George Pierce Cole, 83, of Newcastle, passed away on Sept. 19 at Maine Medical Center in Portland. George was born in Wakefield, Mass. on March 16, 1929, the son of Raymond Thurber and Isa Edna (Pierce) Cole. His family moved to Maine when he was two years old.
George attended local schools and spent his early summers on Monhegan Island with his grandfather. He graduated as an honor student from Lincoln Academy in 1946. He later received his BS degree, summa cum laude, in physics and mathematics from what is now the University of Southern Maine.
George married Arlene Ina McCurda on June 16, 1950. They had met while students at Lincoln Academy, and thus, Lincoln held a special place for them. They lived almost next door to the school and had many connections with it. In 1998 George was chosen its “Alumnus of the Year.” Arlene was chosen its “Alumna of the Year” in 2005. George was very proud of the fact that they were the only married couple to have been so honored.
George worked with his father in the family business of Cole’s Woodcrafts. They made wooden boats and novelties for gift shops up and down the coast. After his father’s death, George moved the shop to his home, and he and Arlene ran the business as partners.
George was drafted in the Korean War in 1952. He was accepted into the then, new guided missile program, and after a year of schooling was an instructor in the Corporal Missile guidance system at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. After his release from active service they returned to Newcastle. He continued in the inactive reserves for six years.
George was not content with one business. He spent part time in electronics, repairing televisions and radios. He became interested in metal work, and built up a machine shop at his shop. He was known throughout the area for special projects he did for people, such as repairing the bell in the belfry at Lincoln Academy so the students could ring it when they won team championships. For several years he taught the physics and chemistry laboratories at Lincoln Academy under Principal Nelson Bailey, and taught shop briefly at Bristol High School.
He was active in town affairs, serving on the budget committee, planning board, appeals board, comprehensive plan committee and filled in as ballot clerk. He was on the committee for building the new firehouse on the River Road, and was on the school committee for nine years. He was a life member of the Newcastle Historical Society, past president and on the museum committee.
He was an active Grange member. He joined Bunker Hill Grange in 1946, was its master on several occasions, and its treasurer for about 35 years. When Bunker Hill Grange gave up its charter, he transferred to Willow Grange. He was a member of Lincoln Pomona, where he served as treasurer and was on the Executive Committee at the time of his death. He was a member of the State Grange and the National Grange, which he joined in 1948.
George was a family man. When the children were growing up they enjoyed camping trips each August before the start of school in the fall. As he grew older, he spent much time during summer months at their cottage on Damariscotta Lake where he enjoyed his extended family and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents; as well as sister, Althea Cole Lord.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Arlene; children, Marjorie Turner and husband James, Raymond Cole, and Dorothy Dinsmore and husband Thomas; grandchildren, Samuel and Isaac Turner, Neila and George Cole, and Louise and Ellen Dinsmore; step-grandchildren, Warren Turner and Amy, Francine Briggs and Simon, Nathan and Emily Turner; step-great-grandchildren, Norman and Lee-Frances Briggs, and Devin Turner; niece and nephew, Carole Lord and Victor Lord and wife Susan; sister-in-law, Margaret Hilton; as well as several cousins.
Funeral service 2 p.m., Fri., Sept. 28 at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle. Burial will be in Pine Knoll Cemetery in Newcastle.
If desired, donations may be made to the Newcastle Historical Society, marked Scholarship Fund, c/o Elizabeth Evans, Sec., PO Box 482, Newcastle, ME 04553.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
