Obituary: Beloved Family Man, Coach and Korean War Veteran Kenneth Cool, 82

The following is an obituary from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home:

 Kenneth D. Cool, a retired engineer, succumbing to a long struggle with Alzheimer ’s disease on Friday morning, December 6, 2013. He was 82 years old. 

Ken was born in Spokane, Washington, the son of the late Frank and Laura Cool. He grew up in Spokane. After high school he enlisted in Air Force and proudly served his country for 4 years during the Korean War.

After his military service, he went on to graduate from Northeastern University. He worked for over 30 years at AVCO/Textron as an engineer. He specialized in missile systems, reentry vehicles, and aeronomics. He enjoyed his career, but because of security, he was not able to share with his family and friends many of the projects he had been associated with. Ken had lived in Burlington since 1959, raising his 4 sons, and being involved in many of the youth sport programs.

He was a coach for the Burlington Baseball and Softball Association for a number of seasons. He coached the minor league Yankees to a number of winning seasons. He also was active in the Burlington Pop Warner program. He served as an equipment manager and then coach. His sons remember learning and appreciating the game of football from their Dad, as well as the annual Pop Warner road trips to Keystone Pennsylvania. He enjoyed reading and gardening.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed trips to Las Vegas to see his favorite professional golfers play in tournaments. He also enjoyed partaking in the many trips and activities offered at the Burlington Recreation Department.

Ken’s life revolved around his family. He was lovingly married to his wife Kathy, whom he met while in the Air Force for 59 years. Not only were they a happy couple, they were travel companions and golf partners. He was a proud and supportive father to his 4 sons. He took great satisfaction to see his sons become men, marry well, and become fathers themselves. He loved being a grandfather and great grandfather.

Ken was the loving husband of Kathleen (DeAmbrose) Cool. He was the loving father of Michael & his wife Kimberly of Westford, Mark & his wife Sue of Cartersvillle, GA, Christopher & his wife Sue Brodeur of N. Andover, and Kenneth & his wife Sharyn Nolan of Waltham. He was predeased by his siblings; Delores Ballinger and Larry Cool. He was also survived by 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. The interment will be private. Donations in Ken’s name may be made payable to the Bedford VA Hospital for the GRECC program and can mailed to Chief, Voluntary Service (135), Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730.