Joseph E. Toole, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Retired), age 69, of Bedford, died on October 15, 2017.

The son of the late Hastings and Sarah (Kellum) Toole, he was raised in Winter Garden, Florida. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and earned his master's degree at LSU in invertebrate zoology.

Joe attended college on an ROTC scholarship, and following his studies, he remained in the Air Force for 23 years. For the last five years, he was stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base and retired as Lt. Col. He remained in the Bedford area working as a military contractor, specializing in foreign military sales.

He enjoyed sports, especially football and baseball.

He is survived by his former wife, Laurel (Boss) Toole of Bedford, his children, Philip E. Toole of Bedford and Sarah Orkwis of Lawrence, KS, his sister, Nancy Vendur of FL and nephew, Tom Vendur of FL.

Visitation will be at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Friday, October 20, from 3:00-6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Disabled American Veterans, 24 Beacon St., State House Suite 546, Boston, MA 02113 or National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 1730 M Street NW Suite 705, Washington, DC 20036.