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John Henry Cole, 92, of North Branford, beloved husband for 69 years of Mimi Cole, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 4 by Mimi’s side. He was born Feb. 9, 1928, in Berlin, Germany, and spent his childhood in Eindhoven, Holland, where he served in the Dutch resistance during the war and, after liberation, in the Dutch Auxiliary to the British Army.

John earned a BA in physics and master’s in industrial engineering from Columbia University, where he met Mimi, who survives him. He is also survived by his four children, Robert Cole (Sophie) of Washington, DC, Patsy Kumekawa (Michael) of Clinton, Chris Cole (Barbara) of Hopewell, New Jersey, and Peter Cole (Elizabeth) of Washington, DC; and eight grandchildren.

John was an executive from 1951 to 1975 with Corning Inc. in Corning, New York and Toronto, Canada, and after working for several other manufacturing concerns, ended his career as a consultant with Bavier, Bulger & Goodyear in Connecticut. John and Mimi moved to Guilford in 1979 and subsequently to Evergreen Woods in North Branford in 2012.

John’s passion was his family: He discussed and followed closely the myriad pursuits of his children and grandchildren. Quiet, intelligent, wise, caring, and innately curious, he touched those he knew deeply.

John loved sailing. He raced in Holland in his youth and sailed with his family wherever he lived. He and his wife were longtime members of Sachem’s Head Yacht Club in Guilford. John also actively enjoyed skiing, hiking the trails of Connecticut, and berry picking at Bishop’s.

Mimi and he were deeply engaged in classical music and culture. They traveled extensively through Europe, prioritizing Italy. Classical music always filled their home and they frequently attended and supported theater, concerts, and operas in the shoreline area, at Tanglewood, and in New York. His family will miss him enormously, especially his Sunday morning breakfasts.

A private family service will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Guilford Art Center or Guilford Preservation.