Philip William Cote

Philip William Cote, 84, of Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin, died September 11,2024 at his home following a short illness. He was the husband of Sandra (Morrow) Cote. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 12, 1940, the son of Philip A. Cote and Rose Marie Cote. He was educated in the Salem, MA schools and earned a Masters of Education degree at Antioch University in 1980. He was married on June 30,1963 at Immaculate Conception Church in Salem.

Philip’s first love was broadcasting and public speaking. He hosted radio shows over the years at stations in Lynn, Haverhill and Springfield, MA, and in Virginia and Europe.

He retired from Chrysler Credit Corporation after 25 years as a Vice President at offices in Massachusetts and Detroit. He created the first automotive industry’s lease program; Chrysler’s Gold Key Lease Program. He then was Vice President of Finance at JI Case Corporation, Racine and later was Senior Sales Consultant at American Bankers (Assurant Group) in Miami, Florida. Before permanently retiring, he was a substitute teacher in Racine, Burlington and Waterford schools.

A United States Army veteran, he served in military intelligence in Europe. Philip was actively involved in the Wisconsin American Legion. He was past Commander of Harvey R Hansen American Legion Post 310 in Racine; State Vice Commander from 2008-2009; and past Director of the American Legion Foundation, Inc, Portage. He was proud of the American Legion’s Americanism programs: The High School Oratorical Scholarship, where students developed the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, while gaining a deeper knowledge of Constitutional principles as they prepare to compete locally or nationally for scholarship assistance. In January, 2005 the first Junior High/Middle School Oratorical Pilot Program in Wisconsin was held at the Jerstad-Agerholm School in Racine. Philip also participated in the American Legion Student Visit to the Racine County/Sheriff’s Office.

Besides his wife “Sandy” of 61 years, he is survived by two daughters, Suzanne Croce of Ft. Myers, Florida and Cheryl Mladenovich (Andreas) of Oak Creek; four grandchildren, Julia Croce of Ft. Myers, Alexandra Stewart (Chris) of Burlington,WI, Rebecca Campos (Isaac) of Milwaukee and Paige Hanson (Jake) of New Berlin, WI; three great grandchildren, Chandler Croce (3) of Ft. Myers, Avery Stewart (23 mos.) and Ethan Stewart (7 weeks) of Burlington; and his sister-in-law, Stephanie McCord, of Rock Springs, WY. He was preceded in death by a daughter Faith, and his brother-in-law, Gregory Morrow.

A Memorial Mass celebrating Philip’s life will be held at 11:00 am, September 26, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for Visitation, on Thursday, 10:00 am until time of Mass at the church. Interment with Full Military Honors will be held at Green Lawn Cemetery in Salem at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Badger Boys State.