Retired Bishop Passes Away

NEW YORK, New York - The retired bishop of the Diocese of Central New York died December 16, 2002, in Syracuse New York. Reverend Ned Cole, at age 85, had served the diocese throughout 1969-1983, in the most tumultuous time for both the Episcopal Church and the Country. He was known for his firm stance on controversial issues, such as opposition to the Vietnam War and death penalty, and support for the ordination of women, in spite of many critics.

Throughout his career, Cole championed both spiritual and civic forces in the community. He served as a member of the General Board of the National Council of Churches, the Executive Council of the Episcopal church, and the Episcopal delegation to the Consultation on Church Union. He was also an active member of the New York State Council of Churches; the Human Rights Commission of Syracuse and Onondaga County, the Food Bank of Central New York, the Urban League of Onondaga County and the Syracuse Division of the New York State Commission on Human Rights.

Born and raise in California, Missouri, Cole graduated from Westminster College in Fulton Missouri, and attended law school at the University of Missouri in Colombia. He served as secretary to Missouri's Secretary of State from 1940-1942, and in the Air Transport Command of the Army Air Forces from 1942-1945. He graduated from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was ordained deacon and priest by Bishop William Scarlett of Missouri. He served parishes in Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri, and in 1956 was elected dean of Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis.