Robert Russell Cole, Sr.

Robert Russell Cole, Sr., 82 passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy.

Bob was born in Troy, NY at Samaritan Hospital on November 2, 1942 and was the son of the late William Mansfield Cole and Margaret C. (Hanson) Cole Loomis.

Our dad loved life, and especially loved his wife, Carol, who he married in 1982. He retired from Norton Company in Watervliet, NY in 2002 after working there for 38 years. One of the things he enjoyed doing the most was spending time with his family at the family camp in Wanakena/Cranberry Lake, NY, where he has been going since he was born. His father built the camp on the Oswegatchie River in 1930. He enjoyed ballroom dancing with his wife, hunting with his family and friends, white water canoe racing with his wife, Carol, his brother, daughter and son, boating, gardening, photography, fishing, tennis, golf, going on vacations to Virginia Beach, Florida and Las Vegas. He was also a member of the Colonie Elks Club for many years where he enjoyed being part of the dart league. He enjoyed the holidays and gatherings with the family and taking pictures to capture those memories (13,000+ photographs). The last few years of his life were years well-spent with his wife Carol at home. Though a lot of his time was spent at dialysis and at doctor’s appointments, Bob, Sr. and Jr. enjoyed watching football on TV and jeopardy together and reminiscing about the old days. This was a special time in both their lives that brought them closer together. During the last 24 hours of his life, Bob Sr. put his faith in Jesus Christ, and now he is in the presence of his Savior for all eternity. He will be greatly missed by all. 

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Carol J. (Quiggle) Cole; son, Robert Russell Cole, Jr. (Carolyn); daughter, Tracie Lynn Johnson; stepdaughter, Lori DiPace (David Coon); sisters-in-law, Lenora J. Kent and Barbara Labombard (Mike); grandchildren, Zachary Robert Cole, Samantha Jane Blackburn (Nicholas), Megan Leigh Herman (Adam), Andrea Judith Cole (Nick Hodges) and Rachel Ann Cole and their mother, Marta Foster Cole; Daniel DiPace, Jr. (Anna), Alonna Reyes (Dakota) & Vienna Silvia and their father John Silvia; Beau DiPace (Deanne), Blake DiPace (Samantha), Tanner DiPace, and Walker DiPace; nieces, Christina Cole and Tammy Dowen Hoke (Cory Shimkus); great nephews, Raleigh Powell and Casey Cole; 11 great grandchildren, and several aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, William Mansfield Cole, Sr. and Margaret C. Cole Loomis, Bob was predeceased by step-father, Fay Loomis; mother and father-in-law, Emma Quiggle and Glen Quiggle; brother and sister-in-law, William C. and Theresa Cole; son, David Wayne Cole; step-daughter, Donna White; brother-in-law, Dale Kent; nephew, William M. Cole; sons-in-law, Daniel DiPace, Sr. and Dale Johnson; and nephew, Adam Knapp.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 21st, from 10 to 11 a.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Road, Watervliet, NY 12189. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment, Memory Gardens in Colonie.

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