The funeral for legendary broadcaster Bob Cole was held this afternoon in the church and neighbourhood of St. John’s where he grew up
Cole’s funeral was almost as much about the notables who managed to get here, through the fog, to say goodbye.
And a day before a Game 7 between the Leafs and Bruins, no less.
Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean led a contingent of colleagues that included Elliott Friedman and former NHLer Glenn Healey.
Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean offers condolences to family members of legendary broadcaster Bob Cole following the funeral service at St. Thomas Anglican Church in St. John's Friday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/rTSyGqNsq5
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Premier Andrew Furey and former premier Danny Williams, as well as Brad Gushue and Mark Nichols were also there to honour the man who, while known for calling some great goals, scored himself a career that seemed to span his and our lifetimes.
Cole was praised for not only his voice, cadence and timing, but as a storyteller, a creator of magic, gritty, and lover of rum and coke.
But above all, a father who loved taking his kids along for the ride.
Indeed, they noted his most captivated audience wasn’t the millions on T.V., but the ones around the dinner table.
MacLean, meanwhile, said Cole opened a window for us to see the game, even if it was through the gleam in his eyes.
The Ennis Sisters perform during Bob Cole’s funeral
Music trio the Ennis Sisters performed a number of selections throughout the service and the CLB Band provided a fitting sendoff, offering up renditions of the Regatta’s Up the Pond and the theme from Hockey Night in Canada Cole’s other two places of worship.
