James Cote

James V. Cote, 73, passed away Thursday (October 29, 2026) at ARC in Bradley, Illinois. Jim was born July 15, 1953, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, the son of Vernon L. and Janet E. Cote, and was baptized at St. Teresa Church (October 11, 1953) in Kankakee.
Jim was confirmed, and graduated from St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Kankakee, and attended BBCHS, where he worked on the school newspaper, and was an Illinois State Scholar, earning scholarships to Roosevelt University of Arts and Sciences in Chicago, where he played on the tennis team, appeared in theatrical productions, and earned a B.A. degree in Economics in 1977.
Jim went on to work a lengthy and successful career at the Mercantile Exchange in Chicago. Jim was an avid Cubs fan, with season tickets front row center in the bleachers, and became a connoisseur of the best restaurants, diners and pubs in Chicago, with the Berghoff being a frequent favorite.
During this time he was also an Editor for the Bridge News, where he earned an award for Editorial Excellence. He also traveled extensively both for work and pleasure, often taking trips on the famed City of New Orleans from Chicago to that city, sometimes during
Mardi Gras. He also visited his mother’s homeland of Scotland several times.
After retiring from the Mercantile Exchange, Jim returned to the Kankakee area, where he enjoyed Saturday breakfasts at the Farmer’s Market, dropping by local bars to watch Cubs games with friends, and attending local concerts.
Jim’s interests included playing tennis, reading (especially science fiction), managing his stock investments and advising others about stock purchases, collecting baseball cards, watching cooking shows, movies, sports (especially baseball and tennis), and historical documentaries on TV. He would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and enjoyed talking at length on many subjects.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by a cousin, Heather Cargill and her husband Gordon, their daughters Lucy and Kate, two grandchildren Ada and Coen of Edinburgh, Scotland, and close friends Gail and Duane Ferrebee of Bourbonnais, Illinois.