(September 13, 1917-July 19, 2004)

NORTH LAWRENCE--John R. Cotey, 86, Port Richey, Fla., formerly of North Lawrence, died Monday in Bear Creek Nursing Center, Hudson, Fla.

Mr. Cotey was a carrier for the Watertown Daily Times from 1927 to 1934 on the west end of Norwood, winning carrier contests for trips to New York City and Syracuse. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, was employed by Carl’s Auto, Watertown, and owned and operated Cotey’s General Store until his retirement.

Born Sept. 13, 1917, in Malone, son of Ord and Hazel Riggs Cotey, he married Lena McCuen.

He was a member of the American Legion post in Hudson, Fla., the Norwood Brass Firemen and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge in Florida.

Surviving besides his wife are a son, William, Syracuse; four daughters, Lynn Griffin, of Florence, Ore., Judith Mower, Syracuse, Eva Sanchez, Tampa, Fla., and Beth Runkel, Fredonia; a brother, James, Norwood; a sister, Clara Colwell, Chesapeake, Va., eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m.; Saturday at Wellwood Funeral Home Hudson. Burial will be in Grace Memorial Gardens, Hudson

(From the Friday, July 23, 2004 edition of the Watertown Daily Times, page D7).