Kenneth Cota

MONTGOMERY - Kenneth M. Cota, age 61, passed away Friday, March 2, 2012 at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington with his loving family at his side.

He was born April 14, 1950 in Barton, Vermont, the son of the late Leon & Katherine (Crandall) Cota.

Over the years Ken has touched many lives in his many roles. He told many a story of racing his favorite car, a metallic blue 1969 Roadrunner in his younger years with friend Paul Sylvester of Montgomery. His love for cars brought him to a career in automotive repair that began in Montgomery at the Citgo station later owned by his brother Bob. From there he worked at Champlain Chevrolet and then for CJ Shover in Enosburg. Ken used his expertise and experience to start his first automotive service in Enosburg and created an extensive and loyal network of customers who followed him when he moved his garage to Montgomery where he also ran a deli and convenience store. When he built a garage at his home in 2000, he sold the store and in turn found a good friend in Donna Bartsch. Ken lived in Montgomery for 60 years and in that time served his beloved community in numerous ways. He was a member of the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years, was Fire Warden in the past couple years. Served several terms as Chairman in his 30 plus years on the Town Select Board as well as Chairman of the Budget Committee which years included the trying times of the 1997 flood. He was proud to have chaired the Montgomery School Board for over 10 years and also served as Chairman of the Supervisory Union Board for several years. Ken was always happiest when surrounded by children whether it was as bus driver for the Elementary School, attending as many ball games as he could or with his many great-nieces and nephews at the Cota family camp. Ken enjoyed playing Texas Hold Em with family and friends as well tournaments and Poker Family gatherings hosted by Paul and Louise Fletcher of Richford . For many years he played darts joining teams and playing in Vermont as well as Quebec. His favored pastime was hunting whether in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, North Carolina, New Brunswick or all over Quebec with his friend Randy Jewett of Richford. One of the proudest hunting moments being the 854 lb, 54 spread Moose taken in Maine. Ken was much loved, well respected and will be missed dearly by all.

He is survived by his daughter Heather Cota of Montgomery and her partner Broc Lewis; Heathers mother, Stephanie Potter of Burlington; his sister, Kathie and her husband Forrest Chase of Montgomery; his sisters-in-law, Sandie Cota and Jo Cota both of Montgomery Center; his nephews and nieces and their families, Marty Cota and his daughter Krystal, Dana Cota his wife Kelly and their sons, Evan & Conner, Jim Cota his partner Sidney Phelps and his children, Ashley, Whitney & Hazen Cota, and Lynn Cota Caforia and her children, CJ, Cameron, Casey & Gabriella. Besides his parents, Ken was predeceased by his brothers, Bob Cota on January 7, 2012 and Eric Cota on February 16, 2012.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 11:00 AM at St. Isidores Catholic Church, 169 Mountain Road, Montgomery Center with Rev. Karl Hahr celebrating the Mass of Christian burial.

Visiting hours will be held Friday from 4-7 PM at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls.

For those who wish, contributions in Kens memory may be made to the St. Albans Dialysis Unit, 7-8 Crest Road, St. Albans, VT 05478 or to the Lamoille Area Cancer Network, Inc., P.O. Box 38, Lake Elmore, VT 05657.