Archie Russell Cole was born in 1907 in Lynn, MA. Mr. Cole received a bachelor of arts degree from Bates College in Maine in 1929 and a master's degree in English in 1939.  He was the husband of Nellie (Veazie) Cole.

He began his career in Winstead, Conn., and taught English and social studies at the junior and senior high school levels. He then taught in Lincoln, N.H., where he later became principal of an elementary school. He was named principal of Eldredge School in 1945.

Mr. Cole was superintendent of East Greenwich schools from 1948 until retiring in 1971.  For 23 years, he was a friendly, respected and well-admired superintendent. During his tenure, he saw the near tripling of the student population, and the expansion of the system from three schools to six. Mr. Cole was well-respected by others because of his quiet leadership.  He displayed great energy and enthusiasm in building the left wing addition of Cole which was then the East Greenwich High School.

The junior high school, formerly known as East Greenwich Junior High, was dedicated and named Archie R. Cole Junior High in his honor in a special ceremony in 1981.

Mr. Cole died on January 15, 1986 at the age of 78.