Cole, Warren D.

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Warren D. Cole, 76, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara A. (Sigley) Cole and the fiancé of Lori Brierly.

Born in Providence, a son of the late H. Warren and Margaret (Bullard) Cole, he attended Rhode Island Junior College from 1966-1967 and Roger Williams Junior College from 1967-1969.

Warren was a United States Army veteran serving from 1969-1971 transferring to the USAR where he served from 1971-1975. He was the recipient of the Expert Badge with Auto Rifle Bar and Grenade Bar. Warren completed Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Threats (CBR) Training for the types of weapons or hazards that can be used in warfare, and which can cause significant harm to military personnel and civilians alike necessitating special protective measures and preparedness strategies.

He worked as a rigger for General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division, Quonset, RI from 1975-1977, for Offshore Oil Rig Western Oceanic Shell Oil from 1977-1980, and for General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division, Groton, CT from 1981-2015. He worked numerous part-time jobs including Eastman Brothers Building Movers from 1967-2020, Warren T. Job Rototilling from 1988-2023, Thielsch Engineering from 1988-1998, Canonicus Camp & Conference Center, Exeter, RI from 1988-1990, and at the Providence Journal, Front Desk Security, from 1988-1990.

Warren had many interests and talents. He was a kind, caring person who lived his life by the tenets of his Christian faith. He was a member and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Asbury United Methodist Church, Warwick. He previously served in several ministry capacities as a member of People's Baptist Church in Cranston.

He was a member of the Rhode Island Greyhound Owner's Association - Twin Rivers; the Pawtuxet Athletic Club, and the East Greenwich Fireman's Association. In 1990, Warren won the Topsfield Fair Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off with "Big Wally" weighing in at 920 lbs.

Warren was also a musician. He played the trumpet and for over 30 years he played the three hymns he learned at many gravesides for family and friends. He also shared his gift as a volunteer playing Taps as a part of military honors being offered for a deceased veteran at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.

In addition to his fiancé, Lori, Warren is survived by his sister Nancy Marion (Bob) and her children Kate Andrew (Ryan) and Eric Brown (Tina). He was the great uncle to three great nephews and three great nieces. Warren is also survived by his stepdaughter Anastacia Conti, three step-grandsons John Wright, Ron Wright and Steve Dobson, and a step-great granddaughter Eliza Conti.

Calling hours will be held at the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Funeral service in Asbury United Methodist Church, 143 Ann Mary Brown Drive, Warwick, Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Inurnment, with military honors, in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter will be private.

Donations in his memory may be made to: Asbury United Methodist Church, 143 Ann Mary Brown Drive, (Warren Cole Memorial Fund), Warwick RI 02888.

Condolences may also be offered and fond memories of Warren shared online at www.barrettandcotter.com.