CANTON, Ga. – Allon E. Cole, 69, of Canton, died Jan. 31.

He was born Nov. 14, 1936, and lived in Maine for 63 years before moving to Georgia. He was a member of the Portland, Maine, police force, executive director of the Office of Economic Opportunity in Oxford County, and owner and operator of several businesses in Maine.

He organized and supervised the volunteer program of the Maine chapter of the American Cancer Society, was a volunteer for United Way, Maine Chapter; Hand to Hand, Maine Chapter; nursing home volunteer; member of the Northside Cherokee Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary; a Marine veteran of the Korean War; a member of the American Legion; and a member of the Methodist Church.

He enjoyed his retirement by writing poems and stories, some of which can be read at poetry.com. He was married 34 years to Janice Strout.

Survivors include his wife, Janice Cole of Canton, Ga.; daughters, Ruth Quirion (Jesse) of Monmouth, Kelly Cook (Hank), and Kathy Cole of Canton, Ga., Debbie Flohr of Litchfield; son, Jeff Nowlin (Tracy) of Sicklerville, N.J.; grandchildren, Jesse Quirion Jr., Morgan Cook, Matt Quirion, Jade Cook, Keith Flohr, Kyle Nowlin, Emily Flohr and Kelsey Nowlin; great-grandchildren, Austin and Makala Quirion; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by both parents, Clifford and Minnie Foss Cole; and a sister, Ruth O’Donnell.