Ford W. Cole

 

It is with deepest sorrow that our family shares the news that Ford W. Cole, our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away on March 31, 2023, at the age of 78.

Ford was born on February 6, 1945, to Audley W. Cole and Geraldine Ruth Vining Cole in Queens, New York. Ford was often heard to say, “The way I lived, I never figured I’d make it this long.” His loving (and patient) wife Jackie agreed with that statement. He dearly loved his wife, Jackie, and his family: sons Matthew (Julie) of Dover, NH, and Derek (Laurel) of Louisville, CO; his four grandchildren, who were his pride and joy: Cameron Cole, Caitlin Cole, Theodore Cole, and Elowen Cole. He is also remembered by his sister, Adele Evinson, (he gave her “noogies”), his brother Ronald Cole, and his brother-in-law, Jonathan (Adrianna). Ford is also survived by his first wife, Linda Cole, who has been a wonderful mother to his two sons and a good friend throughout his life, and his dog and daily companion on his errand runs, Lacey.

Ford graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont and then went on to serve as a U.S. Navy Officer in Vietnam and Washington, D.C. After military service, Ford served his country for 29 years as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Ford’s first office of assignment upon completing New Agents Training was in Detroit, MI; he attended language training (Italian/Sicilian) school in Monterrey, CA, and thereafter transferred to the New York Office where he worked Organized Crime and Criminal matters. In 1980, he was assigned to the New Haven, CT, field office, where he commanded the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, was the Principal Firearms Instructor, worked Criminal and Foreign Counterintelligence cases, and served as the Employees Assistance Program Coordinator, assisting FBI employees with various personal crisis problems, until his retirement on July 31, 1999. Ford earned a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and served as an Adjunct Instructor in Criminal Justice at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.

Ford’s love of sports translated into coaching young people, including his sons, for many years in community soccer, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse in Fairfield, CT. He played an integral role in starting the Fairfield Strikers Soccer Association and the Wakeman Boys/Girls Club Travel Lacrosse Team. He continued this passion by coaching varsity and junior varsity football, basketball, and lacrosse at the Hopkins School in New Haven, where he reveled in being the “Grumpy Old Man” and was beloved by many of the students.

Ford enjoyed the challenge of a daily crossword puzzle and researching his family history on Ancestry, all while watching reruns of old TV shows (especially westerns such as Gunsmoke and Bonanza). He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, L.A. Dodgers, Boston Bruins, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers. He found the most joy in planning and sharing travel adventures with his wife Jackie. Every year, Ford would take her on a tropical getaway to temporarily escape the New England winter. Many of those winter getaways included two weeks at their timeshare in Maui which they shared with friends over the years.  In the summer, they would be off to visit many of our country’s national parks where they would hike and take in the beauty of God’s creation, share a good meal, and just enjoy being together.

Ford’s love of the Lord moved him to give more of himself. He served as a Deacon and Church President at the First Congregational Church of Cheshire. He also loved assisting church family members in their time of crisis as a Stephen Minister. Ford was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and the Masonic Temple Lodge #16 in Cheshire, where he served as Chaplain for many years.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 27th, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main Street. A celebration of Ford’s life, with military honors, will be held at the First Congregational Church of Cheshire, 111 Church Drive, Cheshire, CT, at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, April 28, 2023.  His remains will be buried, at the convenience of the family, at the Massachusetts National Cemetery on Cape Cod, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Deacons’ Memorial Fund, First Congregational Church, 111 Church Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410, or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate.