Family, friends and service members from Naval Munitions Command Atlantic, Unit Charleston, gathered June 1 at All Saints Chapel, Joint Base Charleston, for a memorial service for a Sailor and his family who passed away May 16.

Mineman 1st Class Cole Spennati, his wife Elise, a Navy veteran, and their two daughters were killed in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 95 in Robeson Country, North Carolina on their way back from leave visiting family in Pennsylvania.

Spennati had been assigned to Naval Munitions Command Atlantic, Unit Charleston since October 2014. His wife, Elise, was a former sonar technician (surface) 2nd class and last served aboard USS Stout (DDG 55) in 2015.

The Sailor was a respected, hard-working member of the team. His senior leadership shared their thoughts to everyone in attendance.

"Mr. and Mrs. Spennati, Mr. and Mrs. Larson family members and friends there are no words of condolence that can begin to touch the magnitude of suffering and loss that you have experienced," said Cmdr Pat Sutton, commanding officer, NMCLANT Unit Charleston. "But I want you to know with complete certainty your Navy family and the community here at Weapons Station Charleston share in your sorrow. This young family touched so many lives here and across the Navy and we too are left with a deep sense of loss. My hope today, indeed all our hope, is simply that your hearts will find shelter and some of the hurt will subside and we can begin to look forward together."

Those who worked closest with him spoke during the ceremony about fond memories of their time together.

"When times got tough the first person I could rely on to be there was Cole. That is just the type of connection Cole had with me," said Mineman 1st Class Aaron Sperry. "There was nothing I couldn't lean on him for, whether it was things I had long forgotten or his drive and determination to get the job done."

Other co-workers and shipmates from Naval Munitions Command recounted Spennati's influence on them.

"Cole and I met when we were deployed to Bahrain together. Ever since we met I always thought to myself that's the kind of Mineman I want to be. He knew just about everything," said Mineman 2nd Class Dustin Whitehouse. "Cole became a mentor to me not only at work but outside of work as well. Cole was a brother to all of us. He touched each of us in a special way. There won't be a day that goes by I won't miss or think of him.

The event included a flag presentation to the Spennati family.

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