Yvan Cote

Yvan “Ski” Cote Essex Yvan “Ski” Cote, 65 passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Ski was born on April 4, 1945 in Quebec City, Quebec to the late Maurice and Fernande (Sevigny) Cote. In 1952, the family moved to a farm in Addison, Vermont. Ski attended Addison Central School and Vergennes High School. After high school, Ski joined the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. Upon conclusion of his military service, Ski worked in the structural steel erection industry in the D.C. area and played an integral role in the construction of many commercial buildings. In 1970, he returned to Vermont and, with his brother, Michael, formed a steel erection and rigging company called Cote Contractors, Inc. After leaving Cote Contractors in 1987, Ski started his own steel erection company, CSE Incorporated. He built CSE into a very successful company through his strong work ethic and personality and he was proud of the high standards that were evident in the finished product. He was a man of no pretense – what you saw was who he was. He could be gruff, stubborn and harsh. But behind that rough exterior was the proverbial heart of gold. Although he retired in 2003, he was and always will be the heart of CSE. He is survived by his son, Greg Cote of Boston, Massachusetts, and a daughter, Michele Barber of Anchorage, Alaska, his brothers, Marc Cote of Essex Jct. and Giles Cote of Colorado, his four sisters, Marie Hebert Parent of Shoreham, Lucille Schnettler of Cicero, New York, Celine Tebbets of Weybridge and Claire Cookman of Orwell, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ski was predeceased by his brother and former business partner, Michael Cote. Consistent with the ethic instilled in him by his family (his father, in particular), Ski positively impacted our community in a variety of ways and the many buildings he constructed stand as monuments symbolizing his success in this regard. One of those buildings is the New Pavilion at the Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington. Ironically, this is not only the final building project he worked on, but also the location of his death. While his passing leaves a void in our hearts, the generosity of his own heart will fill that empty space so he will always be with us. He contributed a lot of laughter and love to his friends and family. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him as a father, friend or co-worker. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel. A memorial service will be held on Friday May 21, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel with the Reverend Joe Moore officiating. Inurnment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in Ski’s memory may be made to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057 or visiting www.semperfifund.org. Arrangements are by John D. Workman, A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel 57 Main Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452. The family invites you to share your memories and online condolences by visiting www.awrichfuneralhomes.com