Deceased: 2009-09-30
Diocese: DENVER
Seminary Graduation Year: 1954
John E. “Jack” Cotter A man of unwavering faith, who devoted his life to giving, answered his final call on September 30, 2009 with his family at his side. Jack was born on September 11, 1928 in Las Animas, Colorado. He grew up in Colorado during the Great Depression with his parents and six sisters. Despite economic challenges, Jack’s stories of his childhood depict an abundance of joyful spirit and family values, which he embraced his whole life. As a young man, Jack was called to serve the Catholic Church, and spent seven years in Rome obtaining his Doctorate in Vatican Theology. After serving the Archdiocese of Denver for 15 years, Jack married his partner for life, Jocelyn Johnson. Together, they embarked on another stage of his journey, as they were called to raise five extraordinary children in Tucson, Arizona. Jack received his Masters in Social Work at the University of Arizona. He worked for the Diocese of Tucson for over 25 years serving Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona in many capacities including CEO until his retirement in 1998. Upon his retirement, he continued to serve the Diocese and his parish, Most Holy Trinity, on a number of boards and committees. His life’s work centered around social justice and caring for the neediest among us. Jack was passionate about sports, watching his children, the Denver Broncos, and the UofA Wildcats compete. He instilled in his children his love of sport, fishing, the outdoors and gardening. He was a great storyteller with an incredible sense of humor – the life of any party. We will always remember Jack/Dad/Poppa for his devotion to God, family and community. His life encompassed the true meaning of fatherhood, both spiritually and naturally. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Jocelyn; his children, Kathleen (Thomas), Lisa (Doug), Kevin, Amy (Jose) and Colin (Jenny) and six grandchildren, Grace, Sean, Pierce, Brendan, Fin and Fiona. He is also survived by his sisters, Ethie and Betty and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Zita and his sisters, Eileen, Rosemary, Sr. Zita Marie and Dody. Visitation will take place on Friday, October 2, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and the Funeral will be at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2009, both services at Most Holy Trinity Parish on Speedway and Greasewood. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: The Jack Cotter Endowed Fund, CCS Foundation, 155 W. Helen St., Tucson, AZ 85701 or to The Cotter Family Endowed Financial Aid Fund, SalpointeCatholicHigh School, 1545 E. Copper St., Tucson, AZ85719.
