August 7, 1963 - March 27, 2020
Today I announce the passing of my husband, Vernon Arnold Cota on March 27, 2020 from Kidney Cancer. A much loved husband, son, brother, father and grandfather, he is survived by our sons: 'The Cota Boys' and their families.
These people are his gifts to this world.
How he loved his sons! It gave him peace, as he was passing, to look into their faces and see a little of himself in each of them ... he will live on through them. Now we step forward with a new generation of 'Cota Cousins'. Our parents, brothers, sister and their families, so many beautiful Aunties, Uncles and Cousins: Cota, Stefiuk, Hascarl, Morin, Fortier, Garand, Enright and Miller's mourn, as does anyone who has been fortunate to have known him.
He was born in Fort St John, BC on August 7th 1963, the start of a lifetime of love for Hudsons Hope and the Peace River District.
Raised free in the farming community of Falher Alberta, it was this lifestyle that eventually led him to Commercial Fishing on Vancouver Island. Most of his schooling was in Hudsons Hope but he graduated out of Ferni High, making many lifetime friends there. We met in Revelstoke and spent our first few years together running to hockey games in the winter and enjoying the sun on the ball fields in the summer.
Vern loved sports and people; especially the old and the young they came first. Always kind, he would say: "we are only as strong as the weakest link".
A born leader, protector and teacher, he became the captain of many of the sports teams he enjoyed. Inspired by amazing coaches, he too knew the joy of coaching and mentoring young humans. He would always lead with humour: 'This has to be the ugliest group of kids I have ever coached,' was his opening line in the dressing rooms. He finished his life as a tradesman, having earned his Journeyman Certification while working at Quintette Coal in Tumbler Ridge. He was proud to represent the electrical trade and achieved the status of 'Master Electrician'.
This man lived and breathed kindness and was always looking to make you laugh or hold you while he cried with you.
We will be celebrating his life in Parksville, on August 7th, 2020 - his birthday. Join us on line for a calmer family style celebration during the day or close out the evening with the roaring celebration at night, we will broadcast live. He will not be forgotten, we will tell his story, again and again.
Sending you our love and support as you receive this announcement.
Please join us in a private Face book Messenger group-Messages for Vern, just ask, you will be let in.