Karl Cole passed away peacefully on July 15 in Waldoboro surrounded by his loved ones.
Karl was born May 26, 1941 in Syracuse, N.Y., the son of Kenneth Elton Cole and Katherine Bertha Vogt Cole. He grew up in Warners, N.Y. where he served as a young organist for the Warners Methodist Church. He graduated from West Genesee High School.
At the age of 19, Karl began entertaining audiences all over the country. He performed in 30 states, Canada, and Mexico. He had his own radio show in Syracuse, N.Y. and broadcasted a Christmas Pipe Organ show for National Public Radio.
He was concert artist for Wurlitzer Co.; organist for American Airlines Sky Chef’s Restaurant (at age 18); organist for the Cincinnati Reds, and Principal Organist and Music Director for 11 years at a 500 seat pipe organ restaurant in Ohio. In 1990 Karl was a featured artist for the American Theater Organ Society convention and selected judge for the young organist competition in 1990 & 1993.
As a recording artist Karl recorded several albums. One album was selected to be used in the U.S. Air Force Chapels throughout the U.S.A. As a recording producer, he was acknowledged for his novel ideas in the recording industry and considered “One of the finest organist/vocalist in the country”.
Moving to Florida in the 1990s, Karl owned the Medley Restaurant in Pompano Beach where he also entertained at seven electronic keyboards. In 1980, he became the organist on a restored theater organ in Warren, Mich. After a brief interlude of helping his nephew in New York, Karl served as an administrator, music director, organist, and choir director for The Lely Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida until 2014.
Karl moved to Maine in 2014 to be with his family until his death.
Karl was predeceased by his parents; brother, Paul; and aunts, whom he dearly loved.
He is survived by brother, David and wife Sue of Waldoboro; nephews, John Cole and wife Ruta of New York, Christopher Cole, Gabriel Cole and wife Misty, Nathaniel Cole and wife Shannon, all of Maine; nieces, Elizabeth Sheehan and husband John, Maria Cole, and Sarah Cole and husband Kyle Parrish, all of Massachusetts; and many great- nieces and nephews. Karl loved being Uncle Karl.
A memorial service for Karl will be held at 4 p.m., Sat., Sept. 12 at the First Baptist Church in Waldoboro.
