Abraham Abiodun Cole (30 Dec 1934 - 9 Mar 2016)

In loving memory of Abraham Abiodun Cole who sadly passed away on 9th March 2016

Abraham Abiodun COLE was born in Benin-city on December 30th more than 80 years ago. His father was Reuben Arthur Cole of the popular Cole family of Olowogbowo in Lagos Island the commercial capital of Nigeria in West Africa. His dad was a timber merchant who had relocated to that part of Nigeria in furtherance of his business. His mother was the Late Lydia Cole of the ALAKA family of Okeisha , Ijofin in Ilesha. She was a trader. His father died in 1946 and his mother in 1988. He was the second son that Lydia bore for Reuben Arthur Cole. His immediate older brother Archibald and younger sister Agnes Ayinke have since passed on. His youngest sister Oke is the only surviving child of the 37 that the late Reuben Arthur Cole had, and presently lives in Lagos, Nigeria. He also has a half-brother Mr. Frederick Popo the last child of Lydia who lives in Benin-City.

Abraham Abiodun Cole attended Eweka Memorial School in Benin-city. He worked with the United Africa Company (U.A.C.) as a secretary, first in Benin-city and later in Warri hence he was called by his younger siblings “Brother Warri”. The U.A.C. , eventually transferred him to Lagos. While in Lagos, he lived at the Cole family house at 38, Doherty street Lagos Island and it was from here he set out for the United Kingdom in October 1960. He was a keen footballer and in his day played for the U.A.C. club side. He was a handsome and personable young man, very fashionable and always neatly turned out. His late mother was wont to say he was so good looking he should have been born a girl. In the 70s and 80s he had a wardrobe full of pure silk shirts all with a faint smell of ‘TABU’ which was one of the leading fragrances of that age. He had shoes, boots and coats aplenty. In addition to his physical attributes, God gave him a heart of Gold.

He supported the Manchester United football club throughout his lifetime.

Abraham Abiodun Cole worked for many years with London Transport. After he left London Transport he worked for himself in the minicab business. His knowledge of London, a city he had grown to love, stood him in good stead. He was particularly fond of cars manufactured by Volvo who in those days made the safest cars.

He was the kindest man you could ever meet and extremely generous even at the expense of his own comfort. He never lost his temper nor raised his voice. He was always soft spoken and courteous. You were more likely to get into an argument with him because you would not take yet another gift from him. He was extremely trusting and wouldn’t believe that anyone would set out to harm another. He only saw the good side of everybody and every situation.

He met and married Rita Curley in London on the 18th of May 1968. Between them they had six children: Jean (late), David, Abraham Jnr. , Naomi, Deborah and Aaron.

He lived to a ripe old age and passed away peacefully surrounded by his children on Wednesday 9th March 2016.