Date of Birth: June 19, 1939
Date of Death: September 2, 2018
COLE – John Bernard of Melville, Sask. passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018, at the age of 79 years.
He was predeceased by parents, Verona and William Cole; sister, Joan Cole; and brothers, Bill, Chuck and Vince.
John is survived by (oldest to youngest), Mary (Cole) Daly, Helen (Cole) Norton, Patricia (Cole) Goodine and James Cole.
To say it simply, John came from a loving Catholic family, to whom he was a “father figure” kind of brother.
A Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, John grew up with a love of baseball and played with a team called the Toronto Fire Fighters. John was an amazing pitcher, and on one occasion, he pitched a no-hitter, striking out 19 batters. He continued to play ball into his mid-40s. John loved music such as Johnny Cash, and he even saw Elvis Presley (only trip to Canada) at Maple Leaf Gardens.
On May 25, 1963, John married Carol Abdai and had three children, Steve (wife Alice), Wendy (spouse Glen and son Matthew) and Jennifer (husband Brennan and daughters Savannah, Natalie and Charlotte) and always had a family cat (Buddy, Spanky).
John worked at a printing press factory for many years, then in 1975 he started working at the General Motors Plant.
John and Carol enjoyed going to Toronto Maple Leafs games a couple of times each year. John also loved the horse races, of which all of his children have fond memories of “trying to pick the winner”.
Carol played the guitar, and they enjoyed get-togethers with friends, having drinks and singalongs. Along with his best friend, Bob Hadlow, John umpired and coached son Steve’s sports teams and had big dreams for his son’s baseball career.
John loved competition, and as a kid, if you could beat him at crib then you could get off a grounding or of course just for fun. In his final years, many days were spent playing cards with his son, Steve.
Funny enough, Steve could never beat his dad on occasions like Father’s Day or his birthday. Piles of score cards will serve as memories.
The family’s backyard and huge field behind served as an ice rink and baseball field. Even having two daughters didn’t stop John. Jennifer and Wendy were entertained throwing pitches or put in net.
John was the kind of dad who picked you up on payday and took you to McDonald’s and always made sure that Christmas was memorable. If you were lucky enough to tag along on the beer run, then your bum fit perfect on the six-pack next to him. Much time was also spent with his grandson, Matthew when Matthew was young.
Mrs. Alice Daly, an elderly lady across the street, was a very special friend to John and family; we looked up to her as our adopted Grandma.
We are so very thankful for Steve, as he was by his dad’s side during his last days. And, all these years, he took good care of Dad for all his appointments. Steve told us that Dad said, “it was his turn to go,” as he had recently lost his brothers, Vince and Chuck. Dad also asked Steve to “take care of his family.” What a wonderful friendship between a father and son. Steve said goodbyes for all of us.
Thank you to Alice, Mom, Wendy and Glen, all who were there in this hard time. John was a humble, caring, loving and kind man. We all love you very much and are sending prayers to heaven.
John’s funeral service was held Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Matthews Funeral Home, Melville, with the Rev. Fr. Andrew Sowa, OMI, officiating. The organist, Gaylene Matthews, led in the hymns “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” and Johnny Cash’s rendition of “Peace in the Valley” was played as a special tribute. As a tribute to John’s love of baseball and the New York Yankees, the family chose to name the following as honorary pallbearers: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey
Mantle and Joe Dimagio.
Interment took place in the Melville City Cemetery with family members acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville, SK.
