Donald A. Cotnoir (Don)

Donald A. Cotnoir (Don), age 85, of Bluffton, SC and formerly of Enfield and Suffield, CT has ascended to heaven and everlasting life this Sunday, January 14, 2018 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Don passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. He is now reunited with his sister, Janet Pearson, brother-in-law Wright Pearson, and sister-in-law Beverly Cotnoir who predeceased him on January 13, 2017, March 31, 2002, and December 16, 2014 respectively. Don was born on April 7, 1932 in Northampton, MA, the son of the late Arthur and Rose Alma (Robitaille) Cotnoir. He was a graduate of American International College where he earned a degree in mathematics. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving with the JAG Corps while stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Following his military tenure, he began his career in information technology working at the Research Laboratories of United Technologies Corporation. He later worked with Combustion Engineering, St. Francis Hospital, and ultimately the State of Connecticut-Department of Mental Health where he retired. While living in Enfield he was instrumental in starting the Hazardville Little League baseball program where he coached and served as president. He also founded and for 15 years oversaw the Enfield Park and Recreation community basketball program at JFK where thousands of children learned, practiced, and played the game of basketball. In addition, He taught information technology at Asnuntuck Community College. Don was a loyal supporter and member of the Democratic Party who was very active in local and State politics. While living in Bluffton he was a member of the Sun City Veterans where he served as a Past Commander. He was also a member of the Sun City Computer Club where he coordinated the refurbishing and donation of over 500 computers from the Sun City residents. Don personally delivered the computers to children and people in need in the Hardeeville, Bluffton, and the Hilton Head areas. He taught math and English as a second language at Hardeeville Elementary and Middle Schools. Outside of work and civic involvement, he was an avid reader, music lover, golfer, and enjoyed watching the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. Don served as a Eucharistic Minister and a devoted religious studies educator for over 35 years volunteering his time to bring the word of God in support of his beloved church to thousands of children and hundreds of people in need. Don loved watching and listening to the birds, admiring his beautiful plants and flowers, and enjoying the company of his family and friends. Admiring God’s beauty of nature and watching the beautiful daily sunsets from his porch, brought great joy to Don every day. Don is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara C. Cotnoir; sons, Gary Cotnoir (Aline), Stephen Cotnoir (Ellen), Timothy Cotnoir (Kathleen), and Michael Cotnoir (Julie); daughter, Christine Kupchunos (Jim); brother, Norman Cotnoir; sister, Rita LaPrade (Larry); grandchildren, Joseph (Christine), Jeffrey (Margaret), Preston, Victoria, Matthew, Daniel, Patrick, Haley, Ashley, and Katie; and great-grandchildren, Daniel, Ryder, Ana, and Sebastian. In Don’s own words, his greatest accomplishment in this life was the beautiful marriage to his beloved wife, the birth of his 5 children, and the pride he felt in following their accomplishments as his loving family grew and succeeded. Mr. Cotnoir felt extremely blessed and fortunate for this gift from God. He will eternally love all of his family and friends who were part of his life. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 located at 31 St. Gregory Drive, Bluffton, SC 29909. On behalf of the Cotnoir family, we would like to thank all of Don’s friends and family, near and far, who have been a big part of Don’s life and have been there with Don to share in the good times and the bad. Don appreciated your support and friendship very much. He has always enjoyed his conversations with you and relished the opportunities to spend time together. We would also like to express our deepest and most sincere gratitude and appreciation to the wonderful staff and administration of NHC Healthcare in Bluffton, SC. It was your tireless efforts for several months that helped Don regain his strength, positive attitude, and will power to continue his fight and return to the peace and comfort of his home. Your assistance is to be recognized, and was most certainly not lost on our family. In addition, our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the medical (Dr., RN, CNA) team and team of hospice volunteers of Hospice Care of the Low Country. Your gentle and caring efforts not only helped the family, but it brought great comfort to Don in his final days. Lastly, to the many veterans of the Sun City Veterans Association, your special friendship, commitment to community service, and patriotism associated with your service to our country, was greatly admired, respected, and appreciated by Don. He valued it so much, and he salutes you one last time. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Hospice Care of the Low Country, Post Office Box 3827, Bluffton, SC 29910. See: www.hospicecarelc.org Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton is assisting the family. www.saulsfh.com