Hafford Cole

Jamestown, RI - Hafford Cole, 83, of 67 Cole Street Jamestown, RI, died Friday, February 6, 2004 at Newport Hospital Newport, RI.He was the husband of the late Viola Jones Cole. Born in Antonine, AR on June 1, 1920. Mr. Cole went to work in a metal parts production plant until World War II. He enlisted in the Navy and was stationed on several ships and at shore commands for 20 Years. Mr. Cole spent the last 10 years of his service at the Quonset Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. He rose to the rank of first class petty officer before retiring from the Navy in 1963. After his retirement he went to work for a local construction company, but maintained his ties to the Navy by moonlighting as a barber at the Quonset Navy Exchange NEX. After Quonset was closed he transferred to the Newport NEX, where he was a fixture for the next 23 years. He left the Exchange in 1994, feeling that hed done his share of 40 hour work weeks. Mr. Coles easy manner and pleasant chatter reflected a lifetime tied to the Navy and service to others. Simple comments lead to a sea story about his experiences boxing in the ?smokers? aboard ship years ago. His absence was felt through out the Newport Navy community by the many officers and enlisted men with whom hed become more than just a barber. When SWOS opened its own command barber shop in 1995 there was no question who would be the best choice as the first barber. He retired in 2001. He is survived by his son Hafford Cole Jr. of Brunswick, ME, four daughter Ophelia Jacobs of Jamestown, RI, Catherine Whitmire of Newport, RI, Tina Warner of Seattle, WA, and Marianna Cole of Jamestown, RI, thirteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.He was the father of the late James Lee Cole and was also preceded by eleven brothers and sisters. His funeral will be held on Monday, February 9, 2004, at 10:00 AM in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in Cedar Cemetery in Jamestown.