by two sons, Douglas (Denise) Cota of Gouverneur; Eugene (Marty) Cota of Potsdam; five daughters, Karen (Francis) McGill of Lisbon; Marilyn (Caroline Demers) Cota of Ogdensburg; Carolyn Cota of Ogdensburg; Cathy (Peter) Cullen of Melbourne, FL; and Lisa (Crystal Cary) Cota of Ogdensburg, 17 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and his companion, Jean Clark. Also surviving are a brother, Lyle (Mary) Cota; two sisters, Bertha Briggs and Joyce Daniels all of Canton, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides his wife Marge, Richard was predeceased by his parents Alfred and Lois, 10 brothers and two sisters.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021 at the O’Leary Funeral Home, Canton, from noon until 3:00 pm at which time a funeral service will be held. Masks are required and social distancing practices will be followed. Burial will be held at a later date in the Beech Plains Cemetery.
Memories and condolences are encouraged online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com. Arrangements for Richard C. Cota are under the care of the O’Leary Funeral Service of Canton.
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