Obituary of Thomas W. Cole

Thomas W. Cole, 88, of Freehold Township died Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Applewood Healthcare Center, Freehold Township. Mr. Cole was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and had resided in Freehold since 1969. He was drafted in the U.S. Army at age 22 and assigned to 4745 Co. A, 5th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division and arrived in Korea in 1951. He was separated from his company and while attempting to rejoin them was severely wounded and captured on May 17, 1951. He was held as a prisoner of war until his release in August, 1953. He received the Purple Heart Award, Prisoner of War Medal, Korean War Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, United Nations Service Medal, and State of New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal. Mr. Cole was a stagehand and member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, New York City. He was employed at NBC-TV in New York City before his retirement in September, 1990. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church and a member of American Legion Post No. 54, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4374, and B.P.O.E Lodge No. 1454, all of Freehold. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Cole in 2000, and a daughter Linda in 1971. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Cole Jr. and wife Barbara, Freehold; a daughter, Nancy V. Carlin and husband Thomas, Charlotte, N.C.; two grandchildren, Brittany Harrington Carlin and Sean Patrick Carlin; and a sister, Grace Colton. The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. B.P.O.E services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Memorial donations to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association would be appreciated.