November 11, 1937 - December 5, 2024

Richard "Dick" M. Cotter passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the age of 87, surrounded by his family after a long illness.  He was a loving and devoted husband to Joan M. (Leclair) Cotter for 61 years and a caring father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and brother. 

He was born in New Bedford, MA to Joseph W. Cotter and Cecelia E. (Cowen) Cotter and was a graduate of New Bedford High School.  He then earned his Bachelor's degree from Bryant College.  After college, he went on to proudly serve with distinction in the U.S. Army and after being honorably discharged, he started his career in banking at the First National Bank of New Bedford.  He held various positions there and at other banks over four decades. Although he liked banking, he found true satisfaction teaching Macro and Micro Economics as an adjunct professor at Bristol Community College, for over twenty years.  Dick had a quiet zest for life, a dry sense of humor, and a passion for dessert.  He was a lifelong golfer and he thoroughly enjoyed sailing, watching his grandchildren grow, traveling with his wife, and reading books.  

Whenever you asked him for help, he was always the first to show up and the last to leave.  He never asked for anything in return, nor did he ever ask to be acknowledged for anything he ever did, he would just quietly go about the task at hand.  This might be something he'd ask us all to reflect on in our busy lives, and how we should undertake helping others in our community.

His life was not without difficulties, nor was it absent health problems.  However, he'll be most notably remembered for always staring down adversity and never giving up on anything or anyone.  He was loved and will be deeply missed by many, especially to all those over the years he had "given the day off!"

We'd like to thank all the various health care providers he has had over the years, that were instrumental in giving us valuable time with him that we may not have ever had without their involvement.  We'd also like to thank the local Council's on Aging and the various Alzheimer's and Dementia programs that helped us through his decline.  And lastly, if you know anyone who is a caretaker, please reach out to them, even if it's just to say "hello" we know they will greatly appreciate it.
 
His private Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, December 10th in Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church that honored his life, his faith and his service.  Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery.  Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.  For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.