Brendon Cote

NASHUA – During the late afternoon of March 1, Jonathan Cote of Nashua got a phone call that no spouse ever wants to receive.

His 28-year-old husband, Brendon, had been rushed to Elliot Hospital in Manchester to be treated for an overdose.

“My entire life was turned upside down,” Cote said on his GoFundMe page, which has garnered $7,242 as of March 6. “You can imagine the shock and disbelief that I instantly felt hearing those words. I was in denial on my way to the hospital thinking everything would be okay.”

Unfortunately, everything was not okay. Cote was told that Brendon had ingested a “massive quantity of prescription blood pressure medication and a lethal dose of Tylenol.”

Despite his serious condition, Brendon was still coherent enough to speak when Cote arrived at Elliot.

“He kept telling me how sorry he was, there were so many questions I wanted to ask but it simply was not the time,” said Cote. “I kept telling him how much I loved him and that I needed him to fight.”

It was not long before Brendon’s doctors determined that they were not equipped to provide the level of care that he desperately needed. As time was of the essence, Brendon was flown to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, approximately 50 miles away.

While in the air, Cote said the substances that Brendon had taken began to take their toll.

Upon landing in Boston, Brendon was immediately put on a ventilator and dialysis. He was also hooked up to an ECMO machine for additional cardiac and respiratory support.

Although Brendon was in critical condition, Cote said the doctors were initially optimistic.

“I stayed awake for 54 hours waiting and trying to wrap my mind about how and why we were here,” he said. “There were so many ups and downs, we got optimistic news followed by news of catastrophic developments. I never left the hospital, I did not want to be away from him.”

By 3:30 p.m. on March 3 it became clear that Brendon’s condition would not improve, forcing Cote to make the gut-wrenching decision to take his husband off life support. Brendon passed away 10 minutes later.

“The love of my life, the brightest light I have ever known, left this world and left me for the first time in 10 years,” said Cote. “I am broken in every possible meaning, I am feeling so lost without him. He did not deserve any of this.”

Cote said he is still at a loss as to what drove Brendon to overdose.

“Brendon had a lot of struggles and trauma from childhood that followed him into adulthood but nothing that would point to why this happened. There was absolutely no history of substance abuse,” said Cote. “Brendon was such a loving and warm person, he was my person. His love and affection were deep, Brendon gave the best hugs, when he hugged you that love was felt without question.”

Cote also said Brendon was a “ferocious reader” and had a passion for crocheting.

“He was so talented and brought joy to so many with his crafts,” said Cote.

Although Cote has never looked to charity in the past, he said a GoFundMe page was needed to cover medical expenses, final arrangements and life on a single income.

“Anything that anyone can give is appreciated,” he said. “Anything left will go to finding a way to keep Brendon’s memory alive for the rest of my life and beyond.”

Together with Cote, Brendon was the father of five international sons: Joachim Longtain of Belgium, Robin Maisse of France, Marlon Brocher of Germany, Pedro Fullin of Brazil and Adrian Roggatz of Germany. In addition to numerous family and friends, Brendon also leaves behind his dog Akira, cat Artemis and rabbit Charlie.