Neil Samuel Cotton

Neil Samuel Cotton, born in Toronto on March 20, 1946, and having lived all of his adult life in Georgetown, passed away with dignity on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, after an on-and-off battle with cancer.

Neil dedicated his life to education, inspiring countless students as a devoted school teacher. He began his teaching career in Peel, where he taught for one year before spending the remainder of his career at Georgetown District High School, finishing as the Science Department Head. Neil had a profound impact on those he taught, those he coached in hockey, football, soccer, rugby, and volleyball, and his fellow educators. His favorite subjects to teach were biology and environmental studies, areas he cared deeply about, and he was always eager to share interesting facts with anyone who would listen.

Neil gave back to the community in numerous ways, including coaching hockey, running a hockey school in the 80s, leading the High School's Toys for Tots drive, and more recently convening the Music Group at Hillsview Active Living Centre in Georgetown. He was honored to be inducted into the Halton Hills Hockey Hall of Fame and the Halton Hills Sport Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the community.

Neil spent much of his time with friends and family hiking, traveling, golfing, coaching, playing in country music bands, and most impressively, writing the lyrics and music for over 1,000 original songs. One of his favorite pastimes was traveling to watch and support his family as they shared their passions with the world.

Neil was the loving husband of Wendy Cotton (born Lehman) and the best father ever to Sean Cotton and Kelly Lupton (born Cotton), and father-in-law to Camille Barr and Brock Lupton. Known affectionately as Grandpa or Big Papa, Neil was a devoted grandfather to Jesse Cotton, Branwyn Lupton, and Sadie Lupton. He also fully embraced his role as step and surrogate grandpa to other very special family members Hailey Reid, Connor Reid, Savannah Rogers, and Zoe Rogers. Neil was thrilled to become a great-grandfather with the birth of Ryker Van Duzen. He was the beloved son of the late Samuel Albert Cotton and Jenny Cotton (born Cameron) of Beaverton, Ontario.

Neil's legacy will live on through the lives he touched and the memories he created. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In the absence of a celebration of life, Neil wanted those he touched to take a moment to do something that makes the world a better place and dedicate this action to his memory. If you wish to send donations in Neil's memory, please consider Hillsview Active Living Centre Georgetown or Willow Park Ecology Centre (Georgetown), two organizations that provide positive change in our community.