Donald Cole

Ode to Donald Arthur Cole

April 20, 1933 - May 5, 2013



Soon after his 80th birthday, early May 5th when Woodbine horses breeze, Don passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. Survived by wife Elizabeth (Betty) of 54 wonderful and adventurous years; children: Victoria, Donna and Malcolm; sons-inlaw: Michael and James; grandchildren: Derek, Fraser, Dallas, Cole and Copeland; great grandson, Coen.



Born in St. Catherines, son of Constance Read and William Cole, brother of Ralph, Don grew up in Toronto in a time without school buses when children walked to school and saved 20 cents a week from their allowance to see Saturday afternoon matinees. He attended Humewood School and Vaughan Road Collegiate enjoying English and Math. Finishing Grade 9 and wanting to grow up fast, Don (age 16) quit school to work in a small office earning $27.50 per week. Single and carefree, Don then headed west to work on oil rigs and ships. When broke, he returned home and drove taxi. His school buddies remained lifelong friends spending their early adult years enjoying Wychwood Bible Club poker games, horse racing, Masonic dances and the Bala Key. On this faithful path, Don met Betty (his Scottish lass) at a dance, beginning their 54 years of romance and adventure.



If Don was the entrepreneur, Betty was his showgirl. Full of energy, song and dance, Betty was at once his soulmate. At age 25 they married: Don in a suit gifted by his mother. Soon after, a volkswagon and three children followed along with jobs in sales and finance. Marriage in the 60's was filled with fun, laughter and daily challenges. The loss of Don's parents reminded him to appreciate each day and to work hard for success to provide for his young family. His persistence, love of sales, interest in people and travel led to a rewarding career in the cordage industry which became Don's calling. With his handshake, came his word. Starting at the bottom he moved to the top from commission salesman, to manager, to CEO at Brantford Cordage and then in 1967 he started his own business, Centennial Cordage. A world sisal shortage put him out of business but an interim career with Empire Stevedoring promoting the ports of Vancouver and Toronto forged new opportunities and friendships along the way until returning to the cordage industry as President of Amjay Cordage. Eventually, Don bought the company and retired at age 58 to spend quality time with Betty. His son, Malcolm purchased the business and furthered its success.



Throughout his career, Don travelled extensively throughout Canada, USA, Mexico Haiti, Europe, Brazil and Africa. Doing what he loved and was good at gave Don great pride and happiness. Most of all he enjoyed meeting people and experiencing new places. Travel gave him a greater appreciation of the world and how fortunate he was to do what he loved. He forged lifelong friendships through work and his personal life, always sharing his generosity, compassion and positive outlook with others.



Although Don loved his work, he missed being home with his wife and family during business travel as they always came first. His success awarded them to move from Wychwood to Thornhill, to the horse towns of Nobleton and Kleinburg and finally to Island Grove on the shores of Lake Simcoe. Escaping cold winters, Don and Betty went south to Florida each year as Snowbirds and Lovebirds alike. Scrapbooking family vacations, following the stock market, playing cards and feeding the thoroughbreds at Woodbine were all on Don's favourite list. His pride "Don's Folly" highlighted his horse racing career and was one of the few reasons he rose early in the morning "to catch his horse gallop" while shooting the breeze with his trainers and groomers.



For the family, Don's fondest memory was celebrating their milestone 50th anniversary along with his children and their offspring at an Island cottage in the Muskokas for a full week. Then - fulfilling yet another dream- it was off to Italy and Greece for Betty and Don to continue their celebration on their own. Don's life was indeed full and well lived. He always considered himself a Lucky Man.



At age 79, when diagnosed with AML (Acute Myetoid Leukemia) Don simply wanted "more of the same". After being treated he went into remission, travelled to Florida, broke his hip, convalesced, took a Caribbean cruise and spent the remainder of the winter in Destin before relapsing and returning home to Canada. Although Don's health began to deteriorated quickly in April, he was still able to celebrate his 80th birthday with his family and a little chocolate mousse.



With the kindness and expert care of physicians, nurses and home care services, Don was able to remain at home in his bed with Betty beside him to the end. It was Betty who made everything come together to keep him comfortable and in his own home. As per his wishes, a private family service was held on Monday in Sutton. Always, thinking of others, it was Don's wish to "keep things simple" knowing the difficulty travel posed for so many of his family and friends who are elderly, farther away and outside of Canada.



We thank Don and Betty's relatives, many friends and all of the medical personnel who cared, shared hope and best wishes throughout the past year. He was truly grateful for all the love, support and extra time he was given. In memory and in lieu of flowers, a donation to Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (Leukemia Services - Hematological Cancer Research) at (416) 946-6560 or Southlake's Stronach Regoinal Cancer Centre at (905) 836-7333 would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be emailed to bythelake27@yahoo.ca

Whenever you fancy a flutter, remember Lucky Don.