Anthony F. Cota 
was founder of the Cota Funeral Home in Somerville in 1932. 
A licensed funeral director at the age of 17, he ran the 
funeral home until his untimely death at the age of 54 in 1968.

Anthony R. Cota Sr. is a second generation funeral director. He has worked at the funeral home since 1959 and has been an owner since 1968. He was born in Somerville and graduated from St. John’s Prep School, attended Boston University, graduated from New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences, and attended Miami Dade County Community College. He is a licensed funeral director/embalmer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of Florida.

Anthony married Maria J. (Filosi) in 1966. They had two sons Anthony R. Cota Jr. and Philip J. Cota . Philip lives in Londonderry, NH with his wife Kellie and two daughters Shannon and Kayla. Anthony Jr. is survived by his children Anthony and Christina.

Anthony is the past president of the Somerville Lion’s Club, past president of the North Reading Businessman’s Association, member of the Reading/North Reading and Somerville Chambers of Commerce, member of the Wilmington Sons of Italy, past president of the Massachusetts Funeral Director’s Association, former policy board member of the National Funeral Director’s Association and former board of director member of the Massachusetts Funeral Director's Association

Anthony’s leisure time activities include golfing, gardening and vacationing in Florida.

Anthony R. Cota Jr. was a third generation funeral director. He had worked at the funeral homes since 1989 and became a licensed funeral director in 1990.  He was born in Somerville and graduated from Reading Memorial High School, Salem State College, and Mt. Ida College. He was a licensed funeral director/ embalmer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Anthony was a third-generation president of the Somerville Lion’s Club, board member of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce, Reading Knights of Columbus, Massachusetts Funeral Director’s Association, National Funeral Director’s Association, and active in St. Athanasius Church in Reading.

Anthony’s leisure activities included tennis, golf, and spending time with family-his son Anthony and daughter Christina.

Unfortunately, Anthony's brilliant career and gift to funeral service ended on March 12, 2006 at the age of 38. In his very short career in funeral service he touched many hearts. Those of us who loved and respected his work ethic, humanity, kind spirit and loving nature will miss him forever. 

Maria J. Cota was born in Somerville. She graduated from Somerville High School and the University of Massachusetts/Boston with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She taught in the Reading School System until 1987 when she became the office manager for the funeral home. 

Maria is past financial secretary for the Somerville Sons of Italy and is currently a member of the Wilmington Sons of Italy, and an active member of Saint Theresa’s Church in North Reading.

Maria’s leisure time activities include her grandchildren, golfing, walking, traveling, and cooking.

Philip J. Cota returned to our staff as the Funeral Home Operations and locations Manager in May 2006. Phil was born in Somerville and was raised in Reading and North Reading. He attended Reading Schools and New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences. Phil married Kellie (Gear) in 1992 and resides  in Londonderry, NH with their  two daughters Shannon and Kayla. Phil's leisure activities include golfing, spending time with friends and family, traveling and working in his yard.