Gordon M. Cole's Obituary
Gordon M. Cole, 79, of Ashford, CT, husband of 50 years to the late Jane O. (Collins) Cole, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2015. He was born on September 28, 1935 in Springfield, MA, son of the late Gordon M. and Mildred Kathleen (Moore) Cole. Gordon graduated from Springfield Community College with an Associates’ degree in Liberal Arts, and American International College with a Bachelors’ degree in Economics. Gordon served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954 to 1975 and retired as a Gunnery Sergeant. He served in Vietnam during the Gulf of Tonkin incident, was in operation “Star-Lite” in 1965, and served with the 1st Marine Division. He also served with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Danang in 1969. Gordon was decorated with the Purple Heart, Navy Commendation with “V” for Valor, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Action Ribbon, and various Vietnam service medals. While in the Marine’s, he served in various capacities; as a infantry unit leader, drill instructor, accident investigator, criminal investigator, legal chief, and military policeman. After retirement from the United States Marine Corps, Gordon worked for the State of Connecticut Labor Department as a Veterans Representative. After his retirement from the state, he went into real estate sales for about six years. He enjoyed working on his house doing remodeling. Gordon was a life member of the VFW Post No. 9990 of Stafford, the AMVETS, the Purple Heart Association, Strazza, Tonoli-Emhoff Post No. 26 American Legion, and the Marine Corps Association. Gordon is survived by his daughter Deborah Cole of Chicopee, MA and her two sons Zachary and Timothy; son Vincent Cole and his wife Bea of Chicopee, MA and their daughters Samantha and Jessica; daughter Marcie Miner and her husband Jeff of Andover, CT and their children Dalton and Ariel; son Christopher Cole of Chaplin, CT and his children Dustan and Samantha and her son Jeremiah; daughter Jennifer Tiemann and her husband William of Scotland, CT and their children William, Henry, and Grace; son Daniel Cole of Ashford, CT; and son Matthew Cole and his wife Jennifer of Ellington, CT and their son Cameron. He also leaves his sister Janis Hoffman and her husband Ernest of Bloomington, IL; brother Don Cole and his wife Linda of Portland, ME; and five nephews. Gordon enjoyed his long weekends with family and friends, and the summer horse racing in Saratoga Springs, NY with his sons and great friend Craig Huntley. He will be there in spirit! His funeral service will be held on Friday, March 6, 2015 at 11 A.M. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Stafford Springs Cemetery, Stafford Springs, CT. Calling hours are on Thursday from 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to VFW Post No. 9990, 4 Thomas Dr., Stafford Springs, CT 06076. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com God Bless America!
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