Bruce Waldo Cole

Family Story Teller

Bruce Waldo Cole, Chief Master Sergeant (Ret), 77, died December 2. He was born on April 25, 1929, in Sandy Hook, where he lived until enlisting in the US Army Air Corps on June 23, 1947. He was the son of Fred and Letta (Bennett) Coke, the fourth of nine children.

Mr Cole is survived by his wife Jeanette, to whom he was married for 22 years; also his daughter Tora; two stepsons and their wives; and several grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Also surviving him are his sisters Shirley Cole Ferris of Newtown and Virginia Cole Wirtes of Florida; and brothers Larry M. Cole, who currently resides in Florida, and Walter A. Cole of Bethlehem, Conn.

He was predeceased by his sister, Louise Cole Westover; brothers Fred Charles Cole and Kenneth Warren Cole; and his first wife, Eileen Wigton Cole.

Longtime Newtown residents will recognize the name of Dr Waldo F. Desmond, who practiced for many years here. Mr Cole’s mother named him Waldo to mark the attending physician’s first delivery. Mr Cole was born on Pine Street in the home the family shared for more than 30 years.

Mr Cole proudly served in the United States Air Force until he retired in 1977. He was stationed in Japan, China, Korea, Italy, and Thailand, as well as several bases in the United States. He was the recipient of numerous awards over the course of his career including the Meritorious Service Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf clusters and the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star. After retiring from the Air Force he was in civil service until he retired in 1991.

For the past several years he has made his home in the hill country of Texas and was an outspoken proponent of the preservation of the wildflowers of the area. Until recently, he traveled with his wife with a camping group where he served as wagon master.

Mr Cole is remembered by his family and friends as a great story teller and often related tales from his years in the service, including his term of duty as staff member to General Douglas MacArthur. Although he never returned to Newtown to live, he often spoke of his memories growing up and working in Newtown, recalling in vivid detail personalities and properties. He was working on a family genealogy when he died.

He was given a full military burial in Marion, Texas.

The Newtown Bee      December 29, 2006