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I first met Joe Cote yearling year, when we were both transferred into Company E-1 from other companies. This was necessary as our class had suffered a high attrition rate and “fillers” were necessary. Joe and I became fast friends and roomed together First Class year. Joe had little difficulty with academics, so that left him ample time to talk with Anita, his OAO, on the phone that we were most fortunately authorized—although I am not sure Joe’s use of the phone was completely authorized.</p>
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<em>Joseph Robert Cote</em> was born to Evelyn Mae (McIntire) and Joseph N. Cote and raised in Dover, NH. Joe’s father wanted to name his first son after him, but his name was Napoleon, and he was known as “Poly” to everyone. Joe’s mother was not too enthusiastic about naming her son Napoleon and certainly did not want him to be known as Poly for the rest of his life. When further research revealed that his father’s real name was Joseph Napoleon Cote, their son became Joseph Robert. Joe attended high school in Dover and then attended St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH. He joined the National Guard on his 17th birthday and transferred to the Army Reserve when he entered St. Anselm. Joe received his appointment to West Point through the Reserves and walked through the sally port of Central Barracks in July 1956 to join the Class of 1960.</p>
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Even though Joe started yearling year as a newcomer in Company E-1, he rapidly gained a reputation as a friendly, focused individual with social skills that enabled him to easily fit in with his new company mates. As Joe came to West Point from New Hampshire, his accent was that of a New Englander, and he was often accused of talking out of the “side of his mouth.” His answer to that was that we were the funny talkers, definitely not him. Joe’s one and only was Anita Dumais, whom he started dating when they were 14 years old. Anita came to West Point on a regular basis to visit Joe, so I seldom saw him on weekends. It was clear to me that they were a perfect match.</p>
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Joe branched Armor, and Anita and he were married ten days after graduation. Their first assignment was to Ft. Lewis, WA. Midway through Joe’s second year at Ft. Lewis, he applied to branch transfer to Ordnance. He kidded that he was growing tired of using Jeeps to simulate tanks during field training.</p>
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Joe’s first overseas assignment was Toul Army Depot, France, as a company commander. Other than the diversified mission of the company, the greatest challenges were the primitive living conditions facing his troops. For instance, his troops and their families lived in apartment buildings that had only one non-flush toilet located between floors. Joe despaired much over this. On the bright side, however, was the birth of their son Michael.</p>
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Joe attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA, to study Nuclear Physics. This demanding course of study required Joe and his classmates to support each other in the cumulative effort to push all successfully through the academic requirements. To this end, Joe was successful, and, as an added bonus, daughter Annemarie was added to the family.</p>
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Joe commanded the 70th Ordnance Battalion at Ft. Bliss and from there was assigned as an Army attaché in London. This tour was cut short by attendance at the War College, followed by an assignment with the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics at the Pentagon and then the Ordnance Missile & Munitions Center & School, where he was the brigade commander. He then replaced the Commandant when that person retired and was again in a position that he loved – working with the mayor of Huntsville and dealing with troops and their many issues, a people person in a people environment that was a perfect fit. Joe’s last assignment was as Project Manager for Cannon Artillery Weapons System at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. In addition to his primary responsibilities, he became instrumental in the NATO aspects of this program and was elected as the NATO Chairman.</p>
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Retiring from the Army, Anita and Joe moved to Cumberland, MD, to work on the Hercules program. After a short time there, they moved back to Picatinny to work for a civilian contractor, ironically for the same personnel that had previously worked for Joe. After 14 years there, Joe retired for the last time.</p>
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Joe and Anita loved traveling and visited Turkey, Egypt, Russia, Morocco, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Albania, Slovenia, Greece, France, England, and Italy in their excursions! One wonders when they had time to do anything else. But Joe did focus on something else—something that had always been a major focal point of his life—his religion. He began the process of becoming a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church, which required four and one-half years of intense study. He was ordained for the Diocese of Paterson in 2003 and was then in his element: preaching at Sunday mass, baptizing babies, and conducting wake services.</p>
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Joe suffered a stroke the day after Anita’s and his 48th wedding anniversary and another stroke seven weeks later, however, he was able to participate in their 50th anniversary celebration, although he had to use a walker. There was a country club reception, and Joe spoke words that Anita had written for him. In a remembrance written by daughter Annemarie, she described her father as enthusiastic, achieving, intellectual, martini-mixing, joking, music-loving, and talkative. To this I would add—a great soldier and a good friend.</p>
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Joe is survived by his loving wife Anita, son Michael, daughter Annemarie, brother Don, and four grandchildren. Well done, Joe, and thanks for being you.</p>
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<em>–Bill Harnagel</em></p>
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