Tom Poole Left the World a Better Place

A disabled Marine and veteran of Vietnam from Woonsocket who volunteered his time for Disabled American Veterans and Operation Stand Down is being mourned.

Tom Poole, 56, was doing one of the things he loved -- riding his motorcycle -- on Interstate 86 in New York on Friday when the car next to him swerved and struck him.

Poole was thrown from his bike and was severely injured before responders transported him to Wilson Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

The accident is under investigation, but the New York state police said that the driver of the car that struck Poole’s motorcycle, identified as Judy Bogad of Ardmore, PA, was trying to avoid a large black bear in the road that had just been struck by a Jeep Cherokee driven by Clay Monroe of Bronxville, NY.

Moore’s death is a huge loss for the veterans community in Rhode Island, who will feel his absence at events and fundraisers and in the halls of the Veteran’s Hospital in the DAV office in Providence.

On a personal level, they’ll miss his warm heart, sense of humor and ability to make anyone feel at ease.

One of his friends, Ernie Almonte, the former Auditor General for Rhode Island, said on Facebook that “I have met people all over the world but I have never met a person more concerned about veterans and friends than Tom Poole.

“A Marine who taught me so much. Our world is better because of this man,” Almonte said.

Poole leaves behind his wife, Deanna, three children, a sister and six grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Keene-Brown Funeral Home at 445 Greenville Road in North Smithfield.

Burial with military honors will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.

Poole worked for the Gillette Co. and Proctor & Gamble. He was a life member of the DAV, the Patriot Guard Riders and the American Independence Riders.

He was preceded in death by a brother Mark Poole.

Friends have posted remembrances and condolences on his obituary.