Gerard 'Jerry' I. Cotnoir

April 1, 1931 - Sept. 25, 2008

HOLBROOK -- Gerard "Jerry" I. Cotnoir, 77 formerly of Holbrook, died Thursday (Sept. 25, 2008) at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

He was born in Lowell, Vt., on April 1, 1931, to Antoine H. and Rose (Girouard) Cotnoir. He attended and graduated Salutatorian of the Newport Center High School in 1949. He continued his education receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Vermont at Burlington in 1953.

He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was commissioned as a 1st Lt. He was stationed at Topeka, Kan., at Forbes Air Force Base during training.

He married Dona Fitzpatrick on Aug. 5, 1954. She preceded him in death in 1983. He was later stationed in Morocco until his discharge in 1955. After his discharge, the family moved to Wyoming where he taught at Pavillion Schools.

During the summers he started taking classes for his master and later his Specialty Degree from the University of Wyoming. The family moved back to Kansas where he taught in Fairview, Schoenchen and Westmoreland, Kan.

In 1967, the family moved to Holbrook where he was Superintendent for 25 years. During his tenure as a teacher, he taught french, math and was a principle and guidance counselor. He retired from teaching in 1992, when the Holbrook School consolidated with Arapahoe Schools.

He remained in his home until a year ago when he moved to McCook to live with his daughter.

He was a member of the Burton's Bend VFW, Holbrook Lions Club, United Methodist Church and the Furnas County Retired Teachers.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dona; brother, Pierre "Roger" Cotnoir; and two sisters, Lorraine Owens and Rita Corron.

Survivors include his daughter Janice Cotnoir and husband, Mike Harmon of McCook; son, Larry Cotnoir of Broken Bow; Andrea Cotnoir of Lincoln; brother, Ray and wife, Sybil of Allen, Texas; sister, Lillian Doyle of Amarillo, Texas; and one granddaughter.

A celebration of life will be at the Arapahoe First United Methodist Church on Monday at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Mike Flurry officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be mailed to Lockenour-Jones Mortuary, POB 247 ,Cambridge, NE 69022 in his name.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary of Cambridge is in charge of arrangements.