Franklin Bruce Cole, Jr., 66, of The Villages, Florida, passed away on November 7, 2025. Born on May 31, 1959 in New Britain, Connecticut, Bruce lived a vibrant life marked by unwavering devotion to his family, a passion for adventure, and a deep Christian faith that guided him through all seasons, and sustained him during his battle with kidney disease.
Bruce was a 40-year resident of the Charlotte, NC area. He lived in Colorado for 9 years before retiring to Florida, in 2020.
Bruce spent most of his career as Operations Manager in the commercial janitorial industry, overseeing operations in North Carolina, the Southeast, and Colorado. An exceptional golfer, he found joy and camaraderie on the greens, often sharing his love of the game with others. Bruce cherished travel and new experiences, creating lasting memories through mountain hikes, magical trips to Disney World, cross-country road trips, and family cruises. His grandchildren were the greatest joy of his life. Extended family reunions were the heart of his world, where he strengthened bonds and celebrated life’s simple joys with those he loved.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Boyer; his father, Franklin Cole, Sr.; his daughters, Lindsay Echols (spouse Jason), and Leslie Weisenthal (spouse Matthew); his sisters, Paula Brown, and Cindy Watson; and his brother-in-law, Scott Watson. He is also survived by 4 beloved grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Jimmie Sue “Dit” Cole.
A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held on December, 12, 2025, at First Baptist Church Fort Mill, located at 121 Monroe White St. Fort Mill, SC 29715. Visitation 10:00 a.m. and Services 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to help Bruce’s cousin, Kayla in her fight against cancer. Donations may be made at this link https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-kaylas-fight-against-cancer