Obituary of Clair Joseph Cote

July 20, 1934 – Calgary, Alberta

July 16, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sorrow – but also with joy for knowing him – that the family of Clair Joseph Cote shares his passing on Sunday, July 16, 2023, 4 days short of his 89th birthday. During his final days, Clair was surrounded by his wife and family who adored him and had his last “noisy Cote goodbye”.

Clair’s life was one that had “no regrets” according to his wife of 67 years, Kathryn (Kay) Cote (nee Doucette). When Clair was recently asked what he dreamed he could be, he answered, “I would be just what I was”.

Clair was born in Calgary, Alberta on July 20, 1934, the “baby” of a family of five: twin sisters Myleen and Pat, a brother George who passed at age eight, and a sister Diana. Clair’s school years were spent getting through the learning, but embracing every social aspect of school. As part of Calgary’s St. Mary’s high school football team, he made friends that he stayed in touch with all his life. Well into his 80s, Clair loved to prove he could still don his football jacket, doing up (most of) the zipper and giving his kids fits with his goofy “burly stance”.

High school is also where he met the love of his life, Kay, on a blind date that lasted 67 years. They spent their life as “the together couple”, enjoying joyful years of marriage in each other’s pockets, cooking many French and Italian meals together, raising their family of four children, and enjoying a variety of activities (golf, curling, dinner club, reading, running after grandkids) during their long retirement in their Canmore Mountain home. While working, Clair came home for lunch almost every day, enjoying Kay’s sandwiches and soup (which he drank from a cup!). Despite Sundays being an important open house day for realtors, Clair always took Sundays off to be with his family to enjoy a picnic, hike, ski or Sunday drive.

Clair went to work in the real estate business in 1954 shortly after high school, working for his father, Clair Cote Sr., a prominent Calgary realtor. This was to be a temporary job while Clair waited for a place at university, but he enjoyed the work so much that he joined his dad’s firm, and later started his own company (with partners) in 1964 after his father passed (P.J. Toole & Cote Real Estate). He often reminisced about the people he met throughout his career – colleagues and homebuyers alike – and placed such an emphasis on the importance of home in his own life, that he could think of nothing nobler than to help others find their perfect home.

Dad was a joker, a teaser, and a man who always had a ready laugh. He was constant in his love for his wife and family (all the way down to his great-grandchildren) and loved to attend (or throw) a party and bust a move on the dance floor. He played drums in a band, passed along his love of jazz to all his children, could swing a golf club admirably, loved to travel (especially to Carmel, California), and was a very decent skier and enthusiastic hiker. He was never happier than when he was sitting on his back deck in Canmore, Alberta (diet Pepsi, Oreos or Hawkins Cheezies nearby) watching the sun set over the Three Sisters Mountains, and he never lost his sense of wonder at being visited by a curious bird, deer or squirrel. 

Clair is survived by his beloved wife Kay, four children, Pat (Chris), Bob (Cindy), Linda (Kieran) and Jim; blessed by grandchildren, Michelle, Leland (Kalyen), Jeff (Tiasha), Liam, Danielle, Kim, Sarah, Jaina, Simon and Rhiannon; and “double-blessed” by great-grandchildren, Mira and Sydney. He is also survived by his sister Diana (Pete) and a multitude of beloved nieces and nephews. We will all miss him so much and will hold him in our hearts thanks to the remarkable times and memories he left us with.

We are grateful for the help of easing Clair into his next “perfect home” through the kind and gentle care of the nurses and staff at Walden AgeCare in Calgary during Clair’s final days, plus the years of care provided in Canmore by Dr. Emma Morin and the team at Ridgeview Clinic.

In lieu of flowers Clair would want you to hug your loved ones, dance, play music and spread more joy in the world.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1307 – 14th Street S.W, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery (Erlton St. & 31 Ave SW, Calgary, AB). Reception to follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Clair Cote, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.