Marshall A. Cotta, 88, of Little Compton, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at home with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Barbara S. (Cantrell) Cotta for 64 years.
Marshall was born in Stamford, CT son of the late William J. and Ludwina A. (Nowacki) Cotta and had lived in Darien, CT for most of his life. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He & his brothers Bill & Peter owned&operated Cotta Tree Experts which was started by their father, and he was also the Town Tree Warden in Darien for many years. Following retirement, Marshall & Barbara relocated to RI starting off in Tiverton, then to Little Compton where they have spent the last 16 years and where his family ties go back to his grandparents who lived there. He was a great family man, hosting countless family gatherings with Barbara for all holidays, birthdays, several weddings & any reason to have a party. Their retirement homes in RI were fondly called “Club Cotta” because all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren would come for their summer vacations. After family, he loved sports, his dogs, crossword puzzles, reading, Jeopardy, Hallmark movies and a good Manhattan. He never lost his witty sense of humor even up to his last day.
He will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Barbara, his children: Karen Charleston &her husband Andrew of Trumbull, CT, Holly Pierce &her husband Mark of Norwalk, CT, Amy Bligh &her wife Mary of Bedford, NH, Heather Cavett &her fiancé Patrick Francis of Little Compton & Jim Cotta & his wife Amy of College Grove, TN. Other survivors include his brother, Daniel Cotta & his wife, Pat, his brothers-in-law, Bill Cantrell & his wife, Meredith & Dick Cantrell, and sisters-in-law, Marty Cantrell & Eva Cotta, 14 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces &nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Bill& Peter Cotta & by his sisters-in-law, Helen Cotta & Jennifer Cantrell.
Services are private with a Celebration of Life to be held sometime next summer.
The family wishes to express their great appreciation to the Little Compton first responders who were always so kind & compassionate. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the LCFD, 60 Simmons Rd., Little Compton, RI 02837.