James E. Cole
October 13, 1938 ~ July 6, 2016
Jim peacefully passed away surrounded by his family at home in Vienna, VA on July 6, 2016 of congestive heart failure. He was pre-deceased by his parents James V. and Clara Cole, brother Rev. William Cole, S.M., and sisters Catherine Coleman, and Frances Fiordeliso. He was the beloved husband of Patricia Carmody Cole of almost 50 years, the devoted father of James V. Cole II of Washington, D.C.; Erin Cole Lau (Wayne) of Leesburg, VA; Eileen M. Cole of Vienna, VA; and Katie Cole Faircloth (Tyson) of Fairfax, VA, the loving grandfather of Katie, Mary, and Maggie Cole, Cole, Tyson Jr., and Grant Faircloth, and Matthew and Gavin Lau, and loving brother of Mary Corcoran of St. Louis, MO; Dorothy Maier (Tom) of Marietta, GA; and Pat Shipley (Tom) of St. Louis, MO and was the caring uncle of 43 nieces and nephews.
He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Xavier High School and Fordham University with his BA and JD. He was a proud member of the Ironworkers union for over 59 years. Among many jobs, he worked on the World Trade Center and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in New York City while attending law school at night. He served as an officer of the union for decades, eventually retiring as the General Secretary of the Ironworkers International. He worked tirelessly and endlessly for the union's members and their families, always championing the rights of those who would otherwise have no voice. His volunteer work for the Peace Meal program at St. Aloysius Gonzaga was a natural extension of his lifetime of caring and providing for others.
He was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Parish in Vienna, VA for 44 years where he attended daily Mass. He was also a 4th Degree Knight of Council 9053, Knights of Columbus in Ocean City, MD where he enjoyed much of his retirement with close friends and family. In the Jesuit tradition, he was a man for others with great love in action. He generously served his family, innumerable friends, workers and their families, and the less fortunate with respect, kindness, and his ever-present humor. The world was immeasurably better off with him in it, and he will be forever missed.
The family will receive friends at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Road, Vienna, VA on Monday, July 11 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. The family will also receive friends on Tuesday, July 12 from 9:30 until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. There will be a reception to follow after service.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Peace Meal Ministry at Holy Redeemer Church via check and mail to: Peace Meal Ministry, 23 Valerian Ct., Rockville, Md. 20852 or to Capital Caring Hospice, a non-profit, online at http://www.capitalcaring.org/join-us/donate/
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Xavier High School and Fordham University with his BA and JD. He was a proud member of the Ironworkers union for over 59 years. Among many jobs, he worked on the World Trade Center and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in New York City while attending law school at night. He served as an officer of the union for decades, eventually retiring as the General Secretary of the Ironworkers International. He worked tirelessly and endlessly for the union's members and their families, always championing the rights of those who would otherwise have no voice. His volunteer work for the Peace Meal program at St. Aloysius Gonzaga was a natural extension of his lifetime of caring and providing for others.
He was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Parish in Vienna, VA for 44 years where he attended daily Mass. He was also a 4th Degree Knight of Council 9053, Knights of Columbus in Ocean City, MD where he enjoyed much of his retirement with close friends and family. In the Jesuit tradition, he was a man for others with great love in action. He generously served his family, innumerable friends, workers and their families, and the less fortunate with respect, kindness, and his ever-present humor. The world was immeasurably better off with him in it, and he will be forever missed.
The family will receive friends at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Road, Vienna, VA on Monday, July 11 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. The family will also receive friends on Tuesday, July 12 from 9:30 until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. There will be a reception to follow after service.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Peace Meal Ministry at Holy Redeemer Church via check and mail to: Peace Meal Ministry, 23 Valerian Ct., Rockville, Md. 20852 or to Capital Caring Hospice, a non-profit, online at http://www.capitalcaring.org/join-us/donate/
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. We have known him and his family for over 40 years. He visited our hotel in Vermont since 1975 and we became friends through the years. He was certainly one of a kind….we loved his stories and we loved him. He is intrinsically linked with our memories of guests who became extra special to us with the passing of the years. We will miss seeing him this summer and forever more.
I’m really saddened to hear of my brother Ironworker’s death. Jim was an extraordinary man. There are thousands in the labor union community and beyond who will mourn deeply his passing as his was a life of service, love, compassion and excellence. May he rest in peace. My sincerest sympathies and condolences to Jim’s family.
Jim was a great friend of ours and we always enjoyed his company. We looked forward to seeing him on his visits to Newfoundland and Labrador and when we encountered him on conferences that we mutually attended. I first met Jim in 1969 when he worked on the World Trade Centre in New York City. At lunch time we both dined at the same Irish bar. We shared many stories and jokes and it really lightened up the workday. Our careers took a similar path which allowed me to enjoy his company more than I would have had the opportunity to otherwise. On one of his visits to Newfoundland, he arrived with his cousin, Len Mahoney, who was also a good friend of mine. We really enjoyed the time together. We went out for a day fishing on the ocean. We only caught one small cod fish, but it was a great day with wonderful friends. I have many fond memories of our times together and was very saddened to hear of his passing. Our sincere condolences to Pat, James, Erin, Eileen, Katie and families.
Remembering Mr. Cole and his always smiling face and friendly “hello” as he passed by my desk on his way to see Mr. Robertson. Sending my condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.