Joseph A. Cole

WORCESTER – Joseph Alfred Cole, 90, of Worcester, MA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at Christopher House Nursing Home, 10 Mary Scano Drive, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Born in Worcester in 1931 and raised in Spencer, Massachusetts, he was the eldest child of Alfred G. and Flora E. (Barclay) Cole. He is predeceased by his mother and father and younger brother, Richard “Dickie” B. Cole, as well as a son, David A. Cole, who died at 4 days old.

As a young man, “Joe” and his father owned and operated a Holstein Dairy Farm in North Spencer, MA for many years. Joe and his wife, Mary T. Concannon Cole from Lowell, MA raised 6 children on the farmstead. When they first met, Mary’s impression of Joe was that of an “old hayseed” from the country. Something, however, naturally clicked and the country boy and city girl fell in love and were married for more than 67 years.

After selling the family farm, Joe and Mary moved their young family to Paxton, MA. Joe had numerous professions over the years including selling life insurance for New England Life, a Manager of Friendly’s Ice Cream, a self-employed carpenter, and then went on to have a career for more than 30 years at Northeast Saving Bank f/k/a Freedom Federal Savings. At the end of his career with the bank, Joe had elevated to the position of Assistant Vice President in charge of Facilities/Security and was responsible for 83 bank branches in 5 different states. In the autumn of their lives, Joe and Mary relocated to Vero Beach, Florida where they enjoyed many retirement years oceanside before returning to Massachusetts in their twilight years.

Joe graduated with the Class of 1949 from David Prouty High School in Spencer, Massachusetts before attending Clark University. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Joe was a man of deep faith and served as a lectern and Eucharistic Minister for many years at St. Helen’s Church in Vero Beach, Florida. He previously was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church in Paxton, Massachusetts.

Joe was an amazing man who loved life! He was proud of his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe was an affable Irishman who embraced his Irish heritage with a certain clannish pride. He was known to enjoy a good steak, a good book, a cold beverage and the company of good friends and family. He enjoyed history, museums, playing a round of golf, and traveling. A trip to Ireland with Mary brought much joy! And, he certainly was known for telling a tale or two!

He will be lovingly missed by his wife, Mary T. Concannon Cole; his son, Michael J. Cole of Spencer MA; his daughter-in-law, Kim Messier Cole and her beau Jan Ilvonen of Auburn MA; his son, Peter B. Cole and his wife Karen (Bouchard) of Holden MA; his daughter, Elizabeth A. Hill and her husband James of Holden MA; his daughter, Ellen M. Cole and her wife Tracy (Senecal) of Rutland MA; his son, Stephen P. Cole of Worcester MA; his daughter, Joanne L. Cole and her beau Clarence V. LaBonte, III of Worcester MA; his granddaughter, Megan L. Cole Tighe and her husband Brian of Austin, TX and their son, Townes; his granddaughter, Jamie L. Cole Frazer and her husband Jay and their children, Adilyn and Natalia of San Francisco, CA; his granddaughter, Kelly A. Cole and her husband Kevin Lowe of Sterling, MA; his grandson, Brian Joseph Cole and his wife Nicole and their children, Laci, Chloe and Liam of Spencer MA; and his granddaughter, Sarah E. Hill Gigliotti and her husband Michael of Worcester MA. He also leaves behind close family friends, Elaine Donovan of North Andover MA, James and Mary Ann O’Hearn of Buzzards Bay MA, and all their cherished friends in Florida, especially, John and Rose Collins, and Thomas and Simonetta Steyer.

A private graveside burial service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at Holy Rosary & St. Mary’s Cemetery in Spencer, MA. The beloved Deacon Eduardas Meilus from St. John’s Church in Worcester will be officiating graveside. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Special Olympics in Marlborough, Massachusetts, in honor of Joe’s memory and in remembrance of his late brother “Dickie” who was born with Down syndrome and who was a cherished member of the family. The family wishes to extend much gratitude to the Christopher House Nursing Home for its compassionate care. Funeral arrangements were made under the care of Miles Funeral Home in Holden. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit our “Tribute Wall”