Jack Cole
February 26, 1934 – April 16, 2016

John Howard Cole, Jack, Jackie, Papa Jack, Pops, Minnesota Jacks, Dad as he is affectionately known by many passed away on April 17, 2016 at 7:35 pm after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
He is survived by his 3 daughters and their families; Debbie (Ed) and his grandchildren Cole and Devon, Dana (Doug) and his grandchildren Jessica and Vikki and Diane (Troy) and his grandchildren Cassidy and Cross. Predeceased by his wife Jean Morier Cole (Woodward), father Elbearne and Mary (Mae) Cole (Gordon), Sister Roberta Scott Turner (Bobbie), Brother in-law, William (Bill) Turner and their surviving children Jan, Linda, Lorri and Scott and their families; sister Mary-lee Bacchus, Brother in-law Bob Bacchus, and their surviving children Cathy and Lee and their families.

Jack was born in Saskatoon February 26, 1934. In grade 5 he moved to Victoria, Shoal Bay (McNeil Bay). In grade 7 he moved to Burnaby and attended Wilson Elementary and eventually settled in a home on Jubilee in Burnaby where he graduated from Burnaby South High School in 1952. An avid athlete he played Football for the Vancouver Blue Bombers, Boxed, and played Rugby which became a live long passion. He was one of the original founders of the Pocomo Rugby Club (United Rugby Club) and the Twlighters Rugby Club and spent many crazy years with his Rugby pals.

Always the hard worker he worked part time at the Royal Oak Pharmacy and Oak Theatre, later moved to Shell Oil, Shellburn Refinery as an office boy and later moved on to BC Tel in Vancouver. He retired from BC Tel after 38 years and decided to take on 2 other careers; partnering with his daughter Diane he worked in Real Estate and later as a Cruise Ship agent; finally really retiring at the age of 65.

In 1957 he met the love of his life, Jean at a dance at Hollywood Bowl in New Westminster, hanging with his 2 close buddies Don Gault (Happy) and Doug Booth. He has always been known for his jiving teaching Jean when they met and learning from his big Sis Roberta.

Jack and Jean were married on February 14, 1959. They developed a passion for curling and spent many years curling together, dancing at the legion and raising their family before Jean passed away in 1994.
Jack was a family man, always there for his girls and their families. Very active in his grandchildren’s lives. He had a zest for life and always enjoyed a good laugh.

Jack was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and required support from many people over the years. A big thank you to Fraser Health and the Nurses, Nurse Practitioner and Case Workers and all of the nursing staff that supported us at Eagle Ridge Hospital. Thank you to all of the Women that cared for him; to name a few Julia, Bev, Jenny and finally Tess and Maria. Tess was wonderful to Dad treating him like her own Father. Maria was there with Dad during his greatest time of need and she was an angel; loved him like a father and treated him like gold.

He will be greatly missed by his family but we know we will always have our memories.