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Commander Edward Fiscus Cole, Jr., USN, (RET.)
Commander Cole, who passed away December 20, 2025, was born on October 18, 1939 in Houston, Texas and reared in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, the hometown of his parents Edward Fiscus Cole and Carrie Sondles Cole. He graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy and Tufts University where he received his Navy commission from the NROTC Program in 1961.
He saw sea service in destroyers, minesweepers and amphibious ships in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. During the Vietnam era he commanded the coastal minesweeper USS ALBATROSS with additional duty as Commander Mine Division THIRTY-ONE. Ashore, he served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, completed the Admiral Staff Course of the German Armed Forces Command and Staff Academy in Hamburg, Germany and held various responsibilities in the Navy Human Resource Management System. His last assignment was as Watch Officer in the Command Center of the Commander Atlantic Command/Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, Virginia.
Following retirement from the Navy in 1981, Commander Cole was the Director of Naval Science at Admiral Farragut Academy, Pine Beach, New Jersey and later managed the Rappahannock River Yacht Club in Irvington, Virginia until retiring to Nags Head, North Carolina in 1997. His wife of sixty-five years, Polly, their four children Rebecca C. Pyatt of Rock Hill, South Carolina; Kate C. Creef of Manteo, North Carolina; Jennifer C. Montague of Richmond, Virginia and Edward F. Cole, III of Richmond, Virginia; four granddaughters and three grandsons survive him.
Commander Cole’s preference for cremation with no services will be honored. Please express condolences at gallopfuneralservices.com
Condolences
I am very sorry for your family's loss. I was very blessed and thankful to work with Ed and Polly at The Outer Banks Hospital for several years. Ed was an amazing human being who will always have a special place in my heart. I will have a gin and tonic tonight in his memory.
The family of Mr. Cole , Mr Cole was a customer of our seafood market for many years.,We always looked forward to seeing him . Thoughts and prayers to you all . We will miss him ! Sandra Austin, Debbie Austin, Tiffany Simpson and Family.
Ed and I shared Destroyer duty together for over two years and two Western Pacific cruises in the early 60's. He was a fine officer and a fine friend. Smooth seas, following winds and RIP Commander .
I am so deeply sorry to hear of Ed’s passing and my condolences go out to his family. He was a good friend when we were both on CINCLANTFLT staff together.and I am sorry we llost touch.
Dear Polly, Becca, Kate, Jennifer and Ted, So very, very sorry to learn of Ed's death. He was an outstanding officer, gentleman and friend beginning with our time together in HARRY E. HUBBARD and then in BuPers. A real "sailor". Regret that we didn't make a better effort to visit you on the outer banks. He is an individual we will never forget. Please accept our sincerest condolences. Love, Ned and Judy Kuhns. 3100 Shore Drive, Apt 963, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Polly, we are so sorry for you loss. Captain Cole's Albatross wardroom and the formative adventures we shared are the basis for my favorite sea stories. We fondly remember his and your kindness to us in Sasebo and,later, in Pungo. RIP, Captain.
Edward Cole Jr was my C.O. while serving aboard USS Albatross 1967-68. In my estimation, he was a terrific leader of his junior officers and an enlisted crew of about 40 sailors. I had the utmost respect for him and the way in which he presented himself to every man. I am so glad to have reconnected with him many years later and am grateful to have stayed in touch periodically since. I know Ed Cole was very proud of his accomplishments as he served our country and particularly proud of his wife and family. Rest in peace, Captain.
Love and condolences to you, Polly, and so sorry for your loss. Ed and I spent great times together for many years, and I have great memories of him over the decades. I am thinking of you, and am thankful for my long relationship with Ed.
Curtis A. Mitchell I am so sorry for the loss of Captain Cole. He was my C. O. aboard Albatross MSC-289 Sasebo, Japan. He was a great leader and had the respect of all the crew. May the Lord hold his loved ones close and comfort them during this time of loss. Rest in Peace Captain. May you always have fair winds and following seas.
Dear Cole family, we hereby express our heartfelt condolences for your loss. We wish you a lot of strength in the difficult time and are with you in our thoughts. Best regards, Ulla and Udo Stelzer
Dear Cole Family, hearing of Ed's passing away we are very sad and express our sincere condolences. Initially we met at Führungsakademie in Hamburg and kept in touch. We wish you all the best, yours Jutta and Dixi
I am very sorry for your family’s loss. I was very blessed and thankful to work with Ed and Polly at The Outer Banks Hospital for several years. Ed was an amazing human being who will always have a special place in my heart. I will have a gin and tonic tonight in his memory.
The family of Mr. Cole ,
Mr Cole was a customer of our seafood market for many years.,We always looked forward to seeing him . Thoughts and prayers to you all . We will miss him !
Sandra Austin, Debbie Austin, Tiffany Simpson and Family.
Ed and I shared Destroyer duty together for over two years and two Western Pacific cruises in the early 60’s. He was a fine officer and a fine friend. Smooth seas, following winds and RIP Commander .
I am so deeply sorry to hear of Ed’s passing and my condolences go out to his family. He was a good friend when we were both on CINCLANTFLT staff together.and I am sorry we llost touch.
Dear Polly, Becca, Kate, Jennifer and Ted,
So very, very sorry to learn of Ed’s death. He was an outstanding officer, gentleman and friend beginning with our time together in HARRY E. HUBBARD and then in BuPers. A real “sailor”. Regret that we didn’t make a better effort to visit you on the outer banks. He is an individual we will never forget. Please accept our sincerest condolences. Love, Ned and Judy Kuhns. 3100 Shore Drive, Apt 963, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Polly, we are so sorry for you loss. Captain Cole’s Albatross wardroom and the formative adventures we shared are the basis for my favorite sea stories. We fondly remember his and your kindness to us in Sasebo and,later, in Pungo. RIP, Captain.
Edward Cole Jr was my C.O. while serving aboard USS Albatross 1967-68. In my estimation, he was a terrific leader of his junior officers and an enlisted crew of about 40 sailors. I had the utmost respect for him and the way in which he presented himself to every man. I am so glad to have reconnected with him many years later and am grateful to have stayed in touch periodically since. I know Ed Cole was very proud of his accomplishments as he served our country and particularly proud of his wife and family. Rest in peace, Captain.
Love and condolences to you, Polly, and so sorry for your loss. Ed and I spent great times together for many years, and I have great memories of him over the decades. I am thinking of you, and am thankful for my long relationship with Ed.
Curtis A. Mitchell
I am so sorry for the loss of Captain Cole. He was my C. O. aboard Albatross MSC-289 Sasebo, Japan. He was a great leader and had the respect of all the crew. May the Lord hold his loved ones close and comfort them during this time of loss. Rest in Peace Captain. May you always have fair winds and following seas.
Dear Cole family, we hereby express our heartfelt condolences for your loss. We wish you a lot of strength in the difficult time and are with you in our thoughts. Best regards, Ulla and Udo Stelzer
Dear Cole Family, hearing of Ed’s passing away we are very sad and express our sincere condolences. Initially we met at Führungsakademie in Hamburg and kept in touch. We wish you all the best, yours Jutta and Dixi