George Cote

Dover, NH- George. W. Cote, 78, of 13 Lakeview Drive died Thursday Nov. 23, 2017 at Bellamy Fields in Dover after a brief illness. He was born Aug. 29, 1939 in Hillsboro, NH, the son of the late George Cote, Sr. and Gertrude (Brown) Cote. George has resided in Dover since 1971. George graced Rochester's educational system in 1961, when he entered the Junior High School as an Industrial Arts teacher. Mr. Cote continued as an Industrial Arts teacher until 1972 when he became the Assistant Principal at the Junior High School. After two successful years, he moved on to become Principal at McClelland School for three years. In 1977 he was promoted to Rochester Vocational Director. Mr. Cote maintained his position as Vocational Director for 10 years until 1987 when Rochester made him the Assistant Superintendent. In 1988 Mr. Cote decided to return to Spaulding as Rochester's Vocational Director. Mr. Cote tried unsuccessfully to retire in 1992, but returned in 1993 as Rochester's Interim Assistant Superintendent. George's achievements include developing a steering committee made up of businesses and industries that advise the Vocational Department; Title IV in the Rochester school district, which included enlisting staff support for special creative projects, writing proposals to submit to Concord for consideration, and, when approved, executing those plans. Rochester has received Title IV awards under his direction. He also was involved in the planning of the new vocational building from beginning to end, with financial planning and finalized construction plans. He was a member of the Rochester Country Club and the Hackle and Tackle Club. George was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. Members of his family include his wife of 58 years, Nancy (Norton) Cote; sons, Gary M. Cote, Lebanon, ME, Steven D. and wife Jennifer Cote, Milton Mills, NH, Mark A. and Diana Cote, Amesbury, MA; grandchildren, Michael, Jessica, Nathan and Ben Cote; great grandchildren, Lucas and Karter. George was predeceased by daughter-in-law, Kathy Cote. Memorial visitation will be Tuesday, November 28, 2017 from 3-6pm at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 Main Street, Rochester, NH. A Memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 10am in the chapel of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Centralized Memorial Processing Center, 30 Spleen Street, Framingham, MA  01701.