Glen Maurice Cole

July 17, 1928 – October 30, 2012

Dorothy, Glenda, Grant, Kelly, and Bryan are heartbroken to advise of Glen’s passing on October 30. Glen passed away very peacefully, surrounded by love, at his home on Reminiscent Way at the Sherbrooke Community Centre.

Glen is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy, daughter Glenda of Calgary, and son and daughter-in-law Grant and Kelly and precious grandson, Bryan, of Saskatoon. Glen is also survived by his loving sisters and brother, June Mulligan of Watrous, Freda Rowan of Young, Rene (Elie) Musa of Edmonton, Pearl Geraldi (Mel Gorbous) of Edmonton, and Allen (Rae) Cole of McAuley, and sisters-in-law Eva Cole of Maple Ridge and Margit Duncan of Surrey. Glen is also survived by numerous, much loved nephews and nieces and by innumerable treasured friends dating as far back as his elementary school days in Watrous and as recently as those he met during the 18 months Glen lived on Reminiscent Way with Dorothy. He was predeceased by his treasured parents, Frank and Rose Cole, of Watrous, his brother George Cole of Maple Ridge, his brother and sister-in-law, Donnie and Shirley Cole of Saskatoon, his sister and brother-in-law Pat and Wes McFarland of Drake, and his brothers-in-law Harold Mulligan of Watrous, Stuart Rowan of Young, Bill Geraldi of Edmonton, and Floyd Duncan, of Surrey.

Glen was born in Cabri, Saskatchewan, the fifth of the nine Cole children. The Cole family moved to Watrous in 1932. The Cole family has remained very close and Cole family reunions have been frequent and joyous events over the years.

Glen remarked at his and Dorothy’s 50th wedding anniversary party that his and Dorothy’s lives revolved around their great loves “family, church and friends”. There could be no truer statement. Glen simply loved meeting and helping people. He not only helped them when they clearly needed a hand, he actively looked for opportunities to care for others. He was a proud Mason and Shriner and served in a variety of volunteer roles including as an air cadet leader, a member of the First United Church Board and the Public School Board in Melville, Chair of National Transportation Week, President and member of the CN Pensioners Club, a volunteer with McClure United Church and the McClure Seniors, and a member of the Valentino Place Condominium Board. Glen often reminisced about how happy his life had been, starting with a childhood spent with family and friends at Watrous and Manitou Beach and progressing through his 62 year marriage to Dorothy filled with joyous family times, a wonderful 38 year career with CN Rail in Watrous, Melville and Saskatoon and a “retirement” career selling menswear at Eatons.

Glen and Dorothy were true partners and Glen was the very best husband and dad. One of Glen’s greatest joys in life was becoming Bryan’s grandpa. Glen’s heart was broken when Dorothy became ill with Alzheimer Disease in 2000 but being a born caregiver, no one could have taken better care of Dorothy, both while at home and at Sherbrooke. Not only did Glen care for Dorothy he also cared for the other residents of Reminiscent Way and for the pets who periodically resided there.

In August, 2010, Glen’s health issues required him to move from Valentino Place, the condo he and Dorothy had so loved living in together. With the assistance of family and the loving support of caregivers Helen Waddell and Marti Adrienne and staff from Bayshore Home Health, Glen was able to enjoy living with old friends and meeting new ones at Preston Park. In April, 2011, Glen’s health deteriorated to a point where he too required long term care. The Cole family is very thankful for Reminiscent Way manager, Deb Schick, who ensured that Glen could live in the room next to Dorothy, giving Dorothy and Glen an additional 18 months to spend every day together.

The Cole family is so thankful for the community of care, friendship and support that has surrounded them, particularly during Glen’s illness over the past four years. Glen was very thankful for the team he referred to as his “A team” of doctors, Mick Jutras, Angela Baldelli, Erik Paus Jenssen, Joel Yelland, Andrew Kirk, and Lillian Thorpe and for the years of health that these compassionate professionals and their staff helped Glen enjoy. The Cole family is also very thankful for the friendship and compassion shown to Glen and the family by Reverend Ron McConnell of McClure United Church.

Glen had great respect and love for the staff of Reminiscent Way. They treated him as if he were a member of their own families. The Cole family will be forever thankful for the incredibly loving care and compassion shown to Glen by past and current Reminiscent Way special care aides, nursing and support staff and all those who provide services to the residents of Reminiscent Way.

A Celebration of Glen’s beautiful life will be held on Saturday, November 3 at 10:00 a.m. at McClure United Church, 4025 Taylor Street East (corner of McKercher Drive and Taylor Street) with Reverend Ron McConnell presiding. Lunch will follow. Internment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the Cole family knows Glen would appreciate donations to the Kinsmen Telemiracle or to McClure United Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Acadia-McKague’s Funeral Centre (955-1600). Condolences may be forwarded to the family via: www.acadiamckaguesfuneralcentre.com.