Roland U. Cote

"S. Hadley, Roland U. Cote, 82, died peacefully at Western Mass. Hospital on Sunday, June 6. Born in Chicopee, December 4, 1927 he was the son of Ovila and Rose (Rondeau) Cote Desjardins and lived in Holyoke for many years before moving to South Hadley. He was formerly employed by Holyoke Street Railway, Springfield Street Railway and Pioneer Valley Transit prior to his retirement. He served as a Eucharistic Minister in several parishes and was active in local Catholic Church organizations. He held many offices in the Circle Rochambeau and was also a member of St. Jean the Baptist Fraternal Organization for 70 years. His beloved wife, Rita (Mathieu) Cote died in February. He will be sadly missed by his three children, Joyce L. Merriman and her husband Donald of Ludlow, Janice T. Cote and her husband Donald Priore of Groton and Ronald J. Cote of Holyoke, along with his grandchildren Valerie Graham of Sanford, NC and Matthew Priore of Groton. A sister Yvette Coopee of Seattle, WA also survives him. Besides his parents and wife, a brother Roger Cote and sister Theresa Szalowski preceded him in death. A memorial mass will be held Saturday, June 12 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee followed by burial in Notre Dame Cemetery. A calling hour will precede the service from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Beers & Story S. Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St., (Rte 116). The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to either Western Mass. Hospital Patient Needs Fund, 91 East Mountain Rd, Westfield, 01085, or Mass Chapter Alzheimer’s Assoc., 331 Arsenal St., Watertown, 02472. "