The Rev. Dr. David H. Cole, 90, of Brunswick, passed away on June 27 in Hill House, Assisted Living Facility in Bath. He was born in Lynn, Mass. on April 5, 1921, the only son of Lorena and Milton Cole.
Rev. Cole graduated from Lynn English High School (Lynn, Mass.) in 1939; Tufts AB and Crane Theological School STB, 1947; and Institute of Pastoral Care Cert. 1951.
During the first years of his ministry, Rev. Cole helped found The Humiliati, a group of ministers that had significant impact on reforming the Universalist church in its administration and practice. His first ministry was the Unitarian Universalist Church of Danvers, Mass., 1944-49. He was ordained there in 1946.
During his lengthy career he served churches in Illinois, Maryland and Ohio, retiring as minister of the West Shore Unitarian Church, Rocky River (Cleveland) Ohio in 1986 where he was subsequently honored as Minister Emeritus.
Between 1963 and 2007, through summers and, following his family’s move to Edgecomb, Rev. Cole welcomed an invitation to preach at the Midcoast UU Fellowship, Edgecomb, which now meets in the Skidompha Library, Damariscotta.
Throughout his career, Rev. Cole gladly served numerous congregations as interim pastor and served his community through his service with many committees and organizations.
He was a staunch advocate for human rights, serving on the Mayor’s Com. on Human Rights, Chicago, Ill., 1957. He was Vice President, Council Against Discrimination, Chicago and Chairman of the March on Crime, Chicago, 1954-55. In the latter capacity he helped expose the link between Chicago government and organized crime.
Professionally his numerous honors begin with his service as Vice President of the Universalist Church of America; Board – Univ. Service Committee between 1949-56 and continue through his service on the Board Unitarian Universalist Ministers Assoc. between 1987-89.
As a strong proponent of a world community, Rev. Cole traveled to Germany after WWII for the UU Service Committee to help set up housing for displaced children and orphans from the war. After trips to Israel and visits to Arab refugee camps, his attention was re-focused on Palestinian issues.
Rev. Cole served as a Delegate at conferences of the International Association for Religious Freedom in Belgium and Transylvania; participated with aid missions to the Unitarian Church in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and traveled to India, Japan and other nations in the Far East and Europe.
While serving admirably in a lifetime of mostly parish settings, he was instrumental in the founding of and became the first President of the Society of the Larger Ministry, an organization dedicated to advancing chaplaincies and other non-parish community ministries in the Unitarian Universalist Association.
His hobbies were sailing or cruising on the Maine coast in summer, carpentry and gardening, tennis, golf and playing bridge or cribbage with friends. Friendships with his colleagues were most important to him. Each January a retreat with the Fraters of the Wayside Inn was prominently circled on the calendar.
He married Iska Jurasek-Godsey on July 25, 1963 at the Congregational Church on Edgecomb with both families and the seven children attending. “Forty Oakes” on Sheepscot Bay was a great summer home of fun with many visiting friends. Cancer surgery in the spring of 2003 diminished his capacity, but he still managed to do services occasionally for the Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
Eight years later (May 3, 2011), needing total care, he moved into Hill House of Bath until his passing on June 27, with Iska at his side.
Survivors include Iska, the “love of his life” of Brunswick; and family, Lynda and Albert Hurt of Spokane, Wash.; Karen and Monte Edelstein of Newcastle; Cynthia and Lyle Johanson of Spokane, Wash.; Kevin and Katie Godsey of Marble Hill, Mo.; and Gloria Martin with granddaughters, Natalie and Syndey of Wrentham, Mass.; Victoria Staples with partner Victor Pappas of Glen Allen, Va.; Steve Cole of Cleveland, Ohio; grandson, Justin Bickston and Rylee with great-granddaughter, Teagyn of Spokane, Wash.; and grandson, Joshua and Melissa Eager with great-grandsons Ryan and Jason of Richmond, Va.
Memorial service celebration his life, 12 p.m., Sun., July 31 at the Midcoast UU Fellowship at the Skidompha Library, Main St., Damariscotta (after the Sunday service, 10:30-11:30 a.m.). Reception provided by the Fellowship.
