The Evolution of R.D. Cole Funeral Home Sewickley, PA, Continues The Herald The Sewickley ValeHomeNews Weekly J. NARLATT, UNDERTAKER, CORNER OF FIPE & DIVISIO The Front Page of the December 1937 Sewickley Hearld They ir of he g gett g w bee estenally The undersigned, Respectfully informs the Ces of Frwickley & Vicinity, That he has established the busine: of an UNDERTAKER. IN THIS VILLAGE And is proposed to fo Coffins fa quote.. and rises, and to perform all other functions with the business of indeviation, with Elatinary Precision and patch A HEARSE famished whenever required. REMOVALS. The coming ter Cemeleted Gave Yard is the vicinity, SEWICKLEY CEMETERY Ting the trace of resend persees all trolde ce pain in wall. He will prepare new Cine or cutside cases, may be the whole proceeding with care dec William E. Gray Funeral Home, 328 Beaver St., 1931-1935 By: Rick, Brian, and Ronna Cole A brief history of 328 Beaver Street. Sewickley, PA. What originally started out as a home was converted to the William E. Gray Funeral Home in 1931, to the Gray-Cole Funeral Home in 1956, and then to the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home in 1963, and in 2004, the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home, Inc. That evolution continues in 2024 and beyond. The building itself, 328 Beaver Street, has a very interesting history a late 1800's wooden stick-frame home which was the same design as the Sewickley Spa directly across on Beaver Street. At one time four houses stood on the 300 block of Beaver Street: one on the lot, which is now Safran's parking lot, one converted to a funeral home, and two more as neighbors approaching Little Street. In August of 1935, William (Bill) Gray began the design plan of his new building renovations which is what we see today, a brick veneer with many add-on structures. It took two (2) years to complete the build-out. We have copies of the construction pictures and the December 1937 Sewickley Herald newspaper clippings with the completed picture of the property on the front page and announcements of coming tours and events at the property in January of 1938. Mr. Gray was extremely proud of his accomplishment. The year 2035 would have been the 100th anniversary of this property renovation. William E. Gray (Mr. Gray to us - to others, he was known as Bill) was quite an entrepreneurial individual and did an amazing job for the local and surrounding communities in their time of need for family members, loved ones, and friends. In the two years it took to complete the new building design, 173 contractors were needed to finish the task and all but seven were local Sewickley residents. The architect came from Leetsdale, PA. Mr. Gray lived in the upstairs apartment of the main building. A garage was built in the back yard, off Duquesne Way (the alley between Walnut and Little Streets) to house limousines, hearses, and, of course, the ambulance that PA funeral directors provided for their communities (the state of Pennsylvania took away the ambulance businesses from funeral directors in the late 1970s). We learned to park in that garage. With only inches between vehicles, very large vehicles, we became very good at close-quarter parking and parallel parking on curbs. When it came time to "parallel park" for Mr. Raso, the Quaker Valley driving school instructor, we taught him a few things. And all those vehicles always had to be clean! We remember Mr. Gray and his family well. Mr. Gray, always on the couch in the upstairs living room with his two small dogs (boxers) and a roaring fire in the winter months. Mrs. Gray, however, spent her time in the back courtyard, tending her gardens (in the non-winter months) and especially her roses, which were everywhere. We have the many photo albums of all this. Mr. Gray was the Great Grandson of the very first funeral director in Sewickley, Mr. Joeseph Marlatt. The first funeral home in town sat at the corners of Fife and Division Streets, and was established in the early 1800's, Ultimately moving to the corner of Broad and Centennial Streets. Joeseph Marlatt was a cabinet maker who also learned how to build and construct coffins and turned Sewickley's first school building, 1818, (a log cabin on Division St.) into a funeral home. James Marlatt, Joseph's son was born in 1839. James ile suppor of bir os also became a funeral director and took over the family business in the early 1870's after his father's passing. In 1871, Walter S. Marlatt was born and eventually entered the funeral business as well. iles hey serve ·hem ur gene of if it menir a Nate Pedingen motify the prin of the Cemetery, that gi J. MARLAIT. Sewickley, 23, 1861. Marlatt Undertaker Advertisement, 1861, Sewickley, PA In 1956, after nearly fifty years of service to the Sewickley Valley and surrounding communities, William Gray announced his new partnership with Dick Cole and the Gray-Cole Funeral Home was established. Both men became pillars of the community, not only providing needed funeral and ambulance services but also highly active with the local Kiwanis Club, Masonic Lodge. Shriners. and the Sewickley Valley Board of Trade. Both men were members of the Sewickley Methodist Church. Richard D. Cole Funeral father, Dick Cole, came to the Pittsburgh area with his family after attending Uniontown High School in 1942. He graduated from Allegheny Vocational School in Pittsburgh and became interested in the funeral business For over 6-decades, J.W. Marlatt and Sons in 1943. Before pursuing his career, he served operated at the Broad and Centennial property tour in Europe during World War II in the and in 1923 the business was moved to a new Army Air Corps (the precursor to the United location on the corner of Logan and Beaver States Air Force). He became a "tail-gunner" Streets, presently R.D. Copeland's Funeral in a B17 bomber (Akk-Akk-Annie was her Home (1998), previously the Dallas S. Irvine name). He told us it was not the best place to Funeral Home (1930-1945) after the passing of sit in an aircraft while being shot at by enemy Walter Marlatt in 1930. The funeral business fighter planes. The missions were long, and there continued under the direction of Maria many did not return. Marlatt, Walter's wife, via a PA State provided "Widow's License" (a process provided by the State within funeral law, for the spouse of a licensed funeral director to continue the business, providing a licensed Director is on staff). Dallas S. Irvine became the staff funeral director and then purchased the business in 1945. Mr. Irvine passed in 1966. In the early 1950's, William (Bill) Neuman became the Supervisor of Irvine Funeral Home. Mr. Neuman then became the business owner in the early 1970's. He passed away in 1992. Mr. Gray was the son of Albert and Eva Marlatt Gray. He attended Sewickley Public Schools, the Pittsburgh School of Embalming and Eckles College in Philadelphia where he took post-graduate classes in Post-Operative Anatomy. From 1907 to 1931 he was employed by his Uncle, Walter S. Marlatt. Mr. Gray became a licensed funeral director, passing the State Board of Undertakers in 1926. In 1931, after the death of his Uncle, Mr. Gray started his own funeral business and moved to a new location at 328 Beaver Street, Sewickley: the William E. Gray Funeral Home. Returning from the service Dad again entertained the prospect of the funeral business. He entered and graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS) in Oakland and served his apprenticeship in McKeesport and on Pittsburgh's Northside at Pinkerton's Funeral Home. In June of 1951, he married Geraldine (Jeri) Coomes, also from the Northside, and moved to Sewickley a month later to work at the William E. Gray Funeral Home. In 1953 Dick and Jeri Cole established themselves and their own funeral business and added a limousine service (livery) operating out of their house on Blackburn Avenue. Their son, Rick, was born in 1955; I can still remember Dad jumping over the stone wall in the backyard to get to Locust Street where his limos were garaged. That house still stands, right across from the YMCA. I see it in my mind every time I walk up to the Y. Our Dad leased the space from John Herbst (of the Herbst service station on Walnut and Thorn Streets). The property on Locust is presently under construction and being converted into Enter Richard D. (Dick) and Jeri Cole. Our condominiums. Home was established in January of 1963 after Mr. Gray's retirement. He continued to live upstairs in the main building until he passed away in the late 1960's. Dick Cole did not sleep much between funerals and all the work that they require (sometimes 2-3 a week that lasted 3-4 days each), the ambulance business (he had two (2) and they were rarely in the garage) and, becoming a two-term Mayor of Sewickley (he won the election in 1969 and again in 1973) plus all the extra-curricular activities that he and our Mom, Jeri, were involved in within the community. The business station wagon was constantly used as transport for seniors to and from doctor's offices, grocery stores. and nursing homes, free of charge of course. That was the Dick Cole way of doing things. We cannot count all the folding chairs that we delivered over the years to local events, parties, weddings, etc. a community service that Mr. Gray started many years prior. It was all quite inspiring and set a positive course in life for us, their three children. Unfortunately Dad passed very early in his life at the young age of fifty-one (51) when a fatal stroke took him on August 1, 1977, forty- seven (47) years ago. It was a very tragic life The Evolution of R.D. Cole Funeral Home Sewickley , PA , Continues The Herald The Sewickley ValeHomeNews Weekly J. NARLATT , UNDERTAKER , CORNER OF FIPE & DIVISIO The Front Page of the December 1937 Sewickley Hearld They ir of he g gett g w bee estenally The undersigned , Respectfully informs the Ces of Frwickley & Vicinity , That he has established the busine : of an UNDERTAKER . IN THIS VILLAGE And is proposed to fo Coffins fa quote .. and rises , and to perform all other functions with the business of indeviation , with Elatinary Precision and patch A HEARSE famished whenever required . REMOVALS . The coming ter Cemeleted Gave Yard is the vicinity , SEWICKLEY CEMETERY Ting the trace of resend persees all trolde ce pain in wall . He will prepare new Cine or cutside cases , may be the whole proceeding with care dec William E. Gray Funeral Home , 328 Beaver St. , 1931-1935 By : Rick , Brian , and Ronna Cole A brief history of 328 Beaver Street . Sewickley , PA . What originally started out as a home was converted to the William E. Gray Funeral Home in 1931 , to the Gray - Cole Funeral Home in 1956 , and then to the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home in 1963 , and in 2004 , the Richard D. Cole Funeral Home , Inc. That evolution continues in 2024 and beyond . The building itself , 328 Beaver Street , has a very interesting history a late 1800's wooden stick - frame home which was the same design as the Sewickley Spa directly across on Beaver Street . At one time four houses stood on the 300 block of Beaver Street : one on the lot , which is now Safran's parking lot , one converted to a funeral home , and two more as neighbors approaching Little Street . In August of 1935 , William ( Bill ) Gray began the design plan of his new building renovations which is what we see today , a brick veneer with many add - on structures . It took two ( 2 ) years to complete the build - out . We have copies of the construction pictures and the December 1937 Sewickley Herald newspaper clippings with the completed picture of the property on the front page and announcements of coming tours and events at the property in January of 1938. Mr. Gray was extremely proud of his accomplishment . The year 2035 would have been the 100th anniversary of this property renovation . William E. Gray ( Mr. Gray to us - to others , he was known as Bill ) was quite an entrepreneurial individual and did an amazing job for the local and surrounding communities in their time of need for family members , loved ones , and friends . In the two years it took to complete the new building design , 173 contractors were needed to finish the task and all but seven were local Sewickley residents . The architect came from Leetsdale , PA . Mr. Gray lived in the upstairs apartment of the main building . A garage was built in the back yard , off Duquesne Way ( the alley between Walnut and Little Streets ) to house limousines , hearses , and , of course , the ambulance that PA funeral directors provided for their communities ( the state of Pennsylvania took away the ambulance businesses from funeral directors in the late 1970s ) . We learned to park in that garage . With only inches between vehicles , very large vehicles , we became very good at close - quarter parking and parallel parking on curbs . When it came time to " parallel park " for Mr. Raso , the Quaker Valley driving school instructor , we taught him a few things . And all those vehicles always had to be clean ! We remember Mr. Gray and his family well . Mr. Gray , always on the couch in the upstairs living room with his two small dogs ( boxers ) and a roaring fire in the winter months . Mrs. Gray , however , spent her time in the back courtyard , tending her gardens ( in the non - winter months ) and especially her roses , which were everywhere . We have the many photo albums of all this . Mr. Gray was the Great Grandson of the very first funeral director in Sewickley , Mr. Joeseph Marlatt . The first funeral home in town sat at the corners of Fife and Division Streets , and was established in the early 1800's , Ultimately moving to the corner of Broad and Centennial Streets . Joeseph Marlatt was a cabinet maker who also learned how to build and construct coffins and turned Sewickley's first school building , 1818 , ( a log cabin on Division St. ) into a funeral home . James Marlatt , Joseph's son was born in 1839. James ile suppor of bir os also became a funeral director and took over the family business in the early 1870's after his father's passing . In 1871 , Walter S. Marlatt was born and eventually entered the funeral business as well . iles hey serve · hem ur gene of if it menir a Nate Pedingen motify the prin of the Cemetery , that gi J. MARLAIT . Sewickley , 23 , 1861 . Marlatt Undertaker Advertisement , 1861 , Sewickley , PA In 1956 , after nearly fifty years of service to the Sewickley Valley and surrounding communities , William Gray announced his new partnership with Dick Cole and the Gray - Cole Funeral Home was established . Both men became pillars of the community , not only providing needed funeral and ambulance services but also highly active with the local Kiwanis Club , Masonic Lodge . Shriners . and the Sewickley Valley Board of Trade . Both men were members of the Sewickley Methodist Church . Richard D. Cole Funeral father , Dick Cole , came to the Pittsburgh area with his family after attending Uniontown High School in 1942. He graduated from Allegheny Vocational School in Pittsburgh and became interested in the funeral business For over 6 - decades , J.W. Marlatt and Sons in 1943. Before pursuing his career , he served operated at the Broad and Centennial property tour in Europe during World War II in the and in 1923 the business was moved to a new Army Air Corps ( the precursor to the United location on the corner of Logan and Beaver States Air Force ) . He became a " tail - gunner " Streets , presently R.D. Copeland's Funeral in a B17 bomber ( Akk - Akk - Annie was her Home ( 1998 ) , previously the Dallas S. Irvine name ) . He told us it was not the best place to Funeral Home ( 1930-1945 ) after the passing of sit in an aircraft while being shot at by enemy Walter Marlatt in 1930. The funeral business fighter planes . The missions were long , and there continued under the direction of Maria many did not return . Marlatt , Walter's wife , via a PA State provided " Widow's License " ( a process provided by the State within funeral law , for the spouse of a licensed funeral director to continue the business , providing a licensed Director is on staff ) . Dallas S. Irvine became the staff funeral director and then purchased the business in 1945. Mr. Irvine passed in 1966. In the early 1950's , William ( Bill ) Neuman became the Supervisor of Irvine Funeral Home . Mr. Neuman then became the business owner in the early 1970's . He passed away in 1992 . Mr. Gray was the son of Albert and Eva Marlatt Gray . He attended Sewickley Public Schools , the Pittsburgh School of Embalming and Eckles College in Philadelphia where he took post - graduate classes in Post - Operative Anatomy . From 1907 to 1931 he was employed by his Uncle , Walter S. Marlatt . Mr. Gray became a licensed funeral director , passing the State Board of Undertakers in 1926. In 1931 , after the death of his Uncle , Mr. Gray started his own funeral business and moved to a new location at 328 Beaver Street , Sewickley : the William E. Gray Funeral Home . Returning from the service Dad again entertained the prospect of the funeral business . He entered and graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science ( PIMS ) in Oakland and served his apprenticeship in McKeesport and on Pittsburgh's Northside at Pinkerton's Funeral Home . In June of 1951 , he married Geraldine ( Jeri ) Coomes , also from the Northside , and moved to Sewickley a month later to work at the William E. Gray Funeral Home . In 1953 Dick and Jeri Cole established themselves and their own funeral business and added a limousine service ( livery ) operating out of their house on Blackburn Avenue . Their son , Rick , was born in 1955 ; I can still remember Dad jumping over the stone wall in the backyard to get to Locust Street where his limos were garaged . That house still stands , right across from the YMCA . I see it in my mind every time I walk up to the Y. Our Dad leased the space from John Herbst ( of the Herbst service station on Walnut and Thorn Streets ) . The property on Locust is presently under construction and being converted into Enter Richard D. ( Dick ) and Jeri Cole . Our condominiums . Home was established in January of 1963 after Mr. Gray's retirement . He continued to live upstairs in the main building until he passed away in the late 1960's . Dick Cole did not sleep much between funerals and all the work that they require ( sometimes 2-3 a week that lasted 3-4 days each ) , the ambulance business ( he had two ( 2 ) and they were rarely in the garage ) and , becoming a two - term Mayor of Sewickley ( he won the election in 1969 and again in 1973 ) plus all the extra - curricular activities that he and our Mom , Jeri , were involved in within the community . The business station wagon was constantly used as transport for seniors to and from doctor's offices , grocery stores . and nursing homes , free of charge of course . That was the Dick Cole way of doing things . We cannot count all the folding chairs that we delivered over the years to local events , parties , weddings , etc. a community service that Mr. Gray started many years prior . It was all quite inspiring and set a positive course in life for us , their three children . Unfortunately Dad passed very early in his life at the young age of fifty - one ( 51 ) when a fatal stroke took him on August 1 , 1977 , forty- seven ( 47 ) years ago . It was a very tragic life