Harold S. Cole M.D.

Harold S. Cole, M.D. Born April 20, 1916, in Brooklyn, NY, and passed away at home in San Jose on November 21, 2009. Dr. Cole was the younger of two children (predeceased sister, Beatrice Gruskin, an attorney). He graduated from the University of Maryland (1937), attended Princeton University for postgraduate studies (1938) and received his medical degree from New York University Medical School (1942). He served in WWII from 1943-1946 rising to the rank of Major (Medical Corps) with the 7th Infantry. He saw action in the Pacific making three amphibious landings (Okinawa, Leyte and Kwajalein). His military awards included two Bronze Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Philippine Unit Citation, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Battle Stars. Following the war, he established a successful private practice in Pediatrics in Rutherford, NJ, and was also involved in the academic side of medicine. Harold was a Professor of Pediatrics at New York Medical College where he became an expert in pediatric diabetes, contributing to five published textbooks. Later he was appointed Chief of Medical Services at the Bronx Developmental Center in New York. After moving to San Jose in 1995, he continued to serve the community as a member of the San Jose Mayor's Disability Advisory Commission from 2000 to 2003. Harold is survived by his wife, Carol Jean, nephew, Matthew C. Gruskin, J.D. and niece, Dr. Laura (Gruskin) Stemmle, two grand nephews, one great niece, two great great nephews, one great great niece and numerous extended family members and close friends. All of the people whose lives he touched are deeply saddened by his passing, and recall him as a person of intelligence, great wit and charm. Memorial service, Saturday, January 16, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cribari Auditorium in the Villages, San Jose.