Lawrence “Pete” DeCota, 90, of Sherburne, died peacefully Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at Rutland Regional Medical Center, surrounded by family members. He was born in Randolph, Mass., on Jan. 17, 1934, the son of the late Louis and Eva (Savard) DeCota.
Lawrence attended Randolph High School. Lawrence married Dorothy Alice (Barkhouse) on Apr. 9, 1955, in St. Bernadette’s Church in Randolph.
For many years, he worked as a carpenter before becoming a custom home builder in the South Shore area of Boston.
He enjoyed riding his motorcycles through the hills of Vermont and Northern New England and was an avid skier.
He was a member of and past president of the Randolph Lions Club and member of the Randolph Elks Club. After building his ski home in Killington, he relocated there in the early 1970s. He was a volunteer member of the Killington Ski Patrol and later became a full-time senior patroller. He was a National Ski Patrol member and a certified instructor for first aid and CPR. He later volunteered for the Otter Ski Patrol at Pico Ski Area. He was a longtime member and past Sherburne Volunteer Fire Dept. president. With his construction background, he created and drew blueprints and was instrumental in the addition to the original Oren W. Bates Fire Station in Killington. He had a passion for riding motorcycles with his wife Dotty and was a past officer and longtime member of the BMWMOV.
Survivors include his wife Dorothy; sons David (Dorothy) DeCota of Bernardsville, New Jersey, and Mark DeCota (Pamela Proulx) of Killington; daughters Kathy (Jim) Kinneavy of Somersworth, New Hampshire, and Michelle DeCota of Rutland; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by both his parents and a brother, Louis DeCota.
Calling hours will be held from 4–6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Killington Fire Station (Public Service Building), 800 Killington Rd, Killington.
A funeral mass will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Our Lady of the Mountains in Killington, with burial services immediately following at the Sherburne Riverside Cemetery on River Road in Killington. Memorial contributions of Pete DeCota can be made to Killington Firefighters Association Inc. and mailed to 329 Weathervane Drive, Killington, VT, 05751.
Arrangements are being directed by Clifford Funeral Home.
Submitted
Pete DeCota
