Obituary of Richard Alan Cole

Richard Alan Cole, 77, died peacefully May 27, 2012 in the company of family and friends at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital. For the past 12 years he had made his home with his daughter Katherine and her family in Centerbrook and Deep River. Born January 11, 1935 in Hartford to Elizabeth Moffat Cole and David Cole, he grew up in Hartford before serving with the US Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956 in Korea and Japan. Following his discharge in 1956, he went to work for the Davey Tree Expert Company of Kent, Ohio where he was employed until 1968. During that time he attended and then taught for several years at the Davey Institute of Tree Surgery at Kent State University. For two years he supervised the landscaping at the Johnsonville restoration project in Moodus; returning to the Davey Company in 1970. In 1983 he started his own business, Landscapes, which he ran until his death. He was justly proud that his chosen work made the world a more beautiful and orderly place. He leaves his companion of many years, Linda Trawick of Old Saybrook, his two daughters, Katherine Cole Brake, her husband, Dennis Brake and their daughter Alexandria Brake of Deep River, Jennifer Budlong Cole and her husband, Ben Smith, of Manassas, Virginia, his sister Muriel Bendzinski of Newington and many loving nieces and nephews. His parents and his brothers, Tom, Sam and Earl Cole and his sisters, Ethel Cole, Hazel Miles, Shirley Rondinone and Betty Belles, predeceased him. In addition to family, he leaves his dear friends Sandy Lohmeyer of Clinton, Bob Chester and Nancy Larson of Old Lyme and furry friends, Boo, Otis and Mei Ling. As his granddaughter, Alex, was growing up he took great pleasure in sharing his love of the natural world with her. She will always look for small treasures along stream beds and beaches and think of him. For many years he enjoyed the comradery and the music of the Essex Sailing Masters of 1812. He will be missed by all who knew him. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 1st from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook. Military Honors will be rendered at 6:45PM. A memorial gathering will be held celebrating Richard's gardens on June 17th. Please contact the family for further details. Memorial contributions in Richard's name may be made to the Essex Land Trust, P.O. Box 373, Essex, CT 06426. To share a memory or send a condolence to Richard's family please visit www.rwwfh.com