Former Pentucket Bank Chairman Edmund Cote Dies at Age 88; Banking Career Spanned 54 Years

File photograph. (Image licensed by Ingram Image.)

Edmund J. Cote.

The former chairman and president of Pentucket Bank, Edmund J. Cote Jr., died Sunday at age 88.

Cote, of Hampstead, N.H., and formerly of Salem, N.H., died peacefully, supported by his family, at High Pointe House in Haverhill. He was born in Lawrence, where he grew up and attended Lawrence Public Schools, graduating from Lawrence High, where he was class treasurer. He was a retired CEO and president of Pentucket Bank in Haverhill, and was also a former president of BayBank Merrimack Valley. His banking career spanned 54 years.

Cote was a leader in banking associations including president of the Bank Administration Institute and as a former director of the Mass Banker’s Association. He also was active in local community organizations including serving as president of the Bon Secours Men’s Guild and director of the Bon Secours Hospital. He was a longtime Rotarian in both the Lawrence and Haverhill Clubs and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 2019. He was a director of numerous local organizations including Haverhill YMCA, Greater Haverhill Foundation, Pentucket Bank, Men of Merrimack College, Nevins Home for the Aged, Lawrence Boys and Girls Club and Merrimack Valley Bank. He was extremely passionate about the George C. Wadleigh Foundation where he served as president for many years. During his presidency the Foundation’s mission was modified from supporting only aged indigent men to supporting all indigent individuals within the Greater Haverhill area. They also changed the investment strategy, helping grow the Foundation’s assets from $226,000 to more than $17 million after giving out another $16 million since 1982.

He was predeceased by his parents Edmund Cote and Dorothy (Hensel) Cote of Salem, N.H. and by his grandson, Spencer Cote. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marlene A. (Hewes) Cote of Hampstead, N.H.; children, Lynn Cavanaugh of Danville, N.H.; Scott Cote and his wife Debora of Windham, N.H., and Gregg Cote of Haverhill; sisters Joan Gallant of Barrington, N.H., and Barbara Truttling and her husband Alvin of Punta Gorda, Fla.; grandchildren, Jessica and her husband Kevin Beaudoin, Stacey and her husband Michael Donlon, Alyssa and her husband Kevin O’Hara, Heather Cote, Kaydra and her husband Kevin McNeil, Scott Cote Jr. and Hunter Cote; and 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation is private for the family at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, N.H. A private funeral mass takes place at St. Matthew Parish, 2 Searles Road, Windham, N.H., and burial follows at Lakeview Cemetery, Hampstead, N.H. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the High Pointe House, 360 North Ave., Haverhill, MA 01830 or Rotary Club of Haverhill, MA, P.O. Box 808 Haverhill, MA 01831.

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