History

The funeral home, known  as Anthony F. Cota Funeral Home, was established in Somerville, Massachusetts in 1932 by Anthony F. Cota. He began to service the funeral needs of the Italian and Greek population in the area. The site of this business was a small store front on Somerville Avenue since all wakes were held in the home of the deceased. The move to 197 Washington Street was made in 1943. The name changed to Anthony F. Cota & Son in 1963 when Anthony R. Cota Sr., son of Anthony F. Cota, became a licensed funeral director/embalmer.

When the founder, Anthony F. Cota, died, Anthony R. Cota Sr. took over as sole owner in 1968. In 1984 a large addition was made to the building. The Struzziero Funeral Home business was purchased and moved to the Washington Street location in November, 1989. The sole proprietorship became known as Anthony F. Cota & Son-Struzziero Funeral Home, Inc. in January 1990. In 1990 the funeral home was proud to include a third generation, Anthony R. Cota Jr., as a licensed funeral director/embalmer. A. Theodore Struzziero remained on staff until his death in 1995.

In June, 1995, The Cota Funeral Home opened in North Reading. This facility is servicing the needs of the next generation of family and friends that have relocated to the North Reading, Reading, Lynnfield, Wilmington, Stoneham, Middleton, and Andover areas. The Somerville funeral home continues to serve that community and the Metropolitan Boston area.

Three basic changes have occurred in the 74 years of growth of the funeral home: the number of families serviced each year has increased, the ethnic base has expanded to include all nationalities, and the area serviced has expanded outside the Somerville boundaries. Unfortunately, tragedy hit the funeral home when Anthony R. Cota Jr. died at the very young age of 38.

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