Norman Cole was born Saturday, December 5th, 1925, to the late Aaron and Rosie Cole of Selma, Alabama. He was third oldest of 5 children (Nathan, Aaron Jr.,Norman, Winona and Lilian). Great grandpa Aaron moved Norman and his siblings to Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of twelve, where he resided until entering the army at the age of 19. Papa, as we affectionately called him, served in the Army from 1944 to 1946, where he met the woman that would change his life forever.

 

On March 17th, 1948, Papa married the love of his life, Eva Morton in a quaintceremony in Baltimore, MD. They went on to have three children, Norman Jr., Yvonne, and Doreen. On Sept. 15th, 1963, Norman and Eva left their Baltimore home and made their way to New York with Norman Jr., Yvonne, and little Doreen in tow. They called New York their home for over 50 years. Norman was employed at Antler Motors for twenty-five years, as an electrical engineer where he retired in 1999.

 

Papa loved God and his fellow man. He was not only our papa, but he was also everyone’s papa. He was the Papa of 221st street, where any given evening you would catch him on the front porch in conversation with one of the neighbors or repainting the steps (battleship grey) or redoing the backyard for all the summer BBQs.

 

Papa was a jack of all trades. From creating custom living room couch covers and curtains every holiday season to his love of baking, which stemmed from his father. Our papa could pull his sewing machine out on his bed and go to work while having an apple jelly cake in the oven and bread pudding in prep mode and we cannot forget his sweet potato pie for Thanksgiving… These are the things we will always remember about our Papa.

 

On June 7th, we lost our beloved Nijaa, who always called Papa George and we believe that on June 22nd, Nijaa came to take her George home to join her, his beloved wife Eva, Mama Rosie, sister Winona and a host of family and friends that have gone on before him.

 

Papa leaves to remember him: His three children, Norman Jr., Yvonne, Doreen. Niece, Lia; Grandchildren: Latisa (Katherine), Jason, Eva (Kareem), Monique (Willie), William Jr., Octevia (Walter) Michelle, Lorraine (Brian), Keisha, Frances, Jonathan Sr. (Michelle); Great-Grandchildren: Javon, Jamal, Ava, Christyna, Jocelyn, Christopher Jr., Taylor, Orenzo, Matthew, Willie III, Ray, Naomi, Sarah, Little Eva, Kareem Jr., Brooklyn, Brian Jr., Addyson Naomi, Frankie, Xavier, Xander, Gabriel, Jonathan Jr., Arianna, Angela, Brandon, Jaden, Savannah Grace, Soleil, Dylan and the anticipated birth of his 29th great grandchild; His great, great-grandchildren: Zoey, Nasiash, Aden, Caden, Hunter Norman, affectionately named after his papa, and little Ruby Jade and a host of family members too many to name.

 

We will miss you Papa.

Submitted Lovingly, Our Family