Charles V. Cole (B.A. History- Mount Allison '46, LL.B- Boston University '48 . LL.M- Harvard '49) age 89, passed away peacefully at Ottawa Civic Hospital with his son Peter & daughter inlaw Beau by his side on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 following a valiant battle with Parkinson's. Born in Sackville, N.B. on April 5, 1925, he was the son of the late Frank W. and Lucy (Diaz) Cole. Married to a loving, charismatic and terribly witty late Jean Grace for 62 years.
While at Harvard, Charles was mentored by one of the 20th century's most cited legal scholars & Dean, Mr. Roscoe Pound whom he had the honor of living with for a year. He quickly engaged himself into International Law at a time when few people were educated in this field. He also believed in the Socratic Method.
In 1950, Charles left for the University of Saskatchewan to teach Law, where he met the love of his life, Jean, one of his students. They eloped and their first son Frank was born in 1954. In 1955 upon return to Ottawa, Charles found work in the Legal Division of Foreign Affairs. Shortly after, he was made Foreign Service Officer much to Jean's excitement and embarked on 5 postings overseas mostly on ambassadorship including Pakistan ('63-'65), Czecholovakia ('68-'70), South Africa ('70-'71), The Hague (75'-79') and Peru (84'-86').
His career with the department was exemplary, notably; his tireless work involving human rights abuses, jurisdictional matters, opening consuls abroad and assisting people during times of strife, providing safe haven, opening Canada's immigration policy, writing many legal articles, aiding in the lawsuit from the Israeli passenger airline shot down over Bulgaria in '55, the Sydney Jaffe Kidnapping Case & the St. Pierre & Miquelon Maritime Boundary Case. Charles was highly trained in International Law and World History at a time when Canada and the Justice Department had likely not recognized it's validity.
During his lifetime, Charles was an accomplished competitive speedskater, downhill skier, avid historian & a compasionate libertarian humanist. He was always dedicated first and foremost to his family. Charles loved returning to his roots and family in Sackville and looked forward to August's blueberry harvests, oysters and lobster.
Charles was predeceased by his wife Jean Howard (1931-2014) and son Frank Howard Cole (1954-2000) filmaker, & world record holder for crossing the Sahara Desert by camel. Also by his three sisters; Frances, Jennie ( grand nephew Jay), Marcella and two brothers, Chester and Frank.
He is survived by his son Peter and grandaughter Jacynthe, his sister in law Florence (Dykeman) Cole , his nephew Frank (Ruth) Cole, nieces Sally (Ben) Cole, Sheila MacDonald, Lisa (Randy) Cole, Marcia Steele, grand nephews Michael, Ross, Craig, grand nieces Veronica, Ingrid, Olivia and great grand niece Jayden.
He will be sorely missed but his legacy and eternal smile will remain in our hearts and minds forever. In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson's Society of Canada . A celebration of his life will be conducted on September 27, 2014 in Sackville NB. For more information contact: peterjcole@hotmail.com