Cole's online guest book

I received an email that Cole's online guest book was going to go offline soon unless someone purchased it. I thought I'd just copy it over here for posterity's sake. It won't have the nice visual layout that the other one did, but the words are what's important. Here goes the good ol' copy and paste:


Thursday, October 04, 2007

Please submit any pictures or videos (or even audio) you might have of Cole to lauraerawson@gmail.com. If you happen to know of a favorite song, poem or quote of Cole's, I would love to have those too. We will be creating a slide show of Cole and his life to play at his memorial on October 20th. Thanks in advance!

—Laura Rawson-Persons, Gainesville, Florida Contact Me
Tuesday, October 02, 2007

I am a much better person for having known Cole. His love of life and music was contagious. He will be missed.

—Rhonda Collinson Beeby, Polk City, Florida Contact Me
Friday, September 28, 2007

Just heard that Cole passed on. I knew him as a teenager and young adult growing up in the Allentown area. My father was well aquainted with him via the Masonic Fraternity. My dad was also a past commander-in-chief and a 33rd. Colman would have known him as "Berkie" as did all his friends.

I can still vividly see a fantastic Colman smile and remember the keen wit. That was back in the early 70's I'm sure I haven't seen him since but no one could meet him and forget it.

My father left the planet 20 years ago so I'd imagine they'l be catching up on old times by this stage

Our deepest sympathy and blessings to all.

—John Berkheimer, Delray Beach, Florida Contact Me
Tuesday, September 25, 2007

—Patricia Bischpff, Wayne, Pennsylvania
Sunday, September 23, 2007

I remember the first time I met Mr. Winter was while I was working the box office for a show his daughter Annette was performing in. My job was not only to sell the tickets but to ask each patron how they heard about the show. I will never forget how he shined and how proud he was when he told me he was Annette’s father. We hugged within minutes of meeting each other. He was a very warm and charismatic man, not someone you needed to get to know over time, someone you fell in love with instantly. My thoughts are with the entire Winter family during this most difficult time.

—Kathy Falcone, Boonton, New Jersey Contact Me
Saturday, September 22, 2007

Yesterday was a very sad day for me. My best friend and fishing buddy was laid to rest. I'm not certain where I picked up the name, but I always called him "Shoosh" . . . a term of endearment for a good friend and gentleman. I am deeply sorry I was not able to attend his service at the cemetery - health problems during the past two months have stopped my travel at this time.

I have many special memories of our some fifty years of friendship. We began fishing and camping trips together in Canada on a lake in Ontario and Lac Chameneux (sp?) in Quebec; continued in New York State and Pennsylvania; finally fishing in Costa Rica. You may have heard Cole mention other friends and relatives who often fished with us - especially Leo Stein and Bill Stott.

One memory to share is from a fishing/camping trip in Quebec: it was nighttime, which meant we were already in our sleeping bags. I recall quietly saying "Listen, Cole, I believe I hear a bear outside". His response, "Lew, this place is scary enough without you bringing up stuff like that!".

Cole had a great personality. He was always upbeat, never complained about anything - rather, accepted and went on with whatever . . . even on a trip to Costa Rica when the weather was a disaster and we didn't even catch one fish!!

He was surely a highly talented musician (my wife, Carmen, will attest to this, as Cole performed with the finest university professors of music she knew) and was very proud his talents were obviously passed along to his grandchildren. He shared some of their superb performance videos with us.

Plus, he always knew and reminded me he was 'just about the besy looking guy in town'!! That was my friend, Colman. I shall miss him very much.

Sincerely, in friendship, with love to all,

—Lew Culp, Philadelphiha, Pennsylvania
Saturday, September 22, 2007

(I delivered this eulogy at my Dad's funeral. It's a little long, but worth reading, as it captures the family perspective of my father. Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts!)

My dad was the greatest teacher I ever had, but oddly enough, not in the traditional sense.

Sure, he helped me every once in a while with my homework when I was young, he taught me how to throw and catch a baseball … but not necessarily how to hit … he taught me how to shave, and how to drive … but mostly, he taught me about life … only he didn’t do it through lessons, books or even sit-down instruction … rather he taught this by simply being who he was.

What he taught me – and virtually everybody else who knew him – was that life wasn’t only worth living, that life wasn’t just about getting things done, but rather that life was about being happy, and enjoying every moment, every activity, every event - large or small - as though it was your last time.

But to Cole Winter, that love of life didn’t come through things … it came through people. I don’t think there’s a soul here that would take issue with the comment that our Dad was truly a “people-person.” And the beauty of the man was that he could find the good in not just anybody … but everybody.

Who else do you know who would feel equally comfortable speaking with the Governor of Pennsylvania as he did with the guy who laid the refrigerant pipe at the Orlando Arena. Who else do you know who would flirt with the waitress at a truck stop at lunch on his way to closing a major business deal with the president of a large construction corporation … and who else do you know who might find himself in a room full of strangers with seeming nothing in common, and then emerge, 20 minutes later, with a dozen new lifelong friends.

Cole was the ultimate pack-rat …but he didn’t collect “things” … he collected people. When we used to visit him in West Chester, PA and later down in Florida for Thanksgiving dinner, we never knew who that year’s household guests were likely to be. Was it the couple traveling the country in a mobile home? Was it that wacky society horse-lady from the rich part of town or was it the former jailbird construction worker whom he was trying to integrate back into society?

Through encounters such as these, my Dad taught me that titles didn’t matter … people mattered. He taught me that when you treat folks the way you want to be treated, good things come back to you. He taught me that you always catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar and he taught me that positive reinforcement always worked better than the negative.

But our Dad was more than just a good-time guy … with a great sense of humor … which he was. He was brilliant, able to speak intelligently on just about any topic imaginable and to anybody. He was adventurous … he loved to travel, explore and go fishing in venues ranging from the tropics to the Canadian hinterlands. And there was no more loyal friend in the world, because once you were a friend of his, you were a friend for life … he would do anything in the world for you, and yet expect nothing in return.

But most important of all, our Dad was passionate … and he was passionate about so many things. He loved his work so much that he continued in his professional career long after other of his age had retired, not just because it gave him purpose, but because he truly enjoyed it. He loved his music, whether playing in the Maitland Symphony Orchestra, sitting in with a jazz combo in a nightclub or kicking back and listening to a CD … or a performance by his grandchildren. He loved to eat … and to entertain. Nothing gave him more pleasure than taking his family out to dinner or Sunday brunch … usually at an all-you-can eat buffet or some down-and-dirty neighborhood diner. And he loved his sports. He turned my brother Lenny and me into rabid Eagles fans and then later in life decided they weren’t worth rooting for ’cause they always broke your hearts. Thanks a lot for that Dad. Now both our families are hooked and there ain’t a thing we can do about it.

But above all else was his passion for the people with whom he was truly closest.

He was forever proud of his children and his daughters-in law and he showed no favorites there either. While he always boasted of my accomplishments in the public relations world, my sister Annette’s work in medical meeting planning and community theatre, and Lenny’s work in technology and his passion for officiating hockey and playing adult baseball, he showed genuine, heartfelt interest in my wife Jody and Lenny’s wife Debbie. Their work, their roles as mothers their hobbies and pursuits were just as important to Dad as were ours. And to Annette, our Dad was a friend, a confidante, a mentor and a rock. They spoke daily about everything … and he was always there for her. To Kathy’s daughter Sarah and her husband Scott, he was much more than Kathy’s husband. He and Scott traveled, fished and boated together, and my Dad always loved it when the Cowboys lost so he could rub it in Scott’s nose. To Sarah and the rest of Kathy’s family, he was truly like a second father.

But where that passion found its truest calling was with his grandchildren – all six of them. So many times over the last 10 years our Dad – sometimes with Kathy and sometimes alone – would travel to DC just to be a fly on the wall. Nothing gave him more pleasure than to watch our families during a routine weekend. He’d come up to simply watch Maury play a baseball game or see Max in a play, or catch Ellen in a musical performance or see Samantha dive or sing. He was as proud as any grandparent could be of his grandchildren … and he loved them deeply … and that love extended to Kathy’s grandkids as well, whom he treated as his own whether it watching Samantha in a performance or Shane play basketball.

And then, there was Kathy. Without a doubt, meeting Kathy was the best thing that ever happened to our Dad. Not only did their relationship extend his life – and I truly believe that – but it also gave his a purpose that he didn’t realize he needed. Together, they shared the little things and the big things with family and friends the constant, enduring theme throughout. Never have I seen him so happy in his life than he was in his last few years … and that’s saying a lot for a person who was always happy.

So why do I say that my Dad was the best teacher I ever had?

The answer is simple. He taught by example.

He showed us that a positive outlook can take you down a path that others might not see, that a kind word can open doors that might otherwise remain shut, that a humorous anecdote – even one you’ve heard before – can uncover a treasure trove of memories and that showing somebody that you care can lighten even the darkest of moments for a person in need.

He taught all this to me … and to everybody else around him. If we’re smart, these are lessons we will keep with us for the rest of our lives …

—Steve Winter, Vienna, Virginia
Saturday, September 22, 2007

On Saturday, a wonderful man died. He was not famous or outstandingly handsome, he was not brilliant or prominent, but he was wonderful (all the same). That man is my Grandpop.

If there was one thing he could do, it was laugh. He was 77 years old and laughed like a toddler. His laugh could make you smile, could make you relax, or make you embarrassed of the little boy in a big boy’s body standing next to you, but it always made us love him even more. He was truly a man worth knowing. He’s my Grandpop.

Grandpop Cole was a big man. He lived big and he loved big. He lived every day to its full potential and like it was the best day of his life. He had this vibrancy, this radiance, that couldn’t be missed. His presence was always known, not just because of the size of his belly, but the size of his heart, a heart that was filled with love for his kids, grandkids, wife, friends and anyone who he met along his way. He’s my Grandpop.

This year will be really hard without him. I will be reaching a lot of milestones that I would have loved to have shared with him. Despite that, I know he will be watching over me at my graduation, beaming. And I know he will be smiling as I dedicate my senior recital to his loving memory. I will miss him terribly, as will all of you, but I know that as we continue, his passion for life will help all of us, and we’ll do our best to make him proud. He once told me, “Care about the things you can control, but don’t worry about the things you can’t.” Maybe this is just one of those things I can’t control. He will ALWAYS be my Grandpop.

(This eulogy was delivered at Cole's funeral)

—Samantha Winter, age 17, Vienna, Virginia
Thursday, September 20, 2007

I have so many good memories of Cole, that I find it difficult knowing where to start. I met Cole in 1986 when he hired me -a young greenhorn- to work for him as a junior estimator. He quickly took on the role of mentor and provided the sage advice I needed at a time when I was experiencing the loss of a father. He patiently guided and challenged me to do my best, encouraging me to meet my potential. He had a passion for construction, friends and music. Cole went to bat for me in what became a pivotal assignment in my career. He helped lay the foundation for success in my career, but I also remember him for all the fun times we had and the pranks we pulled on fellow workers.

Cole always enjoyed life, his friends and his work. He brought a sense of laughter and joy to our work and to our times away from work. He was the youngest guy I have ever met.

I will miss Cole, and I sorrow with you in your loss; but I will also smile with you when I remember the frequent times of laughter he incited.

May God bless you and shadow you with His comfort.

—Victor Vazquez Jr., Vista, California Contact Me
Thursday, September 20, 2007

Cole helped introduce me to the world of construction back in '95 at the start of Islands of Adventure & stayed in touch after the project ended. He was there to help answer my questions & provide advice when needed. Cole will be missed by many!
—Gail (Waltz) Anderson, Orlando, Florida Contact Me
Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Cole-You were a gatherer of friends, and a leader of men. I owe and miss you so much. I learned so much from you, and it saddens me that you went on to your final reward without having one last laugh. You taught us all that the one critical path in life is life itself. See You and miss you-

Michael

—Michael Thompson, Orlando, Florida Contact Me
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Cole you were so nice to me the time we were together when we went to eat. It was mind pleasure to know you for sure time. was looking forward to seeing you again when I came to FL. again. To his wife, family I feel so sorry for all of you. You lost a great man. Peter Cafaro father-in-law

—Frederick Velletri, Johnston, Rhode Island
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

If anyone would like to submit photos or videos (or even audio) of Cole for his memorial in October, we would love to have them! We plan on having a slide show and would like to have a final "something to remember him by" for his wife, Kathy. Please contact me by clicking the link below my name. Thanks so much!

—Laura Rawson-Persons, Gainesville, Florida Contact Me
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

We were happy to have Cole as part of our family for the last 7-8 years of his life. Because of him, my family did things we hadn't done before. At his suggestion, we took a family trip to London one year (all 10 of us!) and it is something none of us will ever forget! Cole lived his life in his 70s more than many people in their 20s do. He was full of life and always a joy to be around. I am thankful we had those years to be a part of his life and he will be missed!

—Laura Rawson-Persons, Gainesville, Florida Contact Me
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

We knew him for too short a time and enjoyed far too little of his company. Cole was a man you could be comfortable with from the minute you met him. His integrity was without question, but it was only one of his many qualities. Tanya and I send our heartfelt condolences to Kathy and the rest of Cole's family.

—Pete and Tanya Milner, West Palm Beach, Florida Contact Me
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

It is with great sadness to here of Cole's departure.....A good friend since 1986, he will always be remembered as a gentleman with integrity and honesty not commonly found in the construction industry.

My prayers and thoughts go out to his wife and family.

We will miss you Buddy.....

—Dave Bano, Geneva, Florida Contact Me
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

It was with extreme sadness that we learned of Cole's passing. He was truly a man among men and his word was as good as gold.

Darvin worked with Cole off and on over the years and had high regard for his knowledge and integrity.

Our condolences and heartfelt prayers to the family,

Darvin and Barbara Morrison

—Barbara Morrison, Lake Helen, Florida Contact Me
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Cole has left the building

Like Elvis, all anybody in our business would have to say is 'Cole' and they would know who you were talking about.

Cole was an honorable and knowledgable guy - and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him. You could count on Cole's word.

Thanks for everything, Cole!!

—Kurt Kotzin, Orlando, Florida Contact Me
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Cole was a pleasure to be around and will be missed by alll that knew him. My best to Kathy.

—Fran Bourque, Tampa, Florida Contact Me

Pictures, videos wanted

Please submit any pictures or videos (or even audio) you might have of Cole to lauraerawson@gmail.com. If you happen to know of a favorite song, poem or quote of Cole's, I would love to have those too. We will be creating a slide show of Cole and his life to play at his memorial on October 20th. Thanks in advance!

Rest in Peace, Cole.

You will be missed by everyone who knew you. We were lucky to have you as part of our family, even though that time was far too short.