HARTLAND, VT
Warren M. Cone, 88, a US Navy Rear Admiral whose 35 year military career included five sea commands, died on Wednesday, December 7 at his home in Hartland, Vermont.
He married Marjorie Jane Nutting in Woodstock, VT on August 1, 1945, and they had two sons. Admiral Cone retired from the Navy in 1977, after having served two years as Director of Communications Electronics for the US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. His sea commands included command of a ten ship Destroyer Squadron, a Destroyer Tender, a Destroyer, a Destroyer Escort, and a Patrol Craft.
From 1973 to 1975 Admiral Cone served as Director of Communications Electronics J-6, Joint Staff, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Washington DC. Admiral Cone also served on the staffs of the Chief of Naval Operations, Commander US Naval Forces Europe in London, England, and Commander Sixth Fleet, home ported in Villefranche, France.
Admiral Cone, a resident of Hartland since 1977, was born in Woodstock, VT and attended Springfield College and then Tufts College (as part of the Navy V-12 program during WWII). His enlistment began in 1943 and he was commissioned an Ensign shortly before the War ended.
He attended the Naval War College, The Naval Postgraduate School and George Washington University, where he received a degree in Business Administration. His decorations include a Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars, Meritorious Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
Since his retirement from the Navy, Admiral Cone has been active in the Windsor Rotary Club, serving as President 1984-5, and a Paul Harris Fellow. He has also served as Vermont Commissioner of Public Safety, District Three Environmental Commission and Member of the State Environmental Board, Justice of the Peace and Chairman of the Board of Civil Authority in Hartland, member of the Congregational Church, Board Member and treasurer of Camp Billings, Incorporator and Trustee Mt Ascutney Hospital, Member of the Hartland Nature Club, and an avid golfer and cross country skier.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Marjorie Nutting Cone of Hartland, two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Stephen L. Cone and Dr. Theresa P. Cone of Clayton, NJ and Hartland, VT, and Jonathan E. Cone and Nancy D. Cone of Hartland, VT and Larkspur, CO, six grandchildren, three great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 23 at 10:00 AM at the Hartland Congregational Church, with the Rev. Lucia Jackson, Pastor, officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow in the church hall. Committal services with military honors will be held in the spring in the Hartland Village Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hartland Congregational Church at PO Box 454, Hartland, VT 05048.
The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor is entrusted with the arrangements.