Tom Cole - Obituary

oger Thomas “Tom” Cole, Jr., of Annapolis, MD passed away on October 19, 2026. He was 61 years old. Tom was born in Princeton, New Jersey on November 19, 1964 to the late Roger T. Cole Sr. and Gloria Gray Cole. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree and then went on to Rutgers University where he received his MBA. He built his career over 30 years at BBPC, where he worked his way up to become partner and owner, with his name joining the firm’s. He helped pioneer the public-private partnerships that transformed military housing in the United States, advising the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force on bringing private investment to bases at home and abroad, including Navy bases in Hawaii, Japan, and Guam, and represented the Navy in negotiations with the government of Japan. Over his career he guided more than $15 billion in development across 48 states and five countries, for states, cities and private developers as well as the military, from family housing to downtown and waterfront projects. Tom was a dedicated father and husband. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved duck hunting with his father, sons, and friends, as well as boating on the Chesapeake Bay. He enjoyed vacationing at the beach, listening to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and Van Morrison. He volunteered to coach his sons’ youth lacrosse teams and enjoyed planning involved, outdoor birthday parties. His top priority was never himself, and he made sure that any large decisions considered the wellness of his family over his own. He was known for his intelligence, determination, and dry sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Anyura Cole, his four sons Travis Cole and his wife Megan Shanahan of Boston, MA, Brooks Cole of Annapolis, MD, Blake Cole of Frederick, MD, and Grady Cole of New Haven, CT, and his sisters Susan Cole of Montclair, NJ and Mary Cole of Mendham, NJ. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Tom’s life on Tuesday, October 27, starting at 10 AM and his service will begin at 11 AM at Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road Edgewater, MD 21037. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 1911 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401.