Herbert J. "Herb" Cole

COXSACKIE – Herbert “Herb” J. Cole, 93, died on May 6, 2024 at his home with loved ones at his side to love and pray him up to His Father’s house. Herb was the beloved husband to Teresa D. (Dovidio) Cole who predeceased him. They have been patiently awaiting their reunion for 25 long years. Herb, “Herbie,” was born August 18, 1930, in Coxsackie to the late Albert D. and Pearl Garnet (Hotaling) Cole of Coxsackie. His faith was deeply rooted in him from birth. Growing up, he was in The First Reformed Church family in Coxsackie, hearing and loving the old hymns and gospel tunes. He chose to follow the Catholic faith in the US Navy after being invited to join a buddy at his service one Sunday and he. “liked what I heard and went back the next week.” He has been a faithful member and communicant at St. Mary’s RC Church in Coxsackie for over 70 years. His love for his St. Mary’s family and church home was demonstrated in his tender loving caretaker role for the church and parish cemetery for many years. He is survived by his daughter Catherine Lucas Huber (Joseph) of Coxsackie, sister Lois Reed of Reading, PA, cousins and nieces and nephews from the Cole and Dovidio families that are as numerous and unique as the stars. He was predeceased by his son Rocco A. Cole and siblings; Bertha Hotaling, Albert D. Cole Jr., Walter Cole, Blanche VanAlstyne, and Maida Cole. Herb told many a story of his childhood growing up with a houseful of kids, working the farms of his family and of his days as a teenager working full time on the Kriel Farm. His Mother had boarding rooms to rent. Each room was never empty for long, occupied with long term boarders usually staying for years, some until the end of their days. It is no wonder they stayed – Pearl offered men recently released from prison, a second chance to have a place of their own with good country food, and family company around her huge table with the gospel station on the kitchen radio. It’s easy to see how he came to be this sweet, gentle, generous man – his mom raised him well on the gospels and the spirit of generosity and love. Oh, he was a sinner as we all are, and He knew all good gifts in his life came from the blessings of the Holy Trinity - he gave thanks for that in his daily prayers and candidly reconciled his sins that with his Father. Herb volunteered service to his country enlisting in the United States Navy, had basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago, and completed a total of seven years of service in the US Navy and US Naval Reserves. He saw 8 months at sea on the USS Cecil (DDR-835) and 2 years at sea on the USS Smalley. He was a Machinist Mate 2 (Ship’s Repair) (Engine Operator) – MM2 (SRE), telling the story of underwater welding the hull after taking a dud torpedo hit. He had a “discussion” with a salivating shark going for him in the welding cage – he won with his prod rod, leaving it hungry. When not at sea he was stationed between the Brooklyn shipyard and Newport RI shipyard – he helped decommission ships, saying he ‘d put them in moth balls, then when a ship was recommissioned – he’d work taking them out of moth balls and get them sea worthy. Herb was a jack of all trades – after his service, he settled down on Mansion Street with Teresa and their infant, Rocco. He was active in Boy Scouts for countless years and was presented with The Bronze Pelican Emblem by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in Scouting Programs. There were Cub Scout meetings with Den mother, Mrs. Cole at his house, Pinewood Derbys, blue and gold banquets, camping in Earlton & Camp Trimount, Scout Sundays at church. He worked on the railroad, was an auto mechanic and had Cole & Hotaling Garage on Mansion St. with his cousin Henry. He was a caterpillar operator for KB Products in West Coxsackie. In addition to being his St. Mary’s Parish caretaker, he was employed as a janitor at Coxsackie-Athens School, Coxsackie and his third job was always handy man about town until his forced retirement from all of his jobs due to blindness. Herb was diagnosed with dementia very soon after his retirement and had a rich quality of life in the 40 years of meeting the challenges of the disease. Never a complainer, always looked on the bright side of life, laughing and enjoying everything he did. Began going to his USS Cecil Navy ship reunion when he turned 80 and travelled to a different state every year to reconnect with men who also served in the ship’s WWII, Korean and Vietnam War deployments. Even in the advanced stage of the disease he still smiled, laughed, was sarcastic and his gentleness never left him – we accepted the few and far between “off days” graciously and every 15 minutes was a new day anyway and usually a happy one! The throngs of truly caring people that helped Herb maintain the highest quality of life over the last 40 years cannot all be numbered, named, or thanked enough – they are all dear to his family. These last two years, four women have helped the family keep Herb home and engaged in life, happy; Michelline Passaro, Lisa D’Arcangelis, Trina and Kylah Covey – “care angels” extraordinaire – they came into his life as a blessing. They are family forever and could never be thanked enough – their blessings will be great for their labors of love. Visitation will be held at the W.C. Brady's Sons, Inc. Funeral Home, 97 Mansion St., Coxsackie, N.Y., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. The Knights of Columbus will hold services at 6:00 P.M. and also The American Legion Post #291 will render honors at 6:30 P.M. at the funeral home, Tuesday evening. Visitation will also be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 80 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, N.Y.,12051, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 12:00 Noon at the church. Interment will follow in the family plot of The St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, Rt. 385 Coxsackie, with United States Navy Military Honors, by The N.Y.S. Military Forces Honor Guard and also The American Legion Post # 291 respectively. If a donation is preferred over flowers, please give or send a donation in Herb’s memory to St. Mary’s Church, 80 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, N.Y., 12051, or to any charity in Herb's memory. Condolences and memories of Herb may be shared at www.wcbradyssonsinc.net.

Herbert J. "Herb" Cole

August 18, 1930 - May 6, 2024