Hockey fans gather in St. John's as Bob Cole is laid to rest

Family, friends and fans from around the hockey world gathered in St. John's on Friday afternoon for the funeral of broadcasting icon Bob Cole.

Cole, 90, died last week in St. John's surrounded by his family.

"Everything he did, he did for us.  We knew that, and we felt that," daughter Megan Cole told attendees of St. Thomas Anglican Church in downtown St. John's — Cole's family church, where he sang as a choirboy about 80 years earlier.

"It has been a true privilege to share our amazing dad with this province he loved so much. With the country and with the world of hockey. We are heartbroken, and our days without our dad will not be the same."

Cole was known as the soundtrack to some of hockey's greatest moments over his 50-year career. His voice often followed the Hockey Night in Canada theme — which was played by the CLB Armory band following the funeral

He worked 34 of those years with broadcaster Ron MacLean, who was asked to deliver the eulogy.

"Bob's a dear, dear friend who mentored me and was up to lots of mischief with me.… We all know that his voice is legendary and we can hear that, but I'll always recall the gleam in his eye," MacLean said Friday, adding he spoke to Cole four days before his death.

"Like the saying goes, the meaning of life is that it ends. The meaning of love is that it doesn't."

Former Newfoundland and Labrador premier Danny Williams said Cole represented the province with pride and grace.

"Bob gave us a special, international reputation. I mean he was highly respected, his voice is iconic," he said. "He's our hometown boy, and we took great pride every time he called a game."

Cole lived in St. John's throughout his career, and would travel weekly to wherever he was required before returning to Newfoundland.

Cole's son, Robbie, told those in the church that the family lit up whenever he returned, which always came with Sunday dinner.

"We would say, 'Dad, tell us a story.' And it was then that he had his most captive audience," Cole said.

Cole also represented the province in other ways, skipping Newfoundland and Labrador at two Brier curling championships. As a rower, he competed at the Royal St. John's Regatta.