Charles "Chuck" Cole
June 13, 1953 - May 14, 2014
Obituary
MADISON-Charles “Chuck” Cole, age 60, passed away peacefully at Agrace HospiceCare on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 following a three year battle with cancer. He was born on June 13, 1953, to Robert and Dorothy Cole of Pewaukee. He spent most of his life in Madison. Chuck served on the City of Madison Police Department for over 35 years, retiring as an Assistant Chief of Police in 2007. He then spent the next six years working for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and served as the Deputy Secretary in 2011 and 2012. During his law enforcement career, Chuck also worked part time as a Special Conservation Warden for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources from 1982-1997. He dedicated his life’s work to the criminal justice system and service to the public.
Charles was preceded in death by his son, Cory Cole, his brother, Jeffrey Cole, and his father, Robert Cole. His survivors include his beloved wife Leslie (Glasgow) Cole; his two step-children, Robert D’Alessandro and Chelsey (Justin) Negrete and granddaughter, Maisie; his mother, Dorothy (Zuber) Cole; sister, Barbara (Ron) Christensen; sister, Terri (Steve)Umbarger; brother, Todd (Kelly) Cole; brother, Steven (Valerie) Cole; brother, Adam (Teri) Cole; and his “unofficially” adopted daughter, Annika Fries of Berlin, Germany. Chuck has many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Chuck loved spending time with his beautiful family, friends and pets as well as hunting, fishing and enjoying the wonder of the outdoors. His hunting companions fondly called him the “Trail Boss.” He especially loved the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) along the Minnesota/Canada border and enjoyed many summer and fall wilderness fishing and hunting trips throughout that region.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE LIVING CHURCH, 110 N. Gammon Road, Madison at 11 AM on Saturday, May 24, 2014 with the Reverend Daniel C. Kowert presiding. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton from 4 PM until 8 PM on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Friends may also call on Saturday the 24th from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the church. The “Trail Boss” has entered the trail of eternal life. When you think of Chuck may a smile come to your face. Praise be to God. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Living Christ. If you would like to read Chuck's journal "Reflections of Life", you can find it at http://charliechuckcole.blogspot.com. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608)831-6761
Events
Visitation
Thu May 22, 2014 @ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Sat May 24, 2014 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Lutheran Church of the Living Christ (Madison) • 110 N. Gammon Road, Madison, WI null
Photos
No photos of Charles have been shared yet.
Memories
LC
Leslie Cole
Other •
Chuck was my loving husband. He made the last 20 years that we were together so very special. Always a gentleman and truly the love of my life. We were happy and content and grew in our faith together. He mad me a better person just my being with him. My grief is profound as it is difficult for me to look to the future without him. He fought his cancer with grace and dignity, never complaining.I miss him so much and life will not be the same without him. He now rests in Jesus's arm.
Chuck, I love you more than you will ever know.
Love,
Leslie (his wife)
C
Cheryll
Other •
Our son-in-law, Chuck, was a wonderful presence in our family. He was warm and loving to everyone and always had time to interact with the children as well as the adults. He gave so much of himself to others and never asked or expected anything in return. He was generous, kind, caring and never complained about a thing. He was a joy to be around. His love of animals and of nature was a big part of his life. He treasured his family and they loved him because they felt so good in his presence. He had that gift. He was a very special guy and will be in our hearts forever.
Cheryll and Ron Thompson
BS
Beth Saunders-Buss
Other •
Chuck was an exceptional man. Always ready with a smile and a listening ear. I'm honored to have worked with him, but even more so to have had his friendship. He was driven by his love for his family, friends and human kind. There is definitely a whole in the world today where Chuck stood. Leslie & family - please know you are in my prayers~
~Beth Saunders-Buss
TC
Todd Cole
Other •
My Dear Son Chuck,
Christ has taken you to your heavenly home and honorably you said your good-bye. You lived each day to the fullest and gave it one more try.
We miss you, oh so sadly, the rock of our family, we will always see your smile wherever you will be.
The kindness in your blue eyes will always see us through, and son I will always hold your hand untile we are all brand new.
Love and blessings, Mom
(See ya!)
L
Lara
Other •
Dear Cole Family,
I did not know Chuck. I work in the nursing industry. I read obits everyday, to send condolences to families of patients we have cared for. I am thankful to have read about Chuck. Your words of love and especially HIS words in his blog have touched me deeply. I truely feel for your loss and I am comforted by the fact that he is with the Lord. May your many fond memories help your family with this loss. God Bless Chuck.
C
Chelsey
Other •
I am so lucky to have had Charlie in my life as my second father. I will always remember the many times that Charlie took me fishing, camping, and hiking as a little girl. We always had such fun exploring the wilderness and going on many adventures including our big road trip to South Dakota. Charlie always knew the best places to go, including our most recent visit to a great apple orchard in October. Charlie will always be in my heart and I miss him dearly, but I know that I will see him again in what awaits us after life.