It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Francis (Fran/Frank) Cote on November 23rd, 2021 after a long and very courageous battle with brain tumors.
Fran was born in Woonsocket, RI on April 14th, 1946 to Rene Cote and Laurette (Landry) Cote. From very early on, he developed a love of everything mechanical, especially fast cars. He spent countless hours as a teenager working on cars to make them better and faster, eventually trading up to his prized Red Chevy Corvette. He attended the GMC tech school outside of Boston, MA to become a certified mechanic. His second love was salt water fishing. He spent many treasured days fishing off the coast of RI and MA, and later in life, he enjoyed several trips to Mexico for some wonderful deep sea fishing adventures. But his first love and total commitment and devotion was to his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, teacher and mentor.
After school, he was immediately drafted into the Army, and sent to Vietnam, where he served in the Motor Pool from 1966 to 1967. From his great love of everything outdoors grew the desire to move West. He eventually settled in Jackson, WY in 1980, with his wife Chris, and their combined family of 4 children. They spent the next 25 years happily exploring and enjoying the beauty of the area. While in Jackson, he opened and ran his own auto repair business, Frank’s Auto Repair.
After the children left the valley, Fran and Chris decided to move closer to the grandchildren and settled in Stevensville, MT, in the center of the Bitterroot Valley. He spent much of his time helping build their new home and his new shop. They enjoyed many great times with the family, and made many more wonderful memories there.
He is survived by his wife, Chris, Francis Cote (son), Debra (Cote) Puryear-Duncan (daughter), Ryan Cote (son), Deana (Cote) Kappes (daughter), and 7 grandchildren: Austin, Colby, Taylor, Paris, Cayden, Evelyn, and Ella, as well as his brother-in-law Roland Deschenes (Irene), several nieces, nephews and grandnieces/nephews. His sister, Irene Deschenes passed away in Maine, one week after her brother. He also leaves behind many wonderful friends from Wyoming and Montana.
The Cote family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Missoula for their support and kindness.
A Celebration of Life service is planned for spring, 2022 at the Cote home.
Please remember his love of life, and his wonderful smile.