Richard W. “Dick” Cole,Sr.

Richard W. “Dick” Cole,Sr., 93, of Sheridan, NY, passed away Sunday Sept. 7, 2025 at Brooks Memorial Hospital. Dick was born in Buffalo on Feb. 23,1932, son of the late Richard W. and Martha (Delp) Cole. He attended a one-room schoolhouse as a child and attended schools in Brocton, Fredonia, Cassadaga Valley, Pine Valley, and received his GED at Fredonia. He was employed at AL Tech Specialty Steel for 30 years, while also work ing at The Harry Salhoff Lumber Co. in Fredonia and operating his grape farms. After retiring from AL Tech, he served as vice president of the SOAR Group of Dunkirk. Dick has been married to the former Lorraine B. (Sperry) Cole for 41 years and together they owned and operated R&L Cole Gravel & Top soil Business for many years. He built five complete homes in the Fredonia area and remodeled numerous homes in the Fredonia – Dunkirk area. He also built a 70- by 140-foot steel riding arena on East Main Road where he and Lorraine owned, raised and trained Registered Quarter Horses for many years. He was a very active member of The Fredonia Methodist Church for many years, serving on the district guild and grounds committees. Dick was a 38-year active member of The Sheridan United Methodist Church, where he served as head of the trustees until his health would not allow him to continue serving. He led the complete restoration of the parsonage and the basement projects at the Sheridan United Methodist Church. Dick was also very civic minded. He was both a Cub Scout leader and then a Boy Scout leader for many years. Dick was a member of the Civil Defense for several years and was a 46-year member and Past Master of Forest Lodge # 166 F&AM, where he did much of the finish car pen try work on the second floor of the new Masonic Temple on East Main Street in Fredonia.

He also was a 26-year active member and form er captain of The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Mounted Police, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

In 2006, Dick cleared most of the 31 acres of land which was covered with old grape vineyards, apple trees, brush and debris in Sheridan where he resided in their second home, built on the property with his wife, Lorraine. He loved to build things, repair things and make old things look new. Dick enjoyed working on his tractors and backhoe, mowing the lawn and yard, and doing any job that needed doing. He was often quoted as saying, “A day without work is a day with out sunshine.”

He was married to the former Norma Penhollow until her passing. Besides his wife, Loraine B. (Sperry) Cole, Dick is survived by three children:

Richard W. Jr. Cole (Candy Penrod) of Brocton,

Matthew C. Cole (Alice Blair) and Leeanne (Cole), Sebouhian of Dunkirk. He has nine grandchildren, four great -grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Dick is predeceased by his sister, Virginia Thompson.

Memorial contributions in Dick’s memory may be made the Sheridan United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be held at the Larson-Timko Funeral Home, 20 Central Ave., Fredonia, NY, on Wednesday from 4-7 pm. A funeral service will be held at the Sheridan United Methodist Church, 2679 Main Rd., Sheridan, NY, Thurs day at 11 am.

A Masonic Service, under the auspices of the Forest Lodge # 166 F& AM, will be held Wednesday at 6 pm. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.

On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler.