Obituary of Richard Brooke Cole

Richard Brooke Cole, born in Oakland, CA and raised in Fremont, CA, passed away on November 18, 2017. Rick went to high school in Fremont and was on the honor roll for 4 years. He was a star athlete since his freshman year, playing football, shot put, and wrestling where he was a California State Champion Wrestler of the Year. The front of his letterman jacket and sleeves were filled with medals and honors. All the girls wanted to wear it! The jacket was quite spectacular to look at with 4 stripes. Rick was educated at West Valley College, Foothill College, and College of the Desert, where he played sports for all three schools. He was looked at by the Redskins and the Raiders. He also graduated from the Chamberlin Real Estate School. Rick loved his family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He spent years taking the family to the zoo, aquarium, and boardwalk in Santa Cruz. He attended all their sporting and ballet events. When he loved you, he loved you with great intensity. He could never say no to his family. Rick was a collector. He loved all sports, card games, and collected antiques. Since he was a broker for liquor sales, he also collected liquor memorabilia. He was a local businessman in San Jose for 50 years as a business opportunity broker at the firm of Cole & Cowan, Inc. They specialized in the sale of liquor licenses, restaurant bars, and liquor stores. He also had a passion for music, especially the old blues. He played the harmonica and piano. He also loved photography and was a master self-taught chef. With a passion for cooking, he loved to prepare meals and feeding everyone. He won the purple foot award twice from the Santa Clara Wine Society. He was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church. He was the king of corny, possessing a great wit to his personality. He was a big man in stature, and his presence was overwhelming, especially his humor. He will be terribly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Vicki Huntington Cole; children, Keri Cole Forbord, Jennifer Brooke Cole; grandchildren, Taylor Brooke Forbord, Chandler Kenneth Forbord, and Skyler Huntington Forbord; and great-grandchildren, Gia Victoria Rodarte and Madison Harlee Burger.