John F. Cotter

John F. Cotter (c. 1906, Boston–January 22, 1954, Boston) was an American political figure who served as Commissioner of the Boston Fire Department and secretary to Congressman John P. Higgins.

Early life Cotter was born in Charlestown. His parents were both Irish immigrants who came to Boston as children. His father was born in County Kerry and his mother was born in County Limerick. He took courses at Burdett College after graduating from Charlestown High School and went into the advertising and public relations business. Cotter lost the Democratic nomination to Thomas A. Flaherty by 2,733 votes. Cotter easily won the Republican nomination, however this meant little in the overwhelmingly Democratic 11th district. Flaherty defeated Cotter in the special election by a 2 to 1 margin. Cotter again sought the 11th district seat in 1940 and 1946, but finished a distant third in the Democratic primary both times.

In 1943, Cotter returned to Washington as principal secretary to Flaherty's successor, James Michael Curley. During World War II he served in the Boston headquarters of the Army Service Forces's 1st Service Command, where he worked in public relations and provided entertainment to Army installations in New England.

On June 1, 1953, Cotter was appointed commissioner of the Boston Fire Department by Mayor John Hynes. On January 22, 1954, he died at Massachusetts General Hospital following brain surgery. He was 47 years old.