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Chester County Press

Obituaries for the week of May 15

05/15/2023 01:30PM ● By Steven Hoffman
John J. Mazzoni
John J. Mazzoni, of West Grove, passed away on Jan. 26, 2023. He was 96.
Born in Kennett Square on July 26, 1926, he was the son of the late Domenic and Domenica (DiFilippo) Mazzoni.
During World War II, he served with the 13th Air Force at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.  
He belonged to the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
After serving, he was employed as a carpenter for H.G. Cooper, G.F. Snyder and was a member of the Carpenters Union Local 456.
He had a great fondness for animals.  If a stray needed a home he would happily adopt it with great love.  Thus, throughout his life, he had many dogs and cats that were fortunate to be in his care.
John is preceded in death by his siblings, Jean H. Huffman, Mary Tomasovich, James D. Mazzoni, and Elizabeth M. Troyan.
His final resting place will be in Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Kennett Square.
Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. of Kennett Square (484-734-8100).  
To view his online obituary, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.

Gerald Leon Cole
Gerald Leon Cole, 87, of Oxford, passed away on May 5, 2023 at Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital in West Chester. He was surrounded by family when he passed.
He met his wife, Carol Keena Cole, at Michigan State University, and they shared nearly 66 years of marriage.
Born in Hastings, MI, he was the son of the late Leon and Kathryn Tasker Cole.
Gerald was a professor at the University of Delaware and was the head of the Agricultural Department specializing in agricultural economics where he retired in 1999.
He graduated with honors from Michigan State University in 1957. He received his master’s degree at the University of Delaware and received his doctorate from Michigan State University. 
During his career at the University of Delaware, Gerald lived in Denmark, Austria, Slovakia and Vermont, teaching at universities in each of these locations. His last trip was to Campobasso, Italy where he consulted on the best use of land. He traveled extensively and was a skilled jack-of-all-trades, doing his own projects around his home. 
He also enjoyed photography and camping. He started the credit union at the University of Delaware. He worked with the homeless and was an active volunteer for Deep Roots in Elkton, Md.
He is survived by his wife; one son, Gary Alan Cole (Maryann) of Kennett Square; one daughter, Catherine Justine Dombroski (Daniel) of Pike Creek, Del.; six grandchildren, Justine O’Brien (Brady), Jonathan, Thomas and Sarah Dombroski, Gregory and Megan Cole (Paul Slotwinski); one great-grandchild, Shaelyn O’Brien; and one brother, David Cole (Lynda) of Battle Creek, MI. 
He was preceded in death by one son, Gregory Gerald Cole. 
Services will be private.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made to www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.