Obituary of Sonny Cole

With immense sadness, we write of the passing of Raymond (Sonny) Cole on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 90 years of age. He left us suddenly but peacefully while in Sackville Memorial Hospital being treated for pneumonia. 

Aside from being born in Amherst, NS and a short time spent in Halifax, Sackville was always his home.

Sonny was the son of the late Albert Russell Cole and Ester (Reese) Shea.

Sonny was employed with Enterprise Foundry for 52 years, moving through various shops with ever-changing responsibilities. After retirement, he found endless “make-work” projects, preferably to be done outdoors using his fix-it smarts and determination.  For many years he had a love or disgust relationship with his blueberry field on Second Westcock Hill. Full days could be spent there on the ride-on mower in the fall after a harvest.  In fact, he greatly enjoyed mowing anywhere and everywhere, round and round in circles.

This Christmas season, Sonny’s address was as usual, a busy spot selling the balsam fir trees that he and Kirk had trimmed and cut, along with his hand-made wreaths.  Ninety of those were sold by December 23^rd, the day before he was admitted to hospital.

We wish to extend sincere appreciation to the staff at Sackville Memorial Hospital for their kindness and especially to Dr. Wall and nurse, Sandy, for their initiative and so many efforts made on behalf of our dad on his final day.

We also want to send hugs to the two ladies at the iron infusion station who, last Wednesday, went above and beyond to quickly assess “Raymond”  and set in motion the extra care he needed. 

This very special man will be missed every day by his children, Kirk and Kim, though we are so grateful to have had him play such a huge part in our lives for as long as he did.

Besides his parents, Sonny was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis, in 2013 and his son, Kris, in January of this year.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Erin Campbell and staff of Campbell’s Funeral Home, 89 Bridge Street, Sackville N.B. (506) 364-8188. In keeping with Sonny’s wishes, cremation has taken place and at his request, there will  be no visitation or funeral service.

Dad was always curious about what happens after a person dies. Now he knows. We hope it is as wonderful as he deserves.

On-line condolences and sharing of memories may be forwarded to the family through our website www.campbellsfuneralhome.com or by visiting the funeral home Facebook page.