Waterbury Corporal Christian Scott Cotner- age 20, died Friday, May 30th in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Corporal Cotner was born November 27th 1987 in Waterbury, CT, the son of Graham and Karen (Christensen) Cotner of Waterbury. He was a graduate of Kingsbury Grammar School, North End Middle School and Wilby High School. Upon graduation, Mr. Cotner joined the United States Marines Corp and has recently been serving as a Corporal in the Marines Wing Support Squadron #172, Group #17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing III, Marine Expeditionary Force headquartered in Okinawa, Japan. He was a member of the Boys Scouts of America, the Wilby High School, ROTC, and was a member of the First Congregational Church of Waterbury. He had a passion for computers and electronic gaming and enjoyed building and flying remote control airplanes and was a member of the Nutmeg Flyers.
Besides his parents, Christian is survived by a brother, Eric Cotner of Waterbury, his maternal grandparents June Christensen of Waterbury; and Carl L. Christensen of Lyme, CT, his paternal grandparents Billy & Gloria Cotner of Waterbury, his aunt Wendy Christensen of Florida, his uncle Eric Christensen and his wife Susan of Shelton, his aunt Cathy Crouse and her husband Ralph of Wolcott, cousins Stewart and David Crouse, Victoria Jelenik and Julie Christensen as well many close friends "The Crew".
A graveside service with full military honors will be held Saturday June 7th at 10:00a.m. at Riverside Cemetery, 496 Riverside St in Waterbury and a Memorial Service will be held Saturday June 7th at 1:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Waterbury, 222 W. Main St. Family and friends who plan on attending the graveside service are asked to meet directly at Riverside Cemetery and stage outside the cemetery gate until the family arrives. At the family's request, dress for the 1:00 p.m. memorial service should be "Tropical Casual" due to a very warm sanctuary. The Casey-O'Donnell Family Funeral Home 1581 E. Main St Waterbury has been entrusted to assist the family and the United States Armed Forces with funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First Congregational Church of Waterbury (222 W. Main St Waterbury, Ct 06702) for a scholarship fund in memory of Christian Scott Cotner. For more information, to light a memorial candle, or to send an on-line condolence to the family please visit the funeral homes website at
www.caseyodonnell.com
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or send flowers to the family in memory of Corporal Christian scott Cotner, please visit our