Tuesday, November 16, 2004 Fernand M. X. Cote, 89 July 16, 1915 - Nov. 13, 2004 SOUTH PORTLAND - Fernand Marcel Xavier Cote, 89, passed peacefully Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004 with family and loving caregivers at the South Portland Nursing Home. Born to Regina Beaupre and Frank X. C. Cote, founder of Seal Rock Spring Beverage Company. (The Seal Rock Spring Water had been a source of flourishing water business since 1884.) Born in Biddeford on July 16, 1915, his parents moved to Saco in 1919 to the Bottling Company's founding location 368 Beach Street, later renamed Ferry Road. He received his Primary education at St. Joseph's School in Biddeford. His father in ill health withdrew Fernand at age 14 from Thornton Academy to run the business. When his father retired in 1941, F. M. X. became manager. In 1946 his brother Charles R. W. Cote joined as partner. The Company name changed to Seal Rock Orange-Crush Bottling Company in 1934. The two brothers built a new bottling plant in 1948, located on Old Orchard Road, re-piping the Spring Water to that location. An Open House was held April 26, 1949. The newly formed Seal Rock Vending Company installed a line of vending machines in the early 1950s expanding business operations to complete canteen service. Bottler and distributor, not only of their own brand of carbonated beverages, Seal Rock Spring, the company also held franchises for Orange-Crush, Moxie, Dr. Pepper, Honey Maid Root Beer and Lemmy. Wanting to provide year round employment for the bottling employees, a school bus contract was secured. This service provided for shore side transportation needs for the City of Saco for decades. Fern believed in the inherent concept of bottling with Certified Pure Spring Water. As an individual consumer and as a Bottler, Fern could not reconcile entering the competitive marketplace of disposable aluminum cans. He retired upon the business being sold in 1977. Involvement in community service spans the duration of his work life: A serious flood in the mid -1930s drove people from their homes on streets lining the Saco River, posing a health threat of contaminated drinking water. Spring Water was supplied in bottles and carboys to homes, schools and industries. Spring water was also supplied to the firefighters during the great fire of 1947 as well as firefighters transportation. Fern was past president of the Maine State Bottlers and Carbonated Beverages Association, past president and director of Saco-Biddeford Kiwanis Club, a past director and former chairman of the Bisco District Boy Scouts of America, chairman of the Saco Centennial Celebration (1867-1967), past president of the Biddeford-Saco Community Chest, past Saco chairman of Transportation for Civil Defense, past member of the Biddeford-Saco Country Club, past member of Biddeford-Saco Chapter, York County Fish and Game Association, past president of The Associates, a lay-Advisory Board of St. Francis College (UNE), past member of Board of Directors at Webber Hospital Association (SMMC), an Honorary Life Member of BPO Elks #1597, past Exalted Ruler and serving as Lodge Secretary for 23 years. He was a communicant of Notre Dame De Lourdes Church since the parish founding. He married the former Rose-Helene Salvas on Dec. 26, 1934, at St. Joseph's Church in Biddeford. They resided on Ferry Road, Saco, for 63 years. They then moved to Wardwell Gardens, Saco, for the remainder of their years together. Preceding him in death was his wife of 68 years on Sept. 11, 2003; his older brother Conrad O. E. Cote in 1994; younger brother Charles R. W. Cote in 2004; and a son in law, Storer E. Eager in 1999. Surviving are his six children, Richard C. Cote and wife Monique of Londonderry, N.H., Claudette C. Villandry and husband Philip J. of Cape Elizabeth, Dianne C. Eager of Biddeford, Vivian A. Newton and husband Basil of Bangor, Claire Y. McTiernan and husband Francis of Portland, and Celeste M. Chabot and husband Robert of Biddeford; and 11 grandchildren, Karen, Kristie, Renee, Margo, Beth, Phillip, Shawn, James, William, Sarah and Jillian. A memorial ritualistic service will be conducted at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, from Cote Funeral Home, corner of Beach and James Streets, Saco, by the officers and members of the Biddeford & Saco Lodge of Elks. A memorial Mass to follow will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church in Saco. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, keep in mind his commitment to community needs through memorial donations to the Wardwell Gardens or the South Portland Nursing Home or another of your choosing in honoring him. Fernand M. X. Cote