Jean Paul Cote, of Lake Bluff in Gladstone, Mich., and Vero Beach, died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.
Jean Paul was born July 25, 1928.
He was the son of Lydia (Southiere) and Oliver Cote, the brother of Gerald and Nita (Robert) Cote, of Holyoke, Mass.
He attended Precious Blood Catholic School and Holyoke Public High School, graduating in 1942.
His love of piano began at 7 in elementary school, where he took private lessons and continued playing throughout his life.
At 15, he started a band and had his own show on the radio.
By 18, he was playing for a burlesque show for such stars as Sally Rand.
In 1945, he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Korea where he was the chaplain’s assistant.
Prior to his honorable discharge, he was promoted to staff sergeant.
He was honorably discharged in 1948.
He attended the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and was a member of the Eta Phi Fraternity.
He was an Eagle Scout and continued with scouting throughout his college career.
Cote received his master’s degree at NMU, majoring in French and music.
He came to Escanaba in 1959 where he taught French and music for the Escanaba Schools for 31 years.
He also directed the Escanaba City Band for 13 years.
He married Jeanine Landry in 1953 and had three children.
Landry preceded him in death on Nov. 30, 2003.
After retiring from Escanaba Area High School, he wintered in Vero Beach where he was active in directing the Notables.
He was a member of the Terrace Bluff Country Club for over 30 years and the Lake in the Woods Team in Florida.
In 2005, he married Joyce Vastine from Vero Beach.
He became the choir director of that church.
Survivors include his wife Joyce; sons, Brad Cote, of Vero Beach, Sean (Veronica) Cote, of Waterloo, Ill.; daughter, Jahane, of Spanish Fort, Ala.; stepsons, David (Flora) Gray, of Lake Wales, and Stephen (Donna) Gray, of Cold Springs, Ky.; four grandchildren, Ryan and Erin Cote, Alex Stefo and Erin Peterson; niece, Edna Cote Huelsbec; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was held Friday Nov. 11, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Escanada, Delta County, veteran’s services were also conducted.
A funeral service for Jean Paul Cote’ was held 4 p.m. Friday at Christ the King Lutheran Church with the Rev. Chris Johnson officiating.
Entombment took place in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery.
A memorial service at Living Lord Lutheran Evangelism in Vero Beach was performed by Pastor David A. Charlton on January 21st at 2pm followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Jean- Paul Cote’ Music Scholarship Fund at Bay de Noc College in Escanaba, Michigan.