Merle S. Cole, Sr.

Merle S. Cole, Sr., 84, of Berlin, passed away on Saturday January 25, 2020 at his home. He was born in Gilead, ME on November 11, 1935 the son of the late Clifford O. and Mary (Lorry) Cole and graduated from Gould Academy in 1953. He lived in Gilead for 27 years and moved to Berlin after he married his wife, Carol. Merle had served as a Selectman in Gilead for 3 years and served on the Berlin City Council for 8 years. He had been employed as a heavy equipment operator for Local #4 in Boston, MA, was a site manager at Heritage Park in the development years, and maintenance director at the Horton Center. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and 4-wheeling, and spending time with his family.



Family includes his daughters Sheila Bisson and husband Danny of Berlin, NH, Brenda Bergeron and husband Jeffrey of Berlin, NH and Melanie Cousino and husband Jeff of New Ipswich, NH; son Merle S. Cole, Jr. of Bartlett, NH; 11 grandchildren, Jason, Brandon, and Dylan Bisson, Christina Torrey and husband Benny, Mariah, Brenden, and Morgan Bergeron, Misty Silva and husband John, and Tyler Hynes, Addison Carter, Dan Cousino; 1 great-grandson Elias Silva; sister Mary Tyler of Gilead, ME and brother Daniel Cole of Gilead, ME; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife Carol Ann (Seman) Cole and a sister Sandra Laughy.



Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 31, 2020 at 1:00 PM at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM. Donations in his memory may be made to the Horton Center, 140 Sheep Davis Rd., Pembroke, NH, 03275. Online guestbook at www.bryantfuneralhome.net.