Thomas Howard Cole, Sr.

BETHLEHEM-Thomas was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 13, 1928 son of the late Howard E. and Anna Mae (Welch) Cole He lived in Rhode Island, and New Haven, Southbury, and Woodbury, CT, before settling in Bethlehem, CT in 1967. He joined the volunteer Fire Department around 1969 and made lieutenant.
Tom coached in the Bethlehem Little League, first with the Giants' team and then switched to the Orioles to coach Tom Jr. He also coached and started a girls' softball league with coaching help from Pat Bove and Nancy Westman. Unfortunately the league did not last due to lack of help with transportation.
He joined the Lions Club (Charter Member) in 1974 and was President 1980-81.
Tom was instrumental in starting the Bethlehem Ambulance Association and was its first President.
He is a veteran of World War 2 and Korea; he was with the Seabees (Country's Best) and Unit MCB1 in the Korean War.
Tom is survived by his wife, Jane O. Cole, two daughters, (Jane) Susan Stone, and Linda M. and her husband, Jack O'Donnell, and a son, Thomas H. Cole, Jr. and his wife, Carol. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Erika Stone, Jillian (Stone) Maloney, Alexandra Stone, and Samantha, Thomas and Elizabeth Cole. Also one great-grandson, Parker Maloney. He is also survived by a daughter, Gayle Ingram, from a previous marriage and predeceased by her sister, Cheryl Pongratz, and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Anna (Ross) Cole, two sisters, Elizabeth Stellute and Gloria Cole, and one brother, Calvin Cole.
Burial will take place in Bethlehem Cemetery at the family's convenience.

Cemetery: Bethlehem Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Services: A memorial service will take place on Monday, May 5, at 10: 00 a.m. at the Woodbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 2 School St.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.