MANCHESTER – On Oct. 15, 2021, Stephen passed from this physical life, surrounded by family and friends.

Stephen was born in Lewiston on April 17, 1951, to Henry L. Cottrell and Marjorie (Klump) Cottrell. The Cottrell family lived in Monmouth raising Steve and his two sisters Sandra and Barbara. Both of Steve’s parents were educators in Monmouth. The family also spent summers in Rangeley where they owned and operated Mingo Springs Golf Club.

Stephen graduated from Monmouth Academy in 1968, and Springfield College in 1972. In 1973, Steve completed his master’s degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Maine in Orono.

Following in his family’s footsteps, Steve began his professional career in education in Bradford as teaching principal with 36 5th grade students. He served as principal in Wales, Gardiner and Fairfield before moving into the Superintendency, where he served the communities of Jay, Winthrop, and Monmouth. Steve attended the very first Principal’s Academy hosted by the University of Maine at Orono in 1985. In 1996 and ’97, Steve served as a Distinguished Educator for the Maine Department of Education to review federal programming.

Post retirement, Steve continued to serve teachers and students of Maine while working for the Department of Education as a consultant for various schools throughout the state, in raising student achievement.

In 1973, Stephen and Marsha Black were married at the Cottrell family home in Monmouth. In 1975 they moved to the Augusta area where they raised their two children, son Ryan and daughter Raegan. In 1989 they moved to Manchester where they have resided for the last 36 years. Steve and Marsha have been members of the Augusta Country Club for over 30 years. Some of their greatest times have been spent with friends and family on the fairways and greens at ACC. Another love of Steve’s was boating on Cobbosseecontee Lake. The lake was where Steve and Marsha met and will always be an indelible part of their history together.

After the death of their son Ryan in 2002, Steve and Marsha turned to travel as a source of respite and recovery. Whether it was flying to Utah to visit their daughter, Raegan, in Park City or cruising the Mediterranean, Caribbean, or Greek Islands, they enjoyed amazing places and made many wonderful friends while in the company of dear traveling companions. Steve developed quite a flare for intrepid travel when he braved the hurricanes of Irma and Maria to be on St. Martin.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Marsha of 48 years; his daughter, Raegan of Augusta; his sister, Barbara Cottrell of Freeport; nieces and nephews; and many, many of the best friends a man could have.

He is predeceased by his parents; sister, Sandra; and son, Ryan.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. at Monmouth Academy in the Stuart Foster Gymnasium. Masks will be required.

Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives 82 Western Ave., Augusta, ME 04330.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the

Cottrell -Taylor Christmas Basket Fund

C/O Laurie Gifford

P.O. Box 218,

Monmouth ME 04259 or the

Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta.