Gilford-----William Marcus Cott, Sr., 97, of Dockham Shore Road, died on Monday, May 13, 2019 at Forest View Manor, Meredith.
Bill was born on February 15, 1922 in Gorham, Maine the son of John and Lois (Parker)Cunningham. He graduated from Scarborough, Maine High School in 1940. Bill enlisted in the United States Army in 1942. He served in the South Pacific and was discharged in 1946 as First Sergeant. He remained in the Army Reserve for twenty seven years and retired as Captain.
Bill worked for New England Telephone for thirty six years retiring as a district manager.
Interest in small business led him to organize and operate, Cott's used cars, Portland Maine, Bright Horizon and Sun Deck Cottages , Gilford, C&P Leasing, Inc. and Sands Motel, Florida. Bill held a master electricians license and real estate broker's License in NH. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis in Nashua and the Elks and the American Legion for Life.
Bill is survived by his sons, Bill Cott and his wife, Judy, of Gilford and Rick Cott and his wife, Pam, of Weirs Beach; a daughter, Debbie Southworth and her husband, Michael, of Gilford; five grandchildren, Stephen Cott, of Laconia and Meghan Cott, of Portsmouth, James Cott and his wife, Marnie, of Georgia, Ryan Southworth and his wife, Joy, of Gilford, Christopher Cott and his wife, Elizabeth, of Georgia and Erich Cott and his wife, Nadine, of Maryland; eight grandchildren, Cali Cott, Jami Cott, Vogan Cott, Cadence Cott, Grace Southworth, Thomas Southworth, Troy Cott and Ryker Cott; a niece, Jeanne Shaw and her husband, Steve, of Maine and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he is predeceased by his wife, June (Petersen) Cott, granddaughter, Erin Southworth, brother, Robert Cott, sisters, Caroline Allen and Joan Polonchek and by his brothers-in-law, Al Allen and John Polonchek.
A Calling Hour will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH using the Carriage House entrance.
A Memorial Service will follow the calling hour at 3:00pm also at the Funeral Home.
Burial will be held at a later date at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH.
For those who wish the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to Forest View Manor - Activities Fund, 153 Parade Road, Meredith NH 03253.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.