Donald Cole RIP
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2023 6:02 pm
From Paul Cole...
My father passed over peacefully today and in no pain. A life of 96 years is an astonishing achievement for anyone and I’m thankful for the time I had with him over the years.
I’m comforted with the belief he is with those he loved . He spent his childhood enjoying quiet summers at Nomad with his loving grandparents Gat and Julie Cole while his mother cooked at the King Strang Hotel.
He would fondly recall carefree days of playing on the beach of Nomad skipping stones as purple sweet peas grew wildly along the shore. Julie would call and beckon him to come and eat pancakes on warm summer mornings of days long ago. The beauty of Nomad and lake Geneserath at the south end was a world apart from the town of St. James in his youth and he loved it all his life.
My dad lost his father tragically 86 years ago in the Oswald/ Marold explosion. He often spoke of how he lived a lifetime with his father in the 10 years he had him… the bond they had was strong and enduring even after 86 years. He can now reunite with him,my mother and others he loved. Ironically his nurse that helped him recently was named Honey…( my mother’s nickname). She was compassionate and as caring as my mom.
He still had his wit in his final weeks. With his dementia he couldn’t always recall everything so we would have to review his health issues at times…when he would wake up from a nap. One comical response recently after updating him on his health was” oh I’m in the daisy stage” to which we responded what do you mean..” you know I’ll be pushing up daisy’s soon”.
As humans we have imperfections and my father was no different. However his love of the Island history, our beautiful waters and archipelago, along with listening to music while making time for those you love are some of his enduring gifts to me.
I’ll continue to do what you did well- Work hard, play hard, take that boat ride, watch the sunset, turn up the music, spend time with those you love and always remember to tell a good story.
Your story closed today Dad but I’m thankful for being part of your book. In the spring I’ll walk among the sweet peas at Nomad, skip a stone and when it sends out ripples I’ll be reminded of the gift of love our ancestors gave years ago and continues today.
My father passed over peacefully today and in no pain. A life of 96 years is an astonishing achievement for anyone and I’m thankful for the time I had with him over the years.
I’m comforted with the belief he is with those he loved . He spent his childhood enjoying quiet summers at Nomad with his loving grandparents Gat and Julie Cole while his mother cooked at the King Strang Hotel.
He would fondly recall carefree days of playing on the beach of Nomad skipping stones as purple sweet peas grew wildly along the shore. Julie would call and beckon him to come and eat pancakes on warm summer mornings of days long ago. The beauty of Nomad and lake Geneserath at the south end was a world apart from the town of St. James in his youth and he loved it all his life.
My dad lost his father tragically 86 years ago in the Oswald/ Marold explosion. He often spoke of how he lived a lifetime with his father in the 10 years he had him… the bond they had was strong and enduring even after 86 years. He can now reunite with him,my mother and others he loved. Ironically his nurse that helped him recently was named Honey…( my mother’s nickname). She was compassionate and as caring as my mom.
He still had his wit in his final weeks. With his dementia he couldn’t always recall everything so we would have to review his health issues at times…when he would wake up from a nap. One comical response recently after updating him on his health was” oh I’m in the daisy stage” to which we responded what do you mean..” you know I’ll be pushing up daisy’s soon”.
As humans we have imperfections and my father was no different. However his love of the Island history, our beautiful waters and archipelago, along with listening to music while making time for those you love are some of his enduring gifts to me.
I’ll continue to do what you did well- Work hard, play hard, take that boat ride, watch the sunset, turn up the music, spend time with those you love and always remember to tell a good story.
Your story closed today Dad but I’m thankful for being part of your book. In the spring I’ll walk among the sweet peas at Nomad, skip a stone and when it sends out ripples I’ll be reminded of the gift of love our ancestors gave years ago and continues today.