Jesse H. Cole

October 4, 2023

Jesse H. Cole

PETERSHAM- Jesse H. Cole, 82, of Shaw Road, died unexpectedly on Tuesday morning, October 3, 2023 at Athol Hospital after being stricken ill.

Born in Newark, Vermont on March 13, 1941, he was the son of Charles and Nettie (Domina) Cole and spent his early years in Vermont.

Jesse served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1957.

On October 7, 1994, Jesse married Martha (LaPointe) and enjoyed 29 years together.

A truck driver, Jesse had worked for Earl R. Drew & Son General Contractors, Porter Transportation and Joseph Mallet Excavating.

Jesse was an avid fisherman and enjoyed children, especially babies that he could squeeze their cheeks and laugh. Following a stroke on March 24, 2012 that put him in a wheelchair, he didn’t let that stop him from traveling all around the roads of Petersham on his motorized wheelchair.

Jesse was an inventor and held several patents and trademarks along with copyrights to several songs he wrote.

He was a member of the Pequoig Detachment Marine Corps as well as the Rolling Thunder VT1.

In 2010, Jesse organized and traveled in his “Model T Crossing America” that he traveled from the East coast to the West coast bringing attention to the Model T as well as veterans.

Jesse is survived by his wife, Martha Cole of Petersham; his children, Ricky Limlaw (Diane) of Derby, VT, Lisa Miller (Reese) of Virginia Beach, VA, Tammy Chase of  Kentucky, Eric Cole (Jody) of Warwick, Neil Bates and Tracy LeBlanc (Nick), all of Petersham; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.  He also leaves his siblings, Charlotte Griffin of Virginia Beach, VA, Barbara Cole of Lyndonville, VT, Charles Cole (Rachel) of Lunenburg, VT and  Clate Cole (Sharon) of Kannapolis, NC.

Besides his parents, Jesse was predeceased by a son, Jesse Cole, on March 6, 2021, and three sisters, Nettie “Mina” Jakola, Rosemary Wheeler, and Shirley Rivers.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 3-5 p.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

There are no formal services.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Jesse’s name to Life Path, 101 Munson St #201, Greenfield, MA 01301.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book and directions at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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