SOLE, EUGENE F. "GENE", LIEUTENANT COLONEL, USMC RET., 48 - of Cape May passed away on Thursday morning, August 11, 2011 in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He will be missed by his loving family which includes his wife of 20 years, Sarah "Betsy" (nee Craig) Sole and their two sons, Tyler and Jackson, all of Cape May. He was a devoted son of Sandra H. Sole and the late LtCol. Joseph A. Sole, USMC Ret., of Tallahassee, FL and the brother of Mike (and Jeannie) Sole of Tallahassee, FL and Terri (and Oscar) Madrazo of Orlando, FL. He will also be dearly missed by his nine nieces and nephews and many, many close friends. Gene lived a life of selfless service to our nation and community as a United States Marine and an educator. He is a proud graduate of the University of Florida where he was the Vice President of his Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Upon graduation, he was commissioned an officer in the Marine Corps. He led Marines in various infantry and security force units at Camp Pendleton, CA; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Charleston, SC; Camp Lejeune, NC and several overseas deployments. His Marine Corps brethren described Gene as a "natural and gifted leader who was greatly respected and loved by his Marines". He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Marine Corps after 20 years of combined service on both active and reserve duty. A highly decorated Veteran of the Gulf War, Somalia, and Iraq, he is the recipient of numerous medals, citations and awards, to include the Bronze Star Medal. Gene was a beacon of leadership, patriotism, and courage to the youth of Lower Cape May and the many Marines he commanded. He had a distinguished career in the Lower Cape May School District where he served as a teacher, Vice Principal of Lower Cape May Regional High School and, most recently, the Principal of the Richard M. Teitelman Middle School. Gene was the Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop #73. He coached little league baseball and football in the Lower Township area and was the Assistant Soccer Coach at LCMRHS. He was a member of the Cape May City Volunteer Fire Company and Treasurer of the Cape May County Republican Party. Gene's devotion to his family and friends was unsurpassed. His marriage of twenty years to Betsy was filled with many loving and joyous moments and even more laughs, as they both shared the same bone dry sense of humor---often at Gene's expense. His self deprecating wit was legendary and touched everyone he met and some he hadn't. They met while Gene was stationed in Charleston, SC where Betsy was residing after college. After their marriage in Cape May, they spent time in beautiful Fort Sill, Oklahoma and scenic Camp Lejeune, NC until ultimately settling in Cape May after Gene left active duty. He took immense pride in watching his two sons excel in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and in scouting endeavors, and felt his greatest legacy was watching them both become "young men of honor". Both have inherited Gene's unassuming brand of leadership and discipline with Tyler, an Eagle Scout and incoming Ohio State freshman in the Marine ROTC program, and Jack, a three sport high school athlete, gifted student and aspiring Eagle Scout. Both have also worked hard since a young age at local restaurants during summers and school breaks. Gene lived a very full life in too short of a time, and the positive impact he had on countless others is immeasurable. He loved his family, friends and country and always gave of himself and put others first. He was a devout Catholic who led by example. He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He will be missed immensely. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Monday (Aug. 15th) from 6-9pm at the Lower Cape May Regional Performing Arts Center, 687 Route 9, Cape May. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday (Aug. 16th) at 11am in St. John of God Church (St. John Neumann Parish), 680 Townbank Rd., N. Cape May. Interment with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Lower Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gene's memory are suggested to The Gene Sole Scholarship Fund, c/o the Sturdy Savings Bank, 701 Washington St., Cape May, NJ 08204. (Spilker Funeral Home, Cape May) info and condolences: www.spilkerfuneralhome.com.
This obituary was originally published in The Press of Atlantic City.
Reenlistment at Guantanamo Bay, john Quick MOH location.
I enjoyed serving as his 1st Platoon Sergeant from 1988-1989 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Dedicated leader with a great sense of humor. It was a pleasure to share the platoon leadership roles with him, and I am sad to learn of his passing. He gave me a lot of freedom and trust, to develop as a leader and excel as a person.
Robert Thielen
July 05, 2022 | Escondido, CA | Friend
As I read the obituary, I remembered knowing Gene in College at the University of Florida. Playing basketball at our apartment complex, Towne Parc, and his dry sense of humor that would always crack me up. The memory of Gene simply makes me smile. I am better for having had the privilege of knowing him. He is missed.
MICHAEL GIBSON
August 06, 2021 | GAINESVILLE, FL | Friend
I served under captain Sole in the early 1990s. He was a fine man and fine Marine. Semper Fi sir! Till Valhalla!
Chris Mark
April 19, 2019 | Houston, TX | Military
Captain Sole sir(as I knew you while you at MCSF Co 1st plt Charleston SC) you were always a great inspiration to me as a US Marine and as a civilian. I will run the 2019 Los Angeles marathon in your honor sir. My condolences to your family and Semper Fi sir, Cpl Archibeque USMC 1988-1992
Philip Archibeque
June 17, 2018 | Arleta, CA
LT COL Gene Sole, my last Commanding Officer in the Marine Corps...and one of the finest. Despite quite a few adversities we had to endure, we had many laughs together and were able to accomplish our mission during Iraqi Freedom for our units deployed troops in 2003. Both of us being teachers , we had a lot in common. I think about you often and miss our professional working relationship and personal friendship. I only regret is that I was unaware of your passing until after the fact....I...
CALVIN CARLSTROM
January 01, 2018 | ROSELLE PARK, NJ | Military
I knew then Capt Sole at MCSF Charleston as I was known as Cpl Lutz. I was under his command when he promoted me meritoriously to Cpl. He was a great leader and remember playing softball with him. I know he met his bride in Charleston. Very sorry for your loss and as I have enjoyed success as a business leader post Marine Corps, I will remain forever in his debt from what I learned from him around leadership. Semper Fi.
Bo Lutz
December 23, 2014 | ALBERTVILLE, MN
I was saddened to hear about LtCol Sole passing. I remember serving in Charleston and he always took care of his Marines in his platoon and even th ones who did not serve in his platoon. My favorite memory of him was we had a Halloween party and he came dressed in a 80's mullet wig, sports jacket, blue jeans, tie dye t shirt, and high tops and claimed he was a civilian. Another memory of him when he presided over a summary court martial in which I was the baliff, he called me Matt Dillion in...
Rickey Starks
September 06, 2013 | SiouxFalls, SD
Great leader ! Was my Captain while I served in USMC In Charleston SC , remember him well , could always count on him making sure we were all great Marines
Semper Fi
L/Cpl Dave Jacobson
David Jacobson
April 29, 2012 | Newark Valley, NY
'Airborne and Semper Gumby', LtCol. Sole! (As he used to say to me after completing Jump School and receiving my Jump Wings shortly after he did. POMFLANT Charleston, SC '88 - '90). Something tells me he is now sky diving and leading a battalion of angels in Heaven. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends who surely feel the loss of a great man and leader.
Dave Kepper
April 29, 2012 | Shawnee, KS
