Obituary of Donald Dennis Cole

Donald Dennis Cole died Thursday, September 4, 2014 in Orlando Florida. He was born in Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania and lived almost his entire life in Elmira, New York. He was 89 years old, born June 14, 1925. Don was the only son of Marjorie Dennis Cole and Raymond Thomas Cole. He was predeceased by his parents and an infant sister, Grace Elizabeth Cole. He is survived by his wife, Donna Albertson Cole, four children, Elizabeth (Chris) Cole Powers, Marjorie (Robin) Cole Doane, Lucinda Cole, and Raymond (Raquel) Cole, and six grandchildren: Mark, Kate, Grace, and David Powers, and Cole and Walker Semans. Don graduated from Elmira Free Academy (NY) in 1943. He had enlisted in the Navy Air Corps at age 17 to serve in World War II and was assigned to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for two years of Navy officer training. He was transferred to Columbia University in New York City, where he graduated in 1945 from Midshipman School, with a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served on the ship Astoria and was honorably discharged in 1946. After discharge from the Navy, Don completed his Bachelor of Science from Columbia in 1948, and entered Cornell University Law School, graduating in 1951. He returned to his hometown of Elmira, New York to begin the practice of law, eventually opening his own law practice in the Robinson Building, and sharing offices with Attorney Julius Sbedico and ultimately with Attorney David Mandeville. Don sang in the Hedding Methodist Church choir, where he met Donna Albertson, whom he married in 1956. During his 50 year law career, he served for 27 years as Chief Legal Counsel to the Chemung County Department of Social Services from 1956 to 1983, he was the Research Counsel and Administrative Assistant to State Senator Harry Morton in 1955, he served 10 years on the Board of Directors of Elmira Child and Family Services, three years on the Board of Directors of Finger Lakes National Bank from 1979-1982 and then eight years as Chairman of the Advisory Board of First National Bank of Rochester (Finger Lakes Division) from 1982 - 1989, and he served one year as President of the Chemung County Bar Association from 1988-1989. In the latter part of his law career, he practiced law with Vern Bonsignore, Paul Hart and Steve Forrest. He retired in 2000, and subsequently he and his wife Donna moved to Ithaca, New York and Orlando, Florida. In addition to these professional positions, he served in many volunteer capacities, sometimes chairing or leading community service projects with his wife Donna. He served as the Chairman of the Economic Development Council of the Elmira Chamber of Commerce, member of the Board of Directors of the morning Elmira Rotary Club, President of Elmira Exchange Club and Board of Trustees member, Board of Directors member of the American Cancer Society, member of the Chemung County Planning Board, member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Chairman of Community Chest fund drives, Board of Trustees Member of Westside Methodist Church, Co-Superintendent of Hedding Methodist Church Sunday School with Donna, Lay Leader and Board of Trustees Chair of Hedding, and Co-President of Hoffman School PTA with Donna. He was active in the Ithaca Yacht Club, serving as a member and chairman of the Board of Directors, where he continuously worked on restoring their 1961 wooden hulled Chris Craft cabin cruiser. He also took up flying in his fifties, eventually earning his pilot license. In Orlando, Don and Donna were active in bridge groups, the University Club of Winter Park where they attended many speakers' series, and were season ticket holders for opera and theater productions. Don was also a member of the Williamsburg Singers, and served on the board of trustees of their Homeowners Association for Waterview Reserve in Williamsburg. From 1954 to 1969, Don was active in the Chemung County Republican Party, serving as the Chairman from 1962 to 1969. During those years, the entire family participated in political activities, organizing, stuffing folders, walking neighborhoods and campaigning in and around Chemung County. His children were expected to know American history, understand the United States Constitution, and participate in the American political process. One of Don's proudest achievements was creating a pro bono divorce program for women who are trapped in unhealthy marriages and who cannot afford a divorce. After years of serving as the Chief Legal Counsel for Social Services in Elmira, he encountered many tragic situations with women and children and decided to create a program to address the situation. He started this program in the Chemung County Bar Association and served as the Committee Chair of the Pro Bono Divorce Program from 1988 until his retirement. A service was held In Orlando on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. In Elmira, a service will be held on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 at McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water St., Calling hour will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., a service at 3:00 p.m., and a reception to follow at Hill Top, 171 Jerusalem Hill Road, Elmira. Don will be buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira. Those wishing may remember Don with a donation to the VFW, 246 Horseheads Blvd, Elmira Heights NY 14903.