Obituary of John Phillip Cotter

The death of John (Jack) Philip Cotter of Rothesay, NB, husband of Elva (Honey) Vienneau occurred on Friday, March 19, 2004, at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born August 30, 1939, in Sussex, NB, he was the son of Mary Louise (Hynes) and the late Walter Joseph Cotter. Following his graduation from Sussex High School in 1957, John began his working career with the Royal Bank of Canada in Sussex. A couple of years later he moved to Saint John and worked with Burroughs Business Machines until 1974 when he began a most rewarding career with Wrigley's Canada Inc. as a sales representative of Atlantic Canada. John loved meeting people and was a very familiar face in the retail field in New Brunswick. He retired in the fall of 2002 at which time Wrigley's bid goodbye to one of its best. John always felt a deep desire to serve others, which led him to actively participate in organizations such as the Saint John Kinsmen (President 1976-77), St. Joachim's Parish Council (Chair 1976-80) and Knights of Columbus Council 8364. As friends and family know, John took great pride in a job well done and this was reflected in his bowling scores and beautifully groomed gardens. Underlying all of John's passions was his love for his wife, Honey, of 41 years and his family. He was so proud of his four girls and his 12 grandchildren. He was a loving, kind, generous father and friend to whom family meant everything. He was their “Super Jack” and will be sadly missed. He fought a courageous battle with cancer and until the end repeated “I'm going to put up a hard fight.” Surviving in addition to his wife, Honey, are four daughters, Michelle (Mimi) Iatrou of Halifax, NS, and their children, Kallie, Maya, and Theo; Karen (Glen) Spurrell of Quispamsis, NB, and their children, Andrew, Adam and Christopher; Stacey (Trevor) Allen of Hampton, NB, and their children, Matthew, Michael and Melanie; Andrea (Stephen) Evans of Grand Bay, NB, and their children, Jenna, John and Julia. He is also survived by his mother, Mary L. Cotter of Sussex Corner, NB; one uncle, John P. Hynes of Sussex, NB; four brothers, Edward (Betty) of Sussex, NB; Phelan (Betty) of Trenton, NS; Frank (Mary Lou) of Fredericton, NB, and Paul (Judy) of Toronto, Ont, and two sisters, Lois (Jarvis) McQuinn of Sussex, NB, and Geraldine (Ted) Reinders of Saint John, NB, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, (506-634-7424) with visiting on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Vigil Service will take place at the Funeral Home on Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 22, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Catholic Church, Pettingill Road, Quispamsis, NB. Interment will take place at a later date in Sussex, NB. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Palliative Care Unit, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the donor's choice.