GARDINER - Charles Edwin Cole, born in Gardiner on Sept. 28, 1923, passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife and grandson Luke at his side on Nov. 25, 2012.
He was one of four children of John and Rita Cole. Charlie graduated from Gardiner High School in 1943, where he excelled in basketball and hockey. He served aboard the USS Hornet during World War II, participating in numerous major battles in the west Pacific. Charlie was employed by New England Telephone Company as a central office switchman, and retired in 1983 after 37 years.
Charlie met his future wife, Barbara Purdy, a telephone operator, while she was having lunch with his mother. He frequently paid visits to Barb's home on Northern Avenue, where his very special smile stole her heart (and provided the family wonderful private stories told to this day). They were married on June 29, 1947, and spent their honeymoon at Square Lake (with empty suitcases, thanks to friends). They lived on Heselton Street for more than 54 years.
Charlie had many interests; he golfed most courses in Maine, was an amateur woodworker, an avid duck hunter and fisherman and an amateur radio operator, call sign N1ESW. He loved to take the family to a log cabin on Seboomook Lake, where Barb enjoyed the amenities. Charlie was a member of the Gardiner American Legion, a member of Herman Lodge No. 32 A.F. & A.M. in Gardiner for more than 50 years, was past master, Mid-Coast Maine Grand Council 205, Knights Templar, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar priest, Grand Imperial Council Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, Knights of York Cross of Honor, Royal Arch Mason, Vermont Association Knights Templar Commanders, Maine Council Order of High Priesthood, grand steward of Grand Lodge of Maine, and thrice illustrious master in the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, and recipient of DeMolay Cross of Honor and DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor. For more than 20 years, he was the Gardiner DeMolay chapter dad and DeMolay basketball coach.
He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, of Scarborough; son Fred and his wife, Nora; son John and his wife, Beryl; and several grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces and nephews.
A graveside committal service with full military honors will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. (Kennebec Journal 11/30/2012)
He was one of four children of John and Rita Cole. Charlie graduated from Gardiner High School in 1943, where he excelled in basketball and hockey. He served aboard the USS Hornet during World War II, participating in numerous major battles in the west Pacific. Charlie was employed by New England Telephone Company as a central office switchman, and retired in 1983 after 37 years.
Charlie met his future wife, Barbara Purdy, a telephone operator, while she was having lunch with his mother. He frequently paid visits to Barb's home on Northern Avenue, where his very special smile stole her heart (and provided the family wonderful private stories told to this day). They were married on June 29, 1947, and spent their honeymoon at Square Lake (with empty suitcases, thanks to friends). They lived on Heselton Street for more than 54 years.
Charlie had many interests; he golfed most courses in Maine, was an amateur woodworker, an avid duck hunter and fisherman and an amateur radio operator, call sign N1ESW. He loved to take the family to a log cabin on Seboomook Lake, where Barb enjoyed the amenities. Charlie was a member of the Gardiner American Legion, a member of Herman Lodge No. 32 A.F. & A.M. in Gardiner for more than 50 years, was past master, Mid-Coast Maine Grand Council 205, Knights Templar, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar priest, Grand Imperial Council Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, Knights of York Cross of Honor, Royal Arch Mason, Vermont Association Knights Templar Commanders, Maine Council Order of High Priesthood, grand steward of Grand Lodge of Maine, and thrice illustrious master in the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, and recipient of DeMolay Cross of Honor and DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor. For more than 20 years, he was the Gardiner DeMolay chapter dad and DeMolay basketball coach.
He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, of Scarborough; son Fred and his wife, Nora; son John and his wife, Beryl; and several grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces and nephews.
A graveside committal service with full military honors will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. (Kennebec Journal 11/30/2012)
GARDINER - Charles Edwin Cole, born in Gardiner on Sept. 28, 1923, passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife and grandson Luke at his side on Nov. 25, 2012.
He was one of four children of John and Rita Cole. Charlie graduated from Gardiner High School in 1943, where he excelled in basketball and hockey. He served aboard the USS Hornet during World War II, participating in numerous major battles in the west Pacific. Charlie was employed by New England Telephone Company as a central office switchman, and retired in 1983 after 37 years.
Charlie met his future wife, Barbara Purdy, a telephone operator, while she was having lunch with his mother. He frequently paid visits to Barb's home on Northern Avenue, where his very special smile stole her heart (and provided the family wonderful private stories told to this day). They were married on June 29, 1947, and spent their honeymoon at Square Lake (with empty suitcases, thanks to friends). They lived on Heselton Street for more than 54 years.
Charlie had many interests; he golfed most courses in Maine, was an amateur woodworker, an avid duck hunter and fisherman and an amateur radio operator, call sign N1ESW. He loved to take the family to a log cabin on Seboomook Lake, where Barb enjoyed the amenities. Charlie was a member of the Gardiner American Legion, a member of Herman Lodge No. 32 A.F. & A.M. in Gardiner for more than 50 years, was past master, Mid-Coast Maine Grand Council 205, Knights Templar, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar priest, Grand Imperial Council Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, Knights of York Cross of Honor, Royal Arch Mason, Vermont Association Knights Templar Commanders, Maine Council Order of High Priesthood, grand steward of Grand Lodge of Maine, and thrice illustrious master in the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, and recipient of DeMolay Cross of Honor and DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor. For more than 20 years, he was the Gardiner DeMolay chapter dad and DeMolay basketball coach.
He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, of Scarborough; son Fred and his wife, Nora; son John and his wife, Beryl; and several grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces and nephews.
A graveside committal service with full military honors will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. (Kennebec Journal 11/30/2012)
He was one of four children of John and Rita Cole. Charlie graduated from Gardiner High School in 1943, where he excelled in basketball and hockey. He served aboard the USS Hornet during World War II, participating in numerous major battles in the west Pacific. Charlie was employed by New England Telephone Company as a central office switchman, and retired in 1983 after 37 years.
Charlie met his future wife, Barbara Purdy, a telephone operator, while she was having lunch with his mother. He frequently paid visits to Barb's home on Northern Avenue, where his very special smile stole her heart (and provided the family wonderful private stories told to this day). They were married on June 29, 1947, and spent their honeymoon at Square Lake (with empty suitcases, thanks to friends). They lived on Heselton Street for more than 54 years.
Charlie had many interests; he golfed most courses in Maine, was an amateur woodworker, an avid duck hunter and fisherman and an amateur radio operator, call sign N1ESW. He loved to take the family to a log cabin on Seboomook Lake, where Barb enjoyed the amenities. Charlie was a member of the Gardiner American Legion, a member of Herman Lodge No. 32 A.F. & A.M. in Gardiner for more than 50 years, was past master, Mid-Coast Maine Grand Council 205, Knights Templar, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar priest, Grand Imperial Council Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, Knights of York Cross of Honor, Royal Arch Mason, Vermont Association Knights Templar Commanders, Maine Council Order of High Priesthood, grand steward of Grand Lodge of Maine, and thrice illustrious master in the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, and recipient of DeMolay Cross of Honor and DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor. For more than 20 years, he was the Gardiner DeMolay chapter dad and DeMolay basketball coach.
He leaves behind his wife, Barbara, of Scarborough; son Fred and his wife, Nora; son John and his wife, Beryl; and several grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces and nephews.
A graveside committal service with full military honors will be at Oak Grove Cemetery. (Kennebec Journal 11/30/2012)
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