Dover-Foxcroft – Jerry Hugh Cole, 74, passed away peacefully June 20, 2023, at his home at Sebec Lake with family by his side. He was born February 10, 1949, in Dover-Foxcroft, the son of Hugh F. and Hattie M. (Libby) Cole. Jerry attended schools in Dover-Foxcroft and graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1967, where he was part of the undefeated football team of 1967. In 1969, he graduated from Plus-Gray’s School of Business in Portland. Jerry was an entrepreneur. He started several successful businesses in the area. He was well liked and well known and an acute businessman. In 1972, he started a paint contracting business and soon added wallpapering, insulation, replacement windows, and floor sanding. He was an excellent wallpaperer and was much in demand in the town. In 1991, he and his wife Debra bought the Agway store in Dover-Foxcroft. Being a people person, he enjoyed the retail business and referred to himself and the store dog, Katie, as the “public relations” part of the store. After retirement he had several rental properties that kept him busy. Always cheerful and upbeat, never a complaint, he fought the pancreatic cancer that took his life just as he fought throughout his life to be successful, with grace, dignity, humor and love. He was a member of the Dover-Foxcroft United Methodist Church and was chairman of the Trustees for many years, taking excellent care of the church. He was loved by all of his church family. Jerry was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He looked forward to his fishing trip with John McKusick each Spring up at Second West Branch Camps, which they had been doing for 40 years. Jerry was always a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time at the lake with his family for family gatherings, boat rides, fireworks, etc. Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Debra (Conley) Cole; son, Thomas Cole and his wife, Andrea, of Gorham ; daughter, Tara Bolduc and her husband, Patrick, of Lisbon Falls; two sisters, Patsy Mallett and her husband, Neil, of Dover- Foxcroft, and Gloria Schmitt and her husband, Robert, of Tavares, Florida; four grandchildren, Samantha Bolduc Bard and her husband, Trace, of Lisbon Falls, Cole Bolduc of Lisbon Falls, Grayson Cole and Liam Cole of Gorham; five step-grandchildren, Brittany Fadley and her children, Carter and Sydney of Hollywood, Florida, Mitchell Fadley and his wife, Melyssa, and their son, Holden, of Levant, Cameron Fadley of Boston, Madison Fadley of New York City, and Jamie Bolduc and her children, Bella and Brody, of Lisbon; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jerry was predeceased by his half brother, Charlie Cole. Visitations will be held 6-8PM Thursday, June 22, at the Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft. A memorial service will be held 11AM Friday, June 23, at the Dover-Foxcroft United Methodist Church, with Pastors Jim and Alice Mello officiating. After the service a luncheon reception will be held in the reception hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Dover-Foxcroft UMC at PO Box 62, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426. Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.