Thomas F. "Tom" Cole, 71, of Grove City, formerly of West Sunbury and Zephyrhills, Fla., passed away Sunday at Grove City Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 22, 1937, in Pittsburgh. He was the son of the late William M. Cole and Mary Irene Beegle Cole.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and a Methodist.

He was a heavy equipment operator for Florida Power.

He was a member of American Legion Post 2276 in Florida, American Legion Post 0220 of Grove City, the Bluebird Society of America and the Pioneers Club of Florida.

After retirement, his passion was Karaoke shows and wood art. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, camping and his best friend, Molly.

He is survived by his wife, Esther Irene Swartzlander Cole, who he married June 8, 1957; two sons, William J. Cole of Zephyrhills Fla., and Thomas F. Cole Jr. and his wife, Judy, of Cordova, S.C.; three grandchildren, Nicholas "Nick" Cole and his wife, April, of Cordova, S.C., Gregg Cole of Zephyrhills, Fla., and Jordan Miles and his wife, April, of Cordova, S.C.; one great-grandson, Thomas Allen Cole of Cordova, S.C.; one sister, Mrs. Dale (Dorothy) Smith of Montana; two brothers, Donald Cole of West Sunbury and James Cole of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother.

<B>COLE </B>— Friends of Thomas F. "Tom" Cole, who died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 Wednesday at <B>William F. Young Funeral Home</B>, 132 Main St., West Sunbury. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in West Sunbury Union Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.