James M. Cottrell

Cottrell, Reverend, Father James M. 3/4/1931 - 3/19/2017 Gainesville, FL Reverend, Father James M. Cottrell, 86, Gainsville, FL, formerly of Saginaw, died March 19, 2017 at his home in Gainesville, FL. Fr. Cottrell, a Roman Catholic priest, graduated from Saginaw High School in 1949. As a young adult, and prior to his ordination, Fr. Cottrell lived his religious vocation as a Camaldolese monk in Tuscany, Italy, these cloistered contemplative Roman Catholic monastics follow the rule of St. Benedict. Fr. Cottrell was instrumental in expanding this Order to the US, they settled in Big Sir, CA. Fr. Cottrell was ordained into the priesthood in 1968 in Miami, FL., he served many parishes in Florida and Puerto Rico. His longest service was as Pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, Inverness, FL. Fr. Cottrell is the son of the late Cecil and Emma Cottrell. His brothers, Cecil (Pete) R. lives in Bay City and Thomas L., is currently living in Woodbury, MN. Siblings Virginia Burnett, Bernadette Wachowicz, Margret Burgess, and Milton Cottrell are deceased. Fr. Cottrell has many nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Madeleine Catholic Church in High Springs, FL on Friday, March 24. It is here where he will be laid to rest. Fr. Cottrell came into this world under 2lbs. and through the grace of God not only survived, but thrived. Complications of his premature birth plagued his life, but he accepted it with grace, and allowed it to fuel his devotion to his vocation. His kindness, compassion, and rich sense of humor drew the faithful to him, but a deep devotion to his own mother, as well as the Blessed Mother inspired the faithful to listen to him.