Brendan James Cole, most recently of Kamloops, British Columbia, passed away in the early morning of March 19, 2026, after a lengthy illness, two weeks short of his 87th birthday.
Born in April 1939, Brendan was the son of the late Thomas and Rena (Northrup) Cole. He is survived by wife, Phyllis, daughters Phyllis Banister (Sp. Ken, sons Stephen (Maria), Michael (Amanda) and Daniel (Leah)), Christina Kerr (ch. Val Sherley (Steven) and David Kerr (Karin)), and Lorne (sp Val Cole, ch. Santana Beaudry, Nalanie, Levi and Devlen (Victoria)). He was known affectionately as “Grumpy” among his grandchildren and the 10 great grandchildren of whom he frequently bragged (Isaiah, Angela, Colin, Austin, Rose, Lucas, Maddie, Ben, Samantha and Violet). He is also survived by baby brother Gary Cole of Gagetown and Ottawa and the large Cole clan rooted in New Brunswick.
Brendan’s adventures began at an early age when he made his way from his birth place in St.John, NB to Toronto before he hit his teens. He landed in Montreal, PQ, eventually, where he enlisted in the Soldier Apprenticeship program in Montreal, graduating in 1957. While there, he met the love of his life, Phyllis Kavanagh, with whom he had an impressive 68 years of marriage.
Brendan lived a large life that included an illustrious military career. He began as an ordnance specialist which took him across Canada, from New Brunswick to British Columbia, and to several overseas locations as part of the United Nations peacekeeping personnel. He was in Egypt and Gaza in the early 1960’s. He was sent to the Montreal area to assist in the domestic theatre during the final days of the FLQ crisis. Brendan shipped to Cyprus during the Turkish-Greek Cypriot skirmishes, went to Norway for the UN exercises and was called in as a consultant for the Gulf War. He spent 3+ years in Lahr, Germany in the mid to late 1970s.
Known for his integrity and diligence, he was one of the very rare soldiers who was able to work his way through the ranks to Captain. He was also rumoured to be the worst driver ever to run a military motor pool.
Brendan retired from the military in 1980 and moved to Calgary, where he worked in the materials and supply department in the oil and gas industry, then moved to a similar position in hospital administration. By 1989, he was ready to retire.
He and Phyllis settled in Anglemont, BC, purchasing a house on the 8th green of the golf course that offered a world class lake view of the Shuswap. They spent their winters in the warm climes of Clearwater, Florida, and from there, began their world-wide travels, becoming itinerant ocean and river cruisers. Although his sense of direction was severely limited and he was well known for his delicate tummy, they circumvented the globe and managed to visit every continent at least once. Their last cruise in 2024 took them around the continent of South America and to Antarctica to finish the set.
Through the years, Brendan spent his leisure time volunteering as a Scout leader and Big Brother. He enjoyed playing broomball in the days when the game was played on outdoor rinks, and softball with no glove. He was a founding member and actor with the North Shuswap Players, and volunteered for the local blues fest. He also fostered a series of Oliver Shaughnessy III’s (Ollie), as he named all his dogs over the years.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and support staff at the Royal Inland Hospital and Ponderosa Lodge in Kamloops for their dedication and exceptional care.
There will be no visitation or funeral. A private family celebration of life will be planned for a future date.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
