Matthew A. Cota

BARRE - Matthew (Matt) Allen Cota, 56, of Barre passed away on his terms on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the UVM Medical Center.  Matt suffered through years of congestive heart failure and fought his final battle with his family by his side.

Born on July 6, 1968, in Middlebury, he was the son of Lary Miles Cota and Ruth Jane (Jennings) Cota. He attended Barre City Elementary Schools (Ward 5, North Barre and Spaulding Graded School) and Spaulding High School.

Matt spent a brief time living in Turner, Maine, working with his father at Leavitt Apple Orchard. He returned to Barre where he worked primarily in construction and concrete. He worked for Hutch Concrete, Rogers Brothers Construction, Rock of Ages Corporation and Mobile Sandblast.

On May 19, 1990, he married Kathleen Shepard. Together they had two children Katilyn Ann Cota and Devon Michael Cota. They built their home and raised their children in Barre Town. Matt and Kathy later divorced in 2011 but remained close until his final breath.

Matt was a hard worker. He referred to himself as a “Jack of All Trades, Master of None.”  In the Spring of 2009, he suffered a serious ankle injury, shattering his calcaneus which ultimately ended his construction career. Always willing to help, he was able to do odd jobs and keep his financial head above water until 2023.

Matt enjoyed simple things in life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. He loved tinkering in his garage rebuilding antique snow machines with his friends. He enjoyed nighttime snow machine rides with his friends but more importantly, he enjoyed stopping every mile to chat with them.

Survivors include his former spouse Kathy Cota, his daughter, Kaitlyn (Cota) Lary and her husband, Ryder Lary; his son Devon Cota and his wife, Ashley (Magoon) Cota; his four grandchildren Rayna Mae Lary, Owen Layke Lary, Madison Grace Cota and Peyton ‘P’ Sophia Cota; his brother Glen Cota and his wife, Suzanne Cota; his sister Michele (Cota) Wilcox; his nephew Andrew Cota and his nieces Alison (Cota) Farr, Grace Wilcox and Haley Wilcox as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his father Lary Cota, his mother Ruth Cota Weston and both paternal and maternal grandparents.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Mutuo, 20 Beckley Street, Barre. There are no calling hours.