NORMAN J. COTE “A Man with a Generous Heart” CAMDEN……………..Norman J. Cote, 89, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 in Camden. Born in Anson on September 3, 1922, he was the third youngest of ten children of Marcel and Alice Cote. Following high school, Norman served in the U.S. Army, 106th Division, during WWII and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the States and met his future wife, Mary McDonnell in Boston. They were married in St. Cecilia’s Church in Boston in 1946 and later returned to Maine. Norman managed several IGA stores in Caribou, Ellsworth and Camden. During this time Norman and Mary became the proud parents of their daughters, Kathleen, Karen, and Koreen. In Camden, Norman became known as a very “spirited man” of the local community because of his joyful service and outreach to others. Through his years as proprietor of the Camden IGA, he welcomed his customers with his gentle manner and friendly smile. He often assisted families experiencing economic problems by quietly donating bags of groceries to the households. Norman always searched for ways to assist with any community projects in Camden. He would ask his customers to deposit their sales slips from the Camden IGA in a jar and later Norman would donate a percentage of the sales to local charities including the former Camden Community Hospital, the former YMCA and the Camden Fire Department. In 1967, when Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church became a parish, Norman was present to greet the first pastor, Father St. Pierre. The new rectory was located on Megunticook Street across from the Cote’s family home. Norman quickly furnished the rectory with all of the necessary items to make it comfortable for the new pastor. During his years in Camden, Norman was a member of the Camden Lion’s Club, Camden Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He belonged to the Knight’s of Columbus of the 4th degree. He served on the SAD #28 School Board, the Board of Director’s for The Henderson School, and was a former President of the Board of Directors for the “Home for Seniors” at 63 Washington Street. After retiring from the grocery business, Norman began a second career as a chef on the yacht, “Curt C” for thirteen years, which cruised out of Miami, Florida. He enjoyed serving those who chartered the yacht as well as planning the menus for the guests. He also worked as a volunteer at Pen Bay Medical Center and at St. Bernard’s Soup Kitchen in Rockland. What motivated Norman to be a man with a generous heart and to have the strength and zeal to do all that he did for others? It was his deep faith in God and his great love for the Eucharist. Norman was a daily communicant of Our Lady of Good Hope Parish where he served on the Parish Council, was a sacristan, a lector, visited the sick and the Seniors of Windward Gardens and Quarry Hill. He enjoyed preparing the Church for the different liturgical seasons. Norman would say, “I do it all for the Lord”. He is predeceased by his loving wife, Mary, his daughter, Kathleen, his parents and nine brothers and sisters. Surviving are his two daughters, Sister Karen Marie, SBS, Sister Koreen Marie, IHM, both of Philadelphia; his granddaughter, Nicole Kurr and her husband, Mike of Dover, NH; his grandson, Michael Ames and his wife, Jamie of Hope; four great-grandchildren, Nathan, Noah, Mallory; Julian and Nolan. Calling hours will be held 4-6PM, with a prayer service at 5:30pm, Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11am, Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church in Camden. Interment will be held at the Maine Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Augusta at a later date. Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Cote family by visiting their book of memories at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.