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Jan 30, 2024

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Fred Cole passed at 92. (Courtesy of the Cole Family) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. —

Fred Cole passed at 92. (Courtesy of the Cole Family)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Retired Styl-O-Pedic shoe store operator Fred Cole has died after a brief illness. He was 92.

Born in Massachusetts, Cole settled on Staten Island in 1954. When he wasn't traveling with his wife of 72 years, Bernice, he tended to the Stapleton-based Styl-O-Pedic. Cole had measured thousands of school children's feet over the decades, said his children.

Eventually, he moved the store to its current location in New Dorp, where son Ronnie runs the operation.

Family affectionally remember the quick-witted former shopkeeper who lived in Oakwood as the "ultimate practical joker" and the "world's oldest child."

Daughter Randy Bolton shared stories of his mischief. She said the shoe store owner carefully plotted out pranks. He would swipe steaks from a neighbor's grill, lock unsuspecting guests in the bathroom and don fake cockroaches for doctors to discover on his body for themselves. One of his most notorious gags involved putting a neighbor's house up for sale in the middle of the night. When the family received an onslaught of phone calls the following day, they quickly realized it was Cole behind the deed.

Longtime friend Ron Victor said, "Fred was a good guy. He had a tremendous sense of humor and this wonderful New England accent."

Fred Cole died at 92. (Courtesy of the Cole Family)

"The most important thing in Fred's life — and what he would want to be remembered for most — was the family that he nurtured and cherished. They truly embody what would be his legacy," said his daughter. Cole lauded her career helping the developmentally disabled.

A fantastic handyman, Cole helped physically build the businesses of his youngest son, Larry — Sweet Basil's, formerly of Annadale, and a recently-sold Cole's Dockside at the Great Kills Marina. Cole, the elder, crafted wine racks plus all of the restaurants’ wooden detail like the wainscoting.

Fred Cole in his military days. (Courtesy of the Cole Family)

A retired Army sergeant and Korean War veteran, Cole delighted in building model airplanes. He lived an active life on both land and sea. He loved bowling and tennis as much as fishing in the Florida Keys. His wanderlust brought he and Bernice through five continents and to vacations in Florida in winter.

Cole is survived by his three children, daughter Randy and sons Larry and Ronnie, and their spouses Michael, Laura, and Francesca, as well as six grandchildren — Megan, Justin, Ryan, Dylan, Ian and Remi, and one great grandchild, Stella.

Arrangements include a graveside service at United Hebrew Cemetery, 122 Arthur Kill Rd., Richmond, on Thursday June 8, 2023 at 11 a.m The family can be reached at 718-873-5830 for further details. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the American Heart Association, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

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