David Cole

BANGOR – Lt. Col. David Albert Cole, 92, passed away peacefully June 9, 2023, with family by his side at the VA Veterans Home in Bangor. He was born June 28, 1930, in Dover-Foxcroft, the son of Benjamin and Clara (Cookson) Cole.

A graduate of the University of Maine in Orono, David majored in animal husbandry and was active in the ROTC program. This led to a 26-year career as a decorated Army aviator with assignments around the world, often flying foreign dignitaries to various European locations. In addition, he served one tour of duty in Korea as well as two tours in Vietnam. During his time in the military, he also traveled the US and Europe with his wife Ernestine and their four sons (the “Cole brothers”). After retirement, David enjoyed his work as the executive director of the United Way of Penobscot Valley, a position he held for more than a decade.

His early life included farming at the family home and later dairy work at Roseledge Farm in Bangor where he met his future bride and in-laws. David also worked at the HP Hood plant in Bangor making ice cream. Anyone knowing David will smile and remember his great fondness for ice cream, anytime and any season.

He was a lifelong outdoorsman, enjoying camping, fishing, hunting, and shooting. He was particularly fond of these pursuits in the Brownville, K-I, Jo-Mary area where his father had a camp on Upper Ebeemee. The Gauntlet was a favorite place. He gardened extensively, assisting Ernestine in landscaping and beautifying their Broadway home. David pursued photography throughout his adult life, documenting his world travels and assignments as well as hundreds of family occasions and outings, using everything from the Brownie camera to the iPhone.

He was a longtime member of the Crosspoint Church, serving as a deacon, usher, greeter, and business manager. He was also the Ministry manager for the country of Vietnam and for Outreach to Asia Nationals, a mission organization located in Virginia. He led many trips training pastors in Vietnam. Once David retired, he was given the distinguished title of Deacon Emeritus. He served the church faithfully for many decades and was a leader and role model for many people.

In addition to his parents, David was predeceased by his sisters, Jean and her husband, Joseph; and their grandson, James, and Ann and her husband, George; parents-in-law, Ernest and Gladys Braley; sister-in-laws, Muriel and her husband, Frank; and their son, Robert, Marion and her husband, “Slim”; and their son, Donald, Beulah and her husband, Everett; and their son, Jimmy, Leone and her husband, Sterling, and Dorothy and her husband, Ken, and their son, Kevin. Surviving, are his sons, Bruce and his partner, Lynn, Paul and his wife, Tracie, Clayton and his wife, Linda, and Stephen and his wife, Serena; grandchildren, Liza Foley, Danny Cole, Riley Cole, Emily Cole, Brittany Cole, Faith Cole, and Caroline Cole; five great-grandchildren; and a special, longtime friend, Paula Frederick.

Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at Crosspoint Church, Broadway, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at Crosspoint, immediately following the service. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bangor, following the reception.