Dear Editor,
It was an honor and privilege to work with Jim Cole for over a decade and a half.
Jim and I met as members of New Canaan’s Emergency Preparedness Committee when it was formed right after Sept. 11, 2001. As the executive director of the Red Cross, I worked closely with the committee to update the emergency preparedness plans of the town. Jim was wonderful to work with since he took the job seriously, yet with a smile for everyone. He was friendly, humorous, dedicated and passionate. Jim joined the Red Cross Board of Directors and was instrumental in its success. He continued to serve on the regional board after the 2009 merger of the Red Cross chapters in our state.
Jim and his wife, Nancy, have given thousands of volunteer hours to the Town of New Canaan. It was their willingness to take over the Community Emergency Response Team in the early years that is one of the significant reasons it continues to thrive.
Jim and I spoke on several occasions to various local groups about emergency preparedness. There were several years when I saw Jim at least five times per week: more when there was an emergency in town. I, along with many, will miss him greatly. His friendship enhanced my life and I will always be grateful he was an integral part of it for all of those years. Rest in peace my friend.
Sincerely,
Stacey Hafen