LISBON FALLS – Founder of Cote Crane Passes, Armand E. Cote, 89, of Lisbon Falls, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, after a courageous battle with COPD, surrounded by his loving family.

The eldest of eight children. He was born in Lewiston on January 16, 1929 to Armand “Sam” and Rose (Gagne) Cote. He attended Holy Cross School and completed his freshman year at Lewiston High School before leaving to work. In 2003 at the age of 74, he received his honorable high school diploma.

He joined the Army at the age of 17, where he was a cook and received an honorable discharge. He worked at Bosse Construction, Lewiston Crushed Stone, H.E. Callahan, and was the first fulltime employee at Callahan Brothers in Mechanic Falls. He moved to Cianchette Construction (later known as Cianbro) prior to going on his own.

He married Carmen S. Labbe on May 30, 1950. In the years following, they were blessed with four children which they raised in Sabattus, Maine with two years spent in the early 1960s, in Lubec, Maine while Armand worked on building the Roosevelt International Bridge to Campobello Island. In 1966, he and Carmen founded A. E. Cote Crane and Excavating, later to become The Cote Corporation providing crane and rigging services to local contractors.

He worked with his three sons Daniel, Paul and Ronald to grow the family business. Armand was a skilled crane operator, rigger, millwright and business owner who grew the company along with three generations to a position of statewide leadership in their field. In addition to serving businesses, contractors and homeowners, Armand ensured that the Cote Corporation was committed to supporting local community projects and events. He believed in being a good corporate citizen, whether it involved delivering and installing Christmas trees in Lewiston and Auburn, contributing to area schools, participating in community parades, or assisting in the transportation and installation of memorials and monuments for veterans and many churches.

Armand was passionate about the company and the service it provided. He served as President and continued weekly visits to The Cote Corporation up until the week before he died, to engage with the entire crew and to help where needed. He believed that what makes the Cote Corporation special is its “Dedication to Excellence”.

Armand grew up as a member of Holy Cross Parish in Lewiston and later moved to Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Sabattus where he served as Minister of the Eucharist and President of the School Board. He was a 4th degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus Council 106, Degree, and served in their Honor Guard. He was also a member of the Auburn Business Association, Associated Builders & Contractors, Specialized Riggers & Carriers Association, American Legion, and Richelieu International. He served as Director and President at Sabattus Regional Credit Union and as Trustee at the Sabattus Sanitary District.

Armand enjoyed playing cribbage, reading, fishing, and attending the Franco American Festival. He participated in antique car/truck shows and loved riding in parades with his 1926 Mack AB Model truck especially in the Moxie Parade. He married Madeleine Bureau on Oct. 12, 1999 and wintered in New Port Richey, Fla. and later Mesa, Ariz.

He is survived by his wife Madeleine (Bureau) of 19 years and he will be lovingly remembered by his four children, Daniel Cote (Janice), Paul Cote (Nancy), Ronald Cote (Lynn) and Nancy Craven (Richard), as well as stepchildren David Dupre (Sandy) and Joline Swauger (Steve); his siblings Betty Clukey, Connie Crump (Marvin), Evelyn Deblois (Edgar), Francis Cote (Lori), in-laws Normand “Pete” Garant, Jackie Labbe, and Normand Bosse. Armand will be forever remembered by his 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; God children; numerous nieces and nephews; and extended family and dear friends.

He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Carmen (Labbe); as well as his parents; a sister Elaine Bosse, two brothers, Donald and Felix Cote, in-laws Normand “Blackie” Labbe, Pauline Garant, Lorraine Foristal, Lorette Poisson, Richard Clukey, John Dupre and Anne Marie Dupre.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday Jan. 17. Committal services to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery with Military Honors. Family and friends are invited to visit on Wednesday Jan. 16th from 3-8 p.m. at the Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston, ME 04240. 784-4023.

For those wishing

donations in Armand’s memory may be made to:

ABC Workforce

Development Fund

C/O Maine

Community Foundation

245 Main St.

Ellsworth, ME 04605 or:

Shriners Hospital

for Children

“Transportation Fund”

11 Sabattus St.

Lewiston, ME 04240

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