John Cole

Born July 2, 1924 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, he grew up in Dorchester and graduated from Boston English High School in 1940.  

At age 18, along with his high school chums, John voluntarily joined the US Army.  In the Army during WWII, he was a radio operator in a B-17 Bomber and flew bombing missions in Europe. It was his knowledge and experience as a radio operator that caused him to pursue a career in the communications industry.  After WWII John began his 45 year career in the telephone industry, first being an installer and then retiring as a District Manager for New England Telephone and Telegraph, which later became AT&T and now Verizon.

In 1945 John married Patricia Louise Churchill. They began their life together in Braintree and eventually moved to South Weymouth where, together, they raised seven children and were happily married until Patricia’s death in 1991. John remained single after Pat’s death noting that she was, and always will be, his one true love. 

John was very active in the Catholic church and was an altar server at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Hanson, Mass for over 30 years.

John is survived by his four remaining children, Kevin Cole of East Ryegate, Vermont, Robert Cole of Campton, New Hampshire, Kathleen Keefe of Hanson, Massachusetts and Elizabeth Jenkins of Erie, Colorado.  His three eldest sons, John M. Cole, Dennis G. Cole and Stephen T. Cole are deceased. John and Pat also shared 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, February 17th from 4:00PM-7:00PM at Sullivan Funeral Home in Hanson - 2 Maquan St. A funeral mass will begin at 11:00AM at Holy Apostles Parish (St. Joseph the Worker) in Hanson - 1 Maquan St. Burial will immediately follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Weymouth.