The first time we were exposed to bass fishing was through our stepfather when Frank Cote was 10 years old in 1969. Our stepfather took all us 5 boys up to Sebring, Florida we stayed in a cabin around a beautiful lake our stepfather would get us up early in the morning and we would take a little boat with a motor on it and take us out to a spot that he knew from the past had bass, it was the best summer I remember with my brother Frank. He was hooked on fishing from that time on.
About a year later in Miami where we grew up we went fishing in a lake by Miami international airport Frank’s first bass he caught on his own, I remember him getting a bite and he just turned around and started running and he dragged that Bass across the grass across the gravel that sucker was dead for sure within a couple minutes since then Franco has perfected his fishing skills as everybody on the river knows.
Franco’s Celebration of Life will be on August 11, 2018 at Wekiva Falls Camp Ground near the Boat Ramp side from 11:00AM to 5:00PM.
Marie B. says
Dear Cote cousins and significant others,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss! We will remember him and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Cousin Laura (MacLean) Wacik says
Cousin Frank reached out to me last year since he could not make it to our family reunion. I had not seen him for decades. We had a some insightful & comical conversations. My sympathies to his family & my dear cousins.
Tracey McClure says
I met Franko at the river in 2005. He has pulled my kayak back in many a times. He never hesitated to say hello and give a big hug. Lots of shell island stories with Franko and friends. He will surely he mussed. The river will never be the same.
Mom Kathy says
You are very loved and will be very dearly missed on the river. You are a one-of-a-kind and not many people can live up to that name but you did. Miss you already . ❤️????
Steven Thatcher says
My prayers for Franko’s family and friends,sure will miss him ,Always heard him before ya seen him with that whistle and yawwww! He is a great man ,left such a huge mark on this earth and touched many hearts.
Jessica Briere (Cote) says
May he rest in peace. One with the river now, forever.
Monica Thompson says
You will forever be missed as there was only 1 Franko! You have touched so many lives I will never forget our last visit just wish I could have made it back by before you left us. My sympathies go out to your family as I know you were loved.
I’ll think of you when I catch my next bass hopefully it will be the biggest yet ❤️
cheri says
Damn what to say. You will always live on in my heart. I will always think of you and miss you.
We take for granted the time we have with people. I never expected you to leave us. You are
a legend. I miss you. I respect your. I will always have fondness in my heart when I think of you.
Crying my eyes out. We will always love and miss you. However, I know in my heart you are with us.
Jackie Coté (Niece) says
Uncle Frank I Will NEVER Forget All The Memories And All The Love You Always Showed Me And My Sisters & Brother…. You Told Me You Wanted To Be There When I Have Your Two Newest Great Nieces & Even Though You Won’t Be There In Flesh I Know You Will Be Right There Next To Me In Spirit Helping Me Get Through It All… You Were The Best Uncle I Could Have Ever Asked For & You Can Never Be Replaced…. You Left A Mark On Not Only Our Family But So Many Others Hearts That Can Never Be Filled Or Forgotten. You Were One Of A Kind With A Heart Of Gold And Your Memory Will Live Forever…. We Will Miss you Every Single Day Until We Meet Again….. I Love You So much & Am So Proud To Say You Were My Uncle…. Love You Always….. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Jackie & Your Great Nephew Yhanté
Gary Haverfield says
Brother, you were awsome. I’m really glad I got to meet you. You were an awesome roommate and we had good times together. You got to meet my family and take them down the river. Fay and I are going to miss you dearly. I love you brotha!
Holly Hornsby says
You weren’t brotha by blood but brothaaaaa by the river water ???? you treated me like family from the day I met you and I’ll never forget that! The sound of you saying yahhhhhh brothaaaa will forever be etched in my head! Somethings you just can’t forget lol! I’m thankful for the many times we’ve got to share with you on the river…
I hope your fish continues up there ???????? I hope the rivers are cleaner, fish are bigger and boats are faster!
Until we meet again brothaaa ????????????????????????????????????
Jim and Sabina says
A hole has been ripped out of the Wekiva River. Franco, “FISH TREMBLE AT THE SOUND OF MY NAME” Cote has left us, and life on the Wekiva will never be quite the same.
I first met Franco over 25 years ago at the boathouse by the old Swamp Lounge. Through various reincarnations, the restaurants and boathouse may have changed, but you could always count on Franco to be there. Whether helping a capsized tourist or lost city slicker in their overturned canoes or a local who’s motor was having problems, Franco was there. When hurricane felled trees were blocking the river and those same people and the businesses that relied on them needed help, he was there, chainsaw and rope in hand, pulling limbs when he could, sawing out the middle of a whole tree when he couldn’t. I and many others were proud to do our small part to help. Standing in cold chest deep water and loving it. Truth be told, Franco would have done it by himself, just to get down to the fishin!
And fish he did. I am convinced that God put Franco on this earth to partake of His beautiful bounty from the fresh cool waters of his home, the Wekiva River. There was nothing better on God’s green earth, than a freshly caught, battered and fried Franco bigmouthed bass. I would pit it against the finest chefs in Paris, and not find it wanting. He fed all of us many a time, and we were all the richer for it.
A friend to all, enemy to none, this is the Franco I knew and will always remember. God bless you brother, look down on us from time to time, and maybe tip us off to a good fishin spot now and then, God bless and keep you, may they always be biting in Heaven.
LInda says
Ditto to all above. Franko you are one of a kind! Can’t believe you left us but you left us for heaven. RIP Brothaa