Obituary: Brian E. Cotter, Esq., 77, Of Danbury

Information and Photo Courtesy Cornell Memorial Home

DANBURY, CT — Brian E. Cotter, Esq., 77, respected attorney and professor, beloved father, brother, and grandfather, passed away on June 25, 2023. He was born in Alexandria, VA on January 24, 1946, the son of the late Atty Robert and Rita (Lang) Cotter. He was proud to grow up in Abington and Cape Cod, MA as one of seven siblings who he loved fiercely.

Brian attended Georgetown University as an undergraduate and earned his law degree from Boston University School of Law. He moved to Danbury in 1971 where he remained a resident for almost 50 years.

Throughout his distinguished career as supervisory assistant state’s attorney for the Judicial District in Danbury from 1972-1996, Brian prosecuted many high-profile cases. He was equally proud of his work as a professor of law at Western Connecticut State University and of his private practice, focused on mortgage and later immigration law.

Brian believed in democracy and civic duty, serving on the Danbury Board of Education for two terms and actively participating in local politics in his home states. He served as treasurer of the Connecticut State’s Prosecutor’s Association, and president and vice president of the Danbury Bar Association.

He loved politics, the New England Ocean, playing and watching golf, and always enjoyed a good laugh. Brian most of all loved his role as an “over 40” father to his son Sean, and again his role as “Gramps” to his granddaughter Olivia. He often expressed his appreciation of the opportunity to be an older and wiser father, and fully treasured every moment spent with Sean. Later in life, he loved nothing more than helping raise his granddaughter, and was often seen on dinner dates about town with his favorite girl, Olivia.

Brian is survived by his son, Sean Cotter; his daughter, Elizabeth Cotter and her husband, Eric MacFayden; his granddaughter, Olivia; his sister Julie Cotter; his brothers Chris, Greg, and Barry Cotter; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his third wife, Leslie Burkhard.
He was predeceased by his wife of 32 years and mother of his children Ellen (Tomaino); and his brothers Jim and Shawn Cotter.

Friends are welcome to attend a visitation at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, on Thursday, July 27 between the hours of 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.