Douglas D. Cole age 70 of Bethel died February 18, 2022 peacefully in his sleep. He was born in Bethel on August 21, 1951 to Ada L. (Ferry) and Fred F. Cole. He lived in Bethel until November of 1961 when his family moved to West Redding. He graduated from Joel Barlow High School in 1969.
He worked with his father at the family business for his formative years, Bay Window Package Store and West Redding Store, continuing to work there until the business was sold. He would go on to work in retail the majority of his working career.  

As a child he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America in West Redding as well as donating his time to the organization as a scout master in his young adult years. He was also a member of the West Redding Fire Company for a period of time.

He worked hard all his life to help support his family which he raised in Bethel. He was an avid supporter of the American Circus while being a 30 year member of The Circus Fans Association of America. When he wasn’t working he would be taking his family to a circus. 

He was an avid fan of baseball rooting for the New York Mets from the beginning of the franchise. He loved to watch baseball either in person or on TV and would take his kids to minor league games often. 

He was a dedicated fan of the Danbury Racearena and Fair and often attended the races until their closing as well as the many SNYRA reunions that followed.

He will always be remembered as a wonderful father, friend, clown and the world's Greatest Opa to his grand kids and all their friends. He is predeceased by his parents Ada and Fred. He is survived by his three children; Tracy and her husband Eric Gallagher of Carmel, NY and their children Bethany, Morgan, Jared, Nathaniel, Warren and Adyson; Emmett Cole  of Bethel, CT and his children Dane and Baylee; and Courtney and her husband Jason Goodrow of Albany, GA and their children Robert, Caleb, Wesley, Nick and Paul. He is also survived by two sisters Deborah and Donna and multiple nieces and nephews. 

He will be interred at Upawaug Cemetery with his parents at 10 am on April 30th, 2022. His family will be having a celebration of his life on the same day at Stony Hill Fire Station in Bethel from 1-4 (He asked you please wear something red his favorite color). In lieu of flowers a donation to International Elephant Foundation PO Box 366 Azle, TX 76098 www.elephantconservation.org in his name.