Arthur Jules Coll

Arthur J. Coll, 95, of Tyler Hill Road in Jaffrey, died peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at his residence after a period of failing health.

He was born in Jaffrey, NH on April 13, 1913, the son of Zoel and Fedora (Bourgault) Coll and has been a life long resident of this community.

He was a 1932 graduate of Conant High School in Jaffrey, where he was captain of the Basketball and Baseball teams. He was also secretary of his class for all four years. During the late 1930s and early 1940s he was an amateur prizefighter, and had won the New England Lightweight Division Championship.

Arthur was employed at the Jaffrey Textile Mills as a loom mechanic, and continued to work there until the mill closed in 1964. During his years at the Mill, Arthur became interested in radio and television when the field was still new and in 1940 graduated from the National Radio Institute in Washington DC.

In 1946 he established Colls Radio TV Service on Main Street in Jaffrey. He supplied the public address system for Jaffrey Memorial Day observances for many years, as well as at other town functions in need of a PA system such as St. Patrick Carnivals and Auctions, and Jaffreys Bicentennial activities in 1973.

He was a communicant and active member of St. Patrick Parish in Jaffrey. He was an usher at Sunday Masses up until 2001. He was a member of the former Holy Name Society of the Parish and also the Legion of Mary. Arthur was a Charter Member and officer of Our Lady of Monadnock Knights of Columbus Council #8544, and also was a Color Corps member of St Patrick Assembly #2129 of the Knights of Columbus. For many years he had also served as treasurer of the Jaffrey-Rindge Senior Citizens.

He was married to Gladys Pearl (Sollitt) Coll for 51 years. She died October 22, 1990.
Survivors include four daughters Faith T. Marrotte of Merrimack, Elizabeth M. Hueber of Jaffrey, Barbara A. Labonte of West Bend, Wisconsin and Lori R. Cast of Donalsonville, Georgia; four sons Thomas J. Coll of Swanzey, Timothy A. Coll, Kenneth J. Coll and Christopher P. Coll all of Jaffrey; 35 grandchildren; 49 great grandchildren; two sisters Yvonne (Mrs. Orin) Duval of Winston Salem, SC and Jeannette (Mrs. Ted) Kelly of San Dimas, CA; many nieces and nephews.

A son James Michael Coll predeceased him on April 22, 1963.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick Church 87 Main Street, Jaffrey NH 03452.

Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery in Jaffrey.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00PMat the Cournoyer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 33 River Street (Route 202 south) in Jaffrey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10:00AM in St. Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey. Rev Wilfred H. Deschamps, pastor will officiate.