John Richard Cotter Jr. 87 of Milford, MA formerly of Ashland passed away peacefully surrounded by all who loved him on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. He would have celebrated his 88th Birthday on March 24th. He was born in Framingham, MA on March 24, 1925 to John and Irene (Fournier) Cotter. He graduated from Framingham High School in 1942. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and served his country honorably during World War II aboard the USS Bolivar APA 34. On June 1, 1947 he married Louise May McGuire of Framingham, MA. He worked at General Motors in Framingham from 1950 to 1955, after that he worked for the (RPO) Railway Postal Service B&A Railroad, then in 1967 he went to work for the Framingham Post Office until his retirement in 1987. After his retirement he spent time with his children and their extended families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his three sisters, Cecelia (Cotter) Brodie, Lorraine (Cotter) Patrician and Doris (Cotter) Hanna. John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Louise (McGuire) Cotter, his brother William Cotter of Yarmouth, MA, and eleven children, Michael Cotter of Milford, MA, Donna Louise (Cotter) Swett and her husband William of North Highland, CA, Cheryl Ann (Cotter) Frazier and her husband Alexander of Maynard, MA, Steven Cotter and his companion Joanne Kane of Southmont, NC, Thomas Cotter and his wife Laura of Franklin, MA, Robert Cotter and his companion Robin Butler of Northwood, NH, Jean (Cotter) Nannicelli and her husband Richard of Antrim, NH, Joan (Cotter) Poulson and her husband Benjamin of Stow, MA, Diane (Cotter) Brewer and her husband Roy of Mendon, MA, John Cotter and his wife Patricia of Uxbridge, MA and Susan (Cotter) Rondeau and her husband David of Milford, MA, twenty eight grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held Monday, March 25th at 11:00am in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. in Ashland. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 3:00-6:00 PM in the funeral home. Donations may be made in his name to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 5 East Main St. Milford, MA 01757