He was a man of magic and baseball
Connellsville is mourning the loss of one of its strongest community leaders.
Cecil E. Cole, a lifelong resident of the city, passed away on Thursday in the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.
Cole, who was 82 at the time of his death, was the son of the late Andrew and Virginia Bell Cole and was married to Rose Carter Cole for 56 years. He graduated from Connellsville High School in 1937.
He served his country during World War II as a first sergeant in the infantry of the U.S. Army and was a member of the Trotter American Legion No. 762.
Cole had a very distinguished baseball career having played for the Newark, N.J., Eagles in the former Negro Baseball League. His most notable accomplishment on the field was when he pitched and won the final game of the 1943 championship. Once his playing days were over, Cole continued his career in baseball working for the Pittsburgh Pirates as a baseball scout for more than 35 years.
Although Cole might be best known for his baseball career, his contributions to the community over the years far outweighed his fame.
Connellsville Mayor Judy Reed recalled that Cole was always very active in the community and especially when it came to young people.
"He had quite an influence with young children and was involved in scouting and sports," said Reed.
She also recalled that Cole used to put on magic shows for not only children, but for adults too. As the "Silent Knight of Magic," he entertained many at community groups, schools, colleges and private parties for many years.
"He was a very good person. He contributed a lot to our city. Probably, everybody in town knew Mr. Cole," said Reed.
Cole also spent a great portion of his life working for the Connellsville Housing Authority at Greenwood Heights as a general maintenance worker.
Marie Blasey, the former executive director of the authority, remembers Cole as an excellent employee who took control and made sure any maintenance at the complex that needed done was completed.
"He got along beautifully with all of the tenants. He really was an asset to us. He was just a special man," recalled Blasey.
Cole began working for the authority in 1951 and continued until his retirement 40 years later. When Riverview Apartments was built, maintenance at the two units were combined and Cole was put in charge, she said.
Carol Latchem, the authority's current director, remembers Cole as a valued employee of the authority.
"He was just a very nice, charming man. He was cooperative and very well-liked around here," said Latchem.
Latchem went on to say that among his other talents, Cole was also an inventor. Although she couldn't recall any of his inventions specifically, she did remember that he was always inventing something or another.
