Dr. Phillip A. Cole '50

He was born in Portland, on Jan. 9, 1932, the son of Hiram S Cole and Lyndell S Bailey Cole of Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough.

He graduated from Fryeburg Academy, class of 1950, where he met his future wife, Charlotte Wentworth Clemons. They were married on Sept. 10, 1952. He attended Bowdoin College for a year before transferring to Boston University where he received a B.S., M.A., and PhD. He then became a teaching fellow and instructor before going to USM to teach for 56 years.

"Dr. Cole was very involved in the emergence of USM with Gorham State Teachers College and contributed to University committees ranging from Curriculum Review and Personnel Recruitment to the Personnel Policies Committee. In this position he played a major role establishing structural, organizational, and instructional policies that are part of the University's foundation today" (USM).

Dr. Cole coached the USM Tennis team for over 40 years and was inducted into the USM Husky Hall of Fame in 2012.
Phil received the Professor Emeritus of History award when he retired from USM after 56 years of service, a longer period than any other professor in the University of Maine System.

Phil was an athlete, outdoorsman and loved spending time in the woods and fields - hiking and exploring with his family.
He is predeceased by his brother, Wallace B Cole. Phil leaves behind his wife Charlotte of 65 years; his daughters, Dulcie Hayes and her husband, Timothy Hayes of Scarborough, Penny Skillin and her husband George Skillin of Kennebunk, and son, Dr. Bert Cole of North Hampton, N.H.; nine grandchildren, Chris, Brad, Phil, Jennie, Sarah, Nat, Ben, Rachel and Rebecca; and a brother-in-law, Hubert Clemons.

Special thanks go to the caring staff of South Portland Nursing Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to:
Alzheimer's Association
383 U.S. Route 1, Suite 2c
Scarborough, ME 04074