Obituaries

December 9th, 2008

Maurice Michael “Mo” Cotton, 89 years old, passed away Thursday December 4, 2008 at home. He was born and raised in Mt. Holly NJ to the late Harry and Martha King Cotton, and was one of their 17 children.

After he completed his education he worked on the farm, and then went to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps. He enlisted in the US Army. He served stateside during WWII till 1944, where he was attached to the 106th Infantry Division and was sent to Europe where he was a cook and he participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the campaign ribbon with 2 stars for Rhineland Campaign, American Defense Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, and the Victory Medal. He was burned when a stove blew up and spent two months in an Army field hospital. He was a Tech 4 and received an honorable discharge.

After his discharge from the US Army, he moved to Chicago IL and worked for Sunbeam Corp. He then rejoined the US Army to be a medic and served stateside during the Korean War at Walter Reed Hospital and attained the rank of sergeant.

He worked for Breyers Ice Cream, FMC Corp and also at Bill’s Sunoco where he was a bookkeeper. He was a resident of Wilmington DE for the past 2.5 years previously residing in Linwood section of Lower Chichester.

He enjoyed golf, collecting coins and stamps, fishing, playing cards and bingo. He was a member of Immaculate Conception of Lourdes Church, Holy Saviour Catholic Church, where he was a Eucharistic Minister for 17 years, St. Mary Magdalen Church, and a member of The Knights of Columbus.
He also enjoyed fixing rosaries and making potholders and loved listening to Big Band Music. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and loved spending time with his family.

He was predeceased by his parents Harry and Martha Cotton and his wife Agnes Cotton in 1994. He is survived by his wife of 11 years Sally A. Cotton, nee Buckingham and children Grace-Marie Scargill (Tim) of Chadds Ford, Gail Ann DeVito (David) of Wilmington, Andrew Massarelli (Michele) of Felton, and Vincent Massarelli of Manhattan, 2 brothers Ernie Cotton and Jimmy Cotton of Mt. Holly, 1 sister Rose Rezzetti of Las Vegas, 10 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and many dear nieces, nephews and friends.

Family and friends are invited to his funeral Mass Thursday 10am, Immaculate Conception of Lourdes Church, 8th and Green St., Marcus Hook; viewing 8:30-9:30am Thursday at Joseph A. Ward Funeral Home. Inc.,1459 Market St., Linwood; burial Lawn Croft Cemetery.