Zachary M. Cole

CASTLETON - Zachary Michael Cole, 19, of Castleton, died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at Rutland Regional Medical Center.
He was born Feb. 4, 1999, to Michael and Tracey (Ferguson) Cole, in Rutland, Vermont. He lived his entire life in Castleton and attended the Castleton Elementary and Village schools. He most recently graduated with the Class of 2018 from Fair Haven Union High School.
Zachary had the most beautiful smile. He would light up the room as soon as he entered it. He was a hard-working young man. He was employed at Brown's Auto Salvage where he would work before and after school each day. When he was younger, he spent his summers working at Camara Slate. He was known to say "money is free, you just have to work for it!" And that he did. He spent his money and time with his treasured truck. He was always adding or removing parts and accessories. He loved taking anything apart and putting it back together. He also spent a lot of his time working on his RC gas-powered cars. Zach was funny, helpful and caring.
Survivors include parents Mike and Tracey and his beloved sister, Zoey, all of Castleton; grandparents Donald and Debbie Cole, of South Glens Falls, and Tucker and Debra Ferguson, of Rutland; great-grandmother Elaine Dydo, of West Rutland; aunts and uncles Matthew Cole, of Poultney, Christopher (Uncle Muff) and Kate Cole, of Fair Haven, Michelle Ferguson and Kim Ferguson, both of Proctor, and Ashley Ferguson, of Rutland; cousins Payton Cole and her daughter, Rose, of Whitehall, Mattison and Trevor Cole, of Chittenango, NY, Isabelle, Lillyann and Charlie Cole, of Fair Haven, Landon, Carter and Wyatt Travis, of Rutland. He is also survived by his special cousin, Riley Coombs, who was one of his very best friends. Zach leaves behind his four-legged friend, Mack, who already misses the sound of his truck pulling in the driveway.
While those Zach left behind struggle with his passing, please take comfort in knowing he was welcomed to heaven by his grandmother, Maggie Cole. Their bond was like no other and we have some peace knowing they are now together.
As big as his smile was, his heart was even bigger. While his life was short, the lessons he taught us were large. Be kind, work hard, recognize what is important in life and love each other.
Calling hours for Zachary will be held Tuesday, Aug. 21, at the Durfee Funeral Home in Fair Haven from 4 to 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Castleton. A reception celebrating his life will follow at the Castleton American Legion Hall, 378 Route 4A West, Castleton, VT.
Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made in his memory to Mission 22-United In The War Against Veteran Suicide at http://www.mission22.com/memorial or Mission 22 at 1800 Blankenship Road, Suite 200, West Linn, OR 97068.
"Keep rollin' coal Cole"