Roland Raoul Cote
AUBURN – Roland Raoul Cote died with his family by his side at his residence in Auburn on Sept. 5, 2023.
Roland was born in New Britain, Conn. on July 6, 1929 to Alcide and Florence Cote. He grew up alongside his sister and six brothers in Biddeford.
He graduated from St. Louis High School in 1947, served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, attended Vallejo College, Calif., Tufts University, Massachusetts, graduating in 1958 from Georgetown University School of Dentistry, Washington, D.C. Afterwards, Roland moved back to Maine and started his private practice providing dental care to many patients until his retirement in 1998.
Even into retirement, as Roland and Jeannette lived half the year in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. and half the year in Maine, Roland maintained an active life-style, squeezing every ounce out of life possible, playing hockey, participating in family bike trips, where no one could keep up with him.
Roland held many titles in his life, from a successful dentist to a Navy veteran, to an accomplished athlete, but his favorite role was being a husband and a father. He loved nothing more than spending time with family.
Roland was also a man who loved life and wanted to create memories with his family, whether that was summer Sundays at Uncle Joe and Aunt Jeanne’s camp, trips to Montreal, summers of boating adventures on the JRC, ski trips to Squaw Mountain or The Balsams, biking trips to Bar Harbor or Cape Cod, or simply just family gatherings where he and Jeannette could come together with their children.
Roland is survived by Jeannette Cote, his loving wife of 68 years; David Cote (son) and Pauline Cote, Louise Baker (daughter), Charlene O’Clair (daughter) and Karen Girardin, Stephanie Gelinas (daughter) and Gerry Gelinas, Cynthia Cote (daughter), and Roland Cote (son) and Melinda Cote. Roland leaves behind 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren; his brother, John Cote and sister, Jeanne Robey.
He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Raymond Cote, Normand Cote, Albert Cote, Gerard Cote, and Andre Cote; his daughter, Julie Cote; and grandson, Kristopher Akerley.
Roland’s family would like to extend deep gratitude to all the caregivers in their father’s life, but especially Mary Lou Harris for her love and compassion day in and day out.
Friends and family are invited to come celebrate Roland’s life on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. at Fortin’s Funeral Home Auburn, 217 Turner St., Auburn.
You may offer your condolences at http://www.thefortingrouplewiston.com
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