James A. Cottle, 87, affectionately known as”GPC,” beloved husband of the late Ellen (O’Leary) Cottle, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 7, 2022, at UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus. Born in Ardmore, OK, he was a son of the late Stanley and Bessie (Magum) Cottle.

After graduating high school in Tulare, CA in 1953, James enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country for 28 years in divisions such as the 82nd Airborne and various Special Forces units. Awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a “V” Device for valor, he served in Vietnam with distinction. He also earned an Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster) and a Presidential Unit Citation. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1979 from Central New England College of Technology. After his honorable discharge and military retirement in 1982, James earned his MBA at Anna Maria College in 1985. He then enjoyed a long career with Allegro MicroSystems, retiring after 24 years.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed music from country to rock and roll. He was quite the movie aficionado-the old westerns were his favorites. James was also a voracious reader. His home is a media library filled with his collections of albums, books and films. In his spare time, he tended his beautiful flowerbeds and lawn. James was a tremendous sports fan of both men’s and women’s teams. He most enjoyed cheering at the sidelines or from afar for his children and grandchildren. Many will sorely miss his quick wit and country aphorisms. He was a patriot, a man who feared nothing including hard work and loved his family deeply.

He will be missed by his daughters Susan Cottle Madden and her husband, Gregory of Silver Spring, MD and Maureen Graffum and her husband, David of Ludlow, and by his son, James Michael Cottle and his wife, Jennifer of Leewood, KS. He is also survived by his two brothers, David and Lesley Cottle and his two sisters, June Yearout and Judy Heaney, all of CA and his eight grandchildren, Lucas Graffum and his partner, Demi Chick; Taylor Graffum; Kara, Kerry and James Madden; Nadine, Samuel James and Clare Cottle; and his great-grandsons, Nicki and Declan. In addition to his parents and his wife of 41 years, Ellen, his brothers, Alfred and Stanley and sisters, Margaret McAdams and Charlotte Goble, predeceased him.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 17 in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Brief remembrances will follow at 7 to 7:30 in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 18 at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richard’s Avenue, Paxton. Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or to the James Cottle Memorial Scholarship Fund at Anna Maria College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 50 Sunset Lane, Box K, Paxton, MA 01612.