PRINCETON and ETNA – Clifford “Cliff” Cole, 63, died peacefully Oct. 31, 2010, with his loving brother and sister-in-law by his side, after a series of health issues beginning in August. Cliff was born June 25, 1947, in Etna, son of Olan and Evelyn (Townsend) Cole. Cliff was a gentle spirit who spoke softly and walked lightly on this Earth. In college at the University of Maine, Orono, he taught himself to play guitar and performed in various coffeehouses, was in several one-act plays at the student union and was a social activist. Disillusioned with the college experience, he left with one semester remaining, traveling widely and experiencing life first hand, including a stern man on a lobster boat, a tree planter in Georgia and a pizza cook in Texas to name a few, coming back to buy into a blueberry co-op in Cooper Hill. Falling in love with Washington County, he realized he wanted to become an educator so he went back to college this time at the University of Maine at Machias, graduating summa cum laude with a master’s degree in education. From there, he taught kindergarten through third grade in and around the Princeton/Calais area. He became a foster parent for troubled children and even after retiring from teaching, volunteered at Princeton Elementary School as much as he could. He was an avid organic gardener, supplying neighbors regularly with produce, willing to lend a helping hand whenever he could. He will be greatly missed by the entire community. He is survived by his only brother, Richard Cole and his wife, Lois, of Etna; one aunt, Lois Reed of Carmel; four loving nieces, Dawn Cole Hastings of Superior, Wis., Charleen Cole of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Misty Cole Haggerty of Eliot and Denise Woodhead Metcalf of Steep Falls; two great-nieces, two great-nephews, numerous cousins; his ex-wife, Cathy Farrin of South Bristol; and some very special friends. He was predeceased by his mother, father, many aunts and uncles. A memorial in celebration of his life will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Family Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. A celebration will also be held for his friends in Washington County 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, at Peabody Estates, 67 Main St., Princeton, where he had been residing. A private interment will be held by the family in the near future at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Etna. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
CLIFFORD RAY COLE
