 1922 - 2017 (95 years)
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| Name |
Murray Adrian Cotter |
| Born |
15 Oct 1922 |
Windsor, Ontario, Canada  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
28 Oct 2017 |
| Person ID |
I5428 |
Family Tree |
| Last Modified |
11 Oct 2023 |
| Father |
Adrian George Cotter, b. 13 Apr 1897, Windsor, Ontario, Canada , d. 3 Dec 1976, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA (Age 79 years) |
| Mother |
Ann Victoria Murray, b. 1 Sep 1897, Windsor, Ontario, Canada , d. 10 Aug 1982, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA (Age 84 years) |
| Married |
22 Sep 1920 |
Windsor, Ontario, Canada |
| Family ID |
F16726 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family |
Ruth H. Wengel, b. 15 Jul 1922, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Deutschland , d. 15 Jun 2013, Beverly Hills, Michigan, USA (Age 90 years) |
| Married |
1943 |
| Children |
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| Last Modified |
11 Oct 2023 |
| Family ID |
F16727 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Notes |
- Murray was proud to be the first born to Irish parents Adrian G. Cotter and Ann Victoria Murray of Windsor, Ontario. His dad was a golf and country club manager in Ontario until 1927, when the family moved to Michigan and he managed the Clinton Valley Golf & Country Club.
He attended Catholic schools, including St. Lawrence, De Lasalle High School and the University of Detroit. In 1942, his first year at U of D, he met Ruth Wengel, fell in love and was married. After 70 years of marriage, he lost his beloved wife in 2013.
In late 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, was commissioned in 1944 and flew as bombardier in B-24?s in the pacific until the war ended in 1945. He returned to Detroit to an infant son Murray Michael and was drafted by his father to operate the family business, Adrian Cotter?s Tavern (est. 1937), at 12 Mile and Woodward Avenue for more than 25 years.
In 1948, he and Ruth welcomed twin daughters Leslie Jane and Lindsay Ann. In 1953 son Peter Christian arrived, and in 1962, their last daughter Paula Lynn (Polly) was born. All five children were Our Lady Queen of Martyrs graduates. The Cotters were founding members of the parish. Murray was most active in the church as an usher and lector which he did so through his 90th birthday. (In 1950, Murray built the family home on Locherbie near the parish and resided there until recent months.)
Over the years, Murray and family spent many happy days skiing in Northern Michigan. Summers found them ever present cruising Michigan ?s waterways. Best memories of the years were at the Detroit Yacht Club with family friends, the Thomas? and Brockman?s. Their time together, including their three week voyages to Northern Michigan, was legendary. A craftsman at heart, he used his wood working skills to repair and renovate projects for family and friends throughout his retirement.
In the early 2000?s, he co-founded the Flyboys, WWII Vets who meet twice monthly. In 2017, he was given the Victory Award by the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial Group, a charity that the family has and will continue to support. For many years, he attended bomb group reunions with his sons at many of the nation?s WWII memorial sites.
A wonderful husband, dad, and grandpa, he was passionate about his family, his Catholic faith, his Irish heritage, his many trips to Ireland and life. He was truly fortunate to have chosen happiness his entire 95 years.
He is survived by his five children Michael (Rosemary), Leslie Baker (James), Lindsay, Peter (Anelyse) and Polly Davidson (Stephen). Grandchildren Murray A. II (Julie) and John M. Cotter, Victoria Lehman (Michael), Abigail Cotter, Katherine Asadi(Ali), Joseph Baker (Allison), Robert and Elizabeth Davidson. Great grandchildren Hadley and Emma Ruth Lehman.
Family will receive friends Monday 3-7 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward (btwn 13-14 Mile), Royal Oak.
Funeral Mass Tuesday 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, 32340 Pierce, Beverly Hills. Visitation at church begins at 9:30a.m.
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