Kenneth James Cole, 71, of Red Hook

Kenneth James Cole, 71, a lifelong Red Hook area resident, passed away at Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, after battling a long illness.

Born in Rhinebeck on April 12, 1947, he was the son of the late Melvin and Vera (Stoutenburgh) Cole.

Ken is survived by his fiancée and best friend, Deborah Reynolds, who resides at home; his daughter, Ashley M. (Ryan) Lukach of Tivoli; and his grandsons, Mason J. Lukach and Myles R. Lukach of Tivoli.

Ken was guardian to Caiden Staats, who resides in his home in Red Hook. He is also survived by his three brothers, Glenn (Madeline) of Pleasant Valley, Stephen (Karen Szatko) Cole of Red Hook, and Christopher Cole of Washington state; his nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Sarah, Chad, Brandon, and Jane Cole; along with extended family, numerous friends, and colleagues.

A nephew, Henry Cole, predeceased him.

Ken graduated from Red Hook High School in 1965, attended Dutchess Community College, graduated from Ulster Community College, and went onto earn his Bachelor’s from Rochester RIT 1973.

Throughout his life, Ken served his country. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1968, and retired with 30 years in the U.S. Navy Reserves as (CPO) Chief Petty Officer.

Ken started his career with DeLaval Corporation in Poughkeepsie. He then began his law enforcement career with the Village of Rhinebeck Police Department, and he worked for the Dutchess County Sheriff Office. Following his graduation from the New York State Police Academy, Ken then worked for 25 years with NYS Environmental Conservation Division of Law Enforcement. He retired on June 9, 2010, while retaining the rank of Lieutenant in (BECI) Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigations unit.

Ken’s passion for golf started in high school; he also loved hunting and fishing. Active in the community, Ken was a longtime active member of the Red Hook Golf Club and served as a member of its Board of Directors, a member of the Red Hook Boat Club, a member of the Montgomery Post 429 American Legion in Rhinebeck – where he served as Past Commander and Bar Chairman, and also served as a Board Member for Northern Dutchess Daycare in Rhinebeck.

Ken was the founder and longtime administrator of the Montgomery Post 429 American Legion-Children with Cancer Fund, which provided assistance to any child with cancer.

Memorial donations may be made in Kenneth’s memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, Mass. 02114; to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105-1942, www/stjude.org/memorial; or a charity of one’s choice.

Friends may call at Burnett & White Funeral Homes on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019, from 4 to 8 p.m. Montgomery Post 429, American Legion, will conduct services at 6:45 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 at Burnett & White Funeral Homes, Red Hook, N.Y. Burial will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Red Hook.

Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, N.Y.

For directions or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.BurnettWhite.com.