Charles A. Wildrick-Cole Beloved
Son, Brother, Friend and Shipmate
Charlie was a sophomore at Alfred-Almond Central
School. He was deeply involved with the
US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Rochester CA-124 Division where after eighteen months
he had already risen to the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer. He aspired to make the rank of chief before
graduation from High School. After High School, his dream was to attend the US
Naval Academy and pursue a career in the Navy.
At school, Charlie was a member of the Academic All-Stars
team and was a high honor student. He was a member of track team where he
enjoyed distance running and weight lifting.
He loved practical jokes and had an infectious personality that drew
people to him. Always thinking of other
people first, he will be remembered for how well he supported others. He was a wonderfully funny, caring, kind and
friendly person.
He enjoyed learning the Art of Blacksmithing and working
with his coal forge. He participated in
the Alfred Almond Ski Club and enjoyed skiing with his brothers and
friends. He recently discovered his love
for SCUBA diving, having completed his initial certification at Cuba Lake in
June. In July he completed his advanced
certification through a Sea Cadets Training Course where he spent ten days
diving the deep waters of Lake Huron, viewing and studying shipwrecks. He is
survived by his parents Jeremy and Dawn Wildrick-Cole of Almond two brothers Sidney
L. Wildrick-Cole at home, Samuel H. Wildrick-Cole, at home; his paternal grandparents, Gary and Betsy Harvey of Allegany; his maternal
grandparents, Dean and Cheryl Wildrick of Cuba; an Uncle, Dwane Wildrick of Philipsburg,
PA; an Aunt, Heather Cogger Puyallup,
Washington State; two cousins, Brynn and Lucas Cogger, at home. Other surviving
relatives include Nora, Travis and Graham Cole, David & Monica Cole, Jacob
Cole, Sara Bunce, Gregory Franklin, Brian Armstrong and numerous other loving
extended family members. He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather Gary L.
Cole in April of 2017 and an Uncle Eric D. Cole in 2001. Family and Friends
will be received at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service,
Inc., 9 Bull Street, Cuba on Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 7-9 p.m. and on
Friday, October 26, 2018 from 2-5 p.m. There will be a remembrance service for
family and close friends on Friday October 26 from 5-6 p.m. following the wake.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Jude Chapel, 1154 Lower
College Dr., Alfred, New York 14802 at 11a.m. on Saturday October 27,
2018. The Rev. Sean DiMaria will be the
celebrant. Burial will be private in
Cuba Cemetery, Cuba, New York. A service
for the greater Alfred-Almond community is being coordinated by the family and
the school to honor Charlie and his life.
This service will be held at the Alfred-Almond School in the near
future, date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be
made in one of the three following ways.
Two Naval charities very close to Charlie’s heart are appropriate,
either the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Rochester CA-124 division, which changed
his life so much for the better, or the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, which
Charlie honored himself during his lifetime by donating his own funds. Also, memorial donations may be made to the
Allegany County Area Foundation, a local charity which provides scholarships
for Allegany County Area high school students.
Charlie’s family is very thankful and appreciative for all
the love and support from their friends, family and community in this very
difficult time.
