Lyle Cole
Longtime Kasilof resident, Mr. Lyle Douglas Cole died Monday, March 9, 2015 at Leah and Bob Handley’s home, where he was being lovingly cared for.
A memorial mass was held March 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
Lyle was born Nov. 22, 1930 in Kasilof, to Milton and Marion Cole at the fox farm established by his grandparent’s Perry and Lillian Cole at what is now the Pollard’s place. As a result of the rapid decline of the fox fur industry and because his mother didn’t like living in Alaska, his parents moved with Lyle and his sister Ramona back to their original home in Alder Creek, New York in 1932. His sister Jetty was born in New York and in 1936 the family moved to San Fernando, Calif. where his brother Russell was born.
Lyle graduated from high school in San Fernando in 1948. In 1949, he and a friend drove up the Alaska Highway in a 1929 Chevy with a homemade tent trailer. In 1950-51, he worked at Libby’s Cannery in Kenai and was an engineer on the power scow Beaver, skippered by his uncle, Comer Cole.
In 1951, Lyle was drafted into the army and sent to fight in Korea where he was almost killed by a sniper. At the age of 84, he finally received his Purple Heart in the mail — but didn’t bother to open it. He survived serious injuries, which resulted in permanent damage to his right arm. After his recovery and discharge from the army, Lyle attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks for two years, and then went on to the University of Washington where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. His heart was still in Alaska, so he returned to live there permanently.
Lyle worked at the Kenai Wards Cove Cannery in the summers, and in 1962, he built his own house and shop by the Kasilof River in Kasilof. He resided there the rest of his life.
Lyle was caretaker at the Kasilof Cemetery for many years, and was proud of the appearance that he was able to maintain there. He belonged to the Chevy Corvair Club and worked on many of them, as well as other car projects over the years. He was always designing and modifying cars. Lyle loved music and played various types of guitars, which he practiced daily. He enjoyed making trips to visit family in California, Oregon, Washington and Canada. He also saw the many friends he had made over the years.
Lyle was a lifelong bachelor, and is survived by his sisters Ramona Mathews of Sweet Home, Ore., Jetty Morton of Suquamish, Wash. and brother Russell (Frances) Cole of Kensington, Prince Edward Island, Canada, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Leprosy Missions, One ALM Way, Greenville, SC 29601.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel and Crematory. Please view Lyle’s online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.