The loss of Bob Cole continues to reverberate throughout the province and hockey circles around the world.
The St. John’s-born broadcasting legend died Wednesday night at the age of 90, surrounded by his family.
Premier Andrew Furey says he got to know Cole on a personal level while he was a patient of his some time ago.
As well, he says they spoke just last year while firing the pistol to start back-to-back races at the Royal St. John’s Regatta.
Oh baby, Bob Cole is a legend. As a broadcaster, the voice of hockey in Canada for decades. As a gentleman, a family man, and – perhaps most importantly – as a Newfoundlander and Labradorian. He showed the people of our province that you can make it on the national stage. To Bob! pic.twitter.com/A4qytvwzW9
— Andrew Furey (@FureyAndrew) April 25, 2024
“He was an incredible man, an incredible voice,” Furey told reporters on Thursday. “Not just for hockey across our great nation, but for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Hearing him call games allowed us to dream, allowed us to realize that we could achieve great heights.
“You could hear it, you could see him, you could feel it, a Newfoundlander on the world stage — this could be us.”
St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen says Cole gave of himself every time the city came calling.
A true Newfoundland and Labrador legend indeed and the voice of hockey in Canada. On behalf of everyone at the City of St. John’s, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all who admired him. Rest in peace Bob. https://t.co/lT3yCr4zhF
— City of St. John's (@CityofStJohns) April 25, 2024
“Whenever we needed something, we’d go to Bob, and he was always willing to help out,” says Breen. “I remember when we were trying to get the 2017 Brier here, and we were raising awareness, and Bob was there, he’d come out, and that fantastic voice. That will never be forgotten in this province.”
Former Premier Danny Williams was running the St. John’s Ice Caps when the Bob Cole Media Centre was officially named and unveiled at the former Mile One Centre, now the Mary Brown’s Centre.
“He was right up there with the Danny Gallivans of the Canadiens and the Foster Hewitts of the Leafs,” Williams said.
“I think he’s recognized coast-to-coast and indeed right across the continent. A big loss for the province but Bob certainly gave us a lot of very good notoriety, a lot of goodwill, and he put Newfoundland and Labrador on the map from that perspective.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed sadness over news of Cole’s passing.
He was the voice of hockey for generations of Canadians. It’s hard to imagine the game without Bob Cole and his play-by-play. I’m thinking of his family and friends in Newfoundland and across the country today.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 25, 2024
And former Leaf great and captain Doug Gilmour had this to share:
Hockey has lost one of its most iconic voices. Bob Cole was a wonderful man whose voice we will never forget. I’m so thankful he was on the call for my career.#BobCole #SoloJob #OhBaby #HowAboutThat pic.twitter.com/8P8PLL4xkS
— Doug Gilmour (@douggilmour) April 25, 2024
Funeral arrangements for the late, great Bob Cole have yet to be announced.