It is with great sadness that the family of Baxter Matthew Coles announces his passing on April 17, 2019, aged 86 years. A kind and gentle man of the highest integrity with a great love of poetry and literature, he was a lifelong educator who finished his career at Memorial University as professor of English.
He was born and grew up in Savage Cove on the Great Northern Peninsula, the youngest of thirteen children. He started his teaching career there and brought his love of literature to many outport communities along the West Coast. He was well respected by both his colleagues and his students.
Predeceased by his loving wife Barbara (nee Sheppard), his parents, Matthew and Susannah (nee Mitchelmore) Coles, and his twelve siblings, Miriam (Llewellyn) Hounsell, Sarah, Bessie (Hedley) Fowler, Elisa, Albert, Bertha (Jim) Rumbolt, Dulcie, Harris (Marcia), Ethel (William) Rumbolt, William Henry, Beulah (George) Spencer, Ivy (Melvin) Farwell.
Leaving to mourn with grateful hearts so blessed to have had him are his three children, Karen (Ron) Howell, Keith (Dawn) Coles and David Coles; his three precious grandchildren, Emily and Sarah Howell and Alexander Coles and many special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who thought so much about him.
Resting at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road with visitation on Saturday, April 20 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm and Sunday, April 21 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral service will take place on Monday, April 22 @ 11 am at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 203 Logy Bay Road. Interment to follow at the Anglican Cemetery on Kenmount Road. Flowers gratefully accepted or a donation made to the charity of your choice in Baxter’s name.
“The old order changeth, yielding place to new, and God fulfils Himself in many ways…”
Copy Link SMS Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn google_plus
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Baxter Matthew Coles March 25 1933 to April 17 2019..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N