James J. Cote

James J. Cote age 89 of Galesville, WI passed away on Monday April 24, 2006 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI.

He was born in Houghton, Michigan on June 10, 1916 to Alphonse and Gertrude (Ongie) Cote and attended St. Ignatius School. The family moved to Baraga at his early age and he entered Baraga School and graduated with the class of 1934. He graduated from Michigan Tech and began working in road construction. His first job was with Thornton Construction of Houghton, and then he was Secretary of Mathy Construction of LaCrosse, WI for several hears. He then planned and supervised the construction of the LaCrosse International Airport and Camp McCoy (now Ft. McCoy). He also constructed the original Air Park at Holman, Wisconsin. He was a licensed pilot and was the recipient of the First Aviation Award. He was President of the Wisconsin Bituminous Paving Association.

He was married to the former Olive Gibbs of Houghton who preceded him in death in 1975. His parents Alphonse and Gertrude Cote also preceded him in death.

He is survived by his sisters Helen Cote and Catherine (Onnie) Koskinen of Baraga as well as nieces, Mary Kay (Tom) Clisch and Peggy (Gibbs) Niemela and nephews Jim (Cele) Koskinen, Michael (Blanche) Koskinen, Pat (Mary) Koskinen, Bob (Sally) Koskinen. Great nieces and nephews, Sue Skytta, Shellie Usitalo, TJ Clisch, Stacey Clisch, Jimmer Koskinen, Julie Ruotsala, John, Mike, Craig, Kim, Jason, Carey, Mark, Scott, and Gary Koskinen and 22 great-great nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 28, at 10:00 am at St. Ann's Church in Baraga. Fr. George Maki will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Internment will be in the Baraga Cemetery.

Memorial in lieu of other expressions of sympathy may be made in Jim's name to the Skilled Nursing Unit of Baraga county Memorial Hospital.

The Jacobson Funeral Home in L'Anse is assisting the family.