Edward Thomas Cole

Edward Thomas Cole passed away at the age of 90 on March 22, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Regina; his children, Lisa (Bill) and Cathy; his grandchildren, Dustin, Alexander (Emma), Brianna, Abigail, Brooke, Jacob, and Ethan; his great-grandchildren, Hannah, Cayon and Morigan; his sister, Ilene, as well as his sister-in-law Sue, her husband Denny, and many nieces and nephews. Throughout his life, he was known by many names—ET, Tom, Ed, Dad—but the one that meant the most to him was Pappy. In his final days, he often said that all he wanted was to be the best man he could be. His family would tell you that he was not just the best man, but also the best father, grandfather, and great-grandfather we could have asked for. A hard worker through and through, he dedicated himself to every job he took on, from his time in the Marine Corps to his years at Braun Engineering, to the daily chores he insisted on doing himself. He had his own way of doing things and no one could tell him otherwise. He kept everyone in line, and he did it with love. For his grandchildren, his home with Jean—his dear wife of 67 years—was a place of warmth, safety, and laughter. It was always a safe landing spot, after school or practice, and well into their adulthood. They reflect fondly on spotting his beloved Lincoln in the after school pick up line, teachers telling them their limo had arrived, and knowing that they were going to Dani and Pappy’s for the evening. Without fail, he’d greet you with a big, cheesin’ smile and a warm “Hey Bud!”, (or “Hey Tutts!”, or “Hey kid!”), followed by a vice grip of a bear hug that made you feel like he’d never let you go or let you down. No matter how cold the Michigan weather, the happiness in his face could melt any chill or turn even the worst day into a better one. Beyond his strong will, he had a deeply silly side. Pappy never saw a comically small hat he wasn’t willing to put on his head, or a mood that couldn’t be lightened with an inappropriate joke. He loved to make his family laugh, but he made himself laugh even harder, frequently cracking up at his own jokes before anyone else understood them. If he couldn’t get you with a joke, he’d get you with a loud toot - emphasis on LOUD, he was never shy. He had an immeasurable love for sports, and his loyalty never faltered. He was a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, had a special place in his heart for all Detroit sports teams, especially the Lions, and Saturdays in the fall were dedicated to Wolverine football. You could count on hearing a sneaker squeaking on the court or a whistle blowing on the field whenever you were at his house. For over 20 years, he made it a priority to attend as many of his grandchildren’s games and tournaments as he possibly could, never missing a chance to cheer them on from the sidelines. That’s exactly the kind of man he was—he always showed up for you. He watched you walk up the street to make sure you got home safely, and if you forgot to let him know, he’d call immediately to check in. His famous words were 'be careful' and 'stay out of trouble.' He made sure everyone around him was taken care of. And if you were dating one of his granddaughters, you weren’t just another boyfriend—you had a responsibility. He made sure to remind you, ‘Take care of my Tutts.’" When he wasn’t watching sports, cleaning the house (again), taking care of the lawn (again), or attending a game, you could certainly find him chowing down on a sweet treat (his favorite an apple fritter, which he had every day), or taking a nap. Pap never met a stranger—just a friend he hadn’t talked to yet. He had a gift for conversation, striking up chats with anyone, anywhere, whether it was in a grocery store, at a grandchild’s game, or around the neighborhood. He was instantly and effortlessly charming. If you knew him, you loved him. It’s hard to describe a man like him, the best of the best, just as he hoped. He was a man of many names, who told the best stories, gave the best hugs and was incredibly loved. His legacy lives on in the family who will forever cherish the memories that he gave them. He will be deeply, deeply missed. There will be a visitation on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 31551 Ford Road, Garden City, Michigan, 2:00 - 8:00 pm, with a rosary at 7:00 pm. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Garden City at 10:00 am, with in-service at 9:30 am. Following the funeral service, Edward will be entombed at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton, Michigan. Please share a memory of Edward by signing his guest book.