William R. Cole, Jr.

William R. Cole, Jr., 89, born on July 8, 1935, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025 with his family by his side in Winchendon, MA. William (Russ) was born in Fitchburg on July 8, 1935, the son of the late William R. Cole, Sr. and Marguerite B. Cole. Russ proudly served in the United States Air Force, enlisting in August of 1954. He was assigned to the 551st Electronics Maintenance Squadron for four years, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Russ was then transferred to the Air Force Reserves in March of 1958. He was honorably discharged in August of 1962. Following his military service, he built a successful career as a licensed master electrician and the lead supervisor of the electrical department at Hollingsworth and Vose Company in West Groton, MA, where he worked for 31 years. On October 3, 1958, Russ married Anna (Zompa) Cole, with whom he shared a loving life until her passing in 2022. Together, they raised their family in West Groton, Massachusetts, where they lived until 1992. In retirement, Russ and Anna spent 13 wonderful years in Lake Havasu, City AZ, enjoying warm winters while returning to Massachusetts each summer to visit their children and grandchildren. They loved to camp and cherished the trips they took to Bar Harbor, Maine each year. Russ enjoyed traveling, going to desert cookouts with their Arizona neighbors, playing golf, gardening and keeping active. Russ had a passion for working with his hands — always fixing, repairing, and building things. His resourcefulness and willingness to help were constants throughout his life. He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus for many years. He is survived by his four children—Brenda Cole-Milner and her spouse Mike, Carla Turbide and her spouse Mark, Maria Cole and her spouse Karen, Bill Cole and his spouse Beth. He is survived by 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren along with his sister Gail Drake of Richmond, VA and his brother Kenneth Cole of Townsend, MA. The family would like to recognize and thank the staffs of Broadview Assisted Living in Winchendon, MA and Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. in Gardner, MA for their care and compassion that they showed him during his stay. A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 10, at 11:30 AM in the T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 250 Main St., Townsend, followed by a burial, with full military honors, in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. A calling hour in the funeral home will be held on Monday morning prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:30 AM In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc, https://www.carecentralvnahospice.org/about/donate/ or to Broadview Staff Appreciation Fund, 547 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475

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William R. Cole, Jr.

July 8, 1935 - March 1, 2025