Derek COLE

Gillian, deepest sympathy I just heard the sad news. I have happy memories of great conversations with Derek here in Spain RIP 🙏

So very very sorry to hear the very sad news..only now. A gentleman to the core. So many happy memories of great times. Our sincere sympathy to you Gillian and all the family. RIP 🙏

Deepest sympathies to all those close to Derek. I have fond memories of his family visits to us in the Summer years ago. He was always kind and patient but with a wry sense of humour.

A wonderful teacher, rugby coach and gentleman. He and Jack Cornish were a marvellous coaching team in 1973 and it was wonderful to see him last year at the fiftieth anniversary of the Cup win. When I picture Derek I always see him with a smile on his face.
Hamba kahle Mr Cole!

Fond memories of Derek as a wonderful teacher and when we plotted the
downfall of other schools during SCT encounters!

My sincere condolences to Duncan, Sharon and Gillian on the passing of Mr Cole. I love this picture because it is exactly as I remember him from my days in High School. Smiling. A lovely man who I’m sure will be missed terribly. Thinking of you all. Xx

Sincere condolences to the Cole family at this sad time. May he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Dervla , Duncan and the Cole family on the death of Derek. May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Duncan and Sharon at this sad time. Derek was a great friend and colleague to my father and a truly patient and encouraging coach to me. A true gent.

Derek was an important part of my time in High School, there are many things I learnt, particularly on the training field.
His ability to manage all the ambition of various boys, of varying abilities, that was inspirational.
A lesson in calm efficient leadership. It was a privilege to be taught, and coached by Derek.

It is with much sadness I hear of his passing.
I wish to extend my sincere sympathy to his family.

RIP

Remembering my younger brother Derek with great fondness. I can clearly remember bringing him to junior school in Stradbally from Riverside.
Jean, his oldest sister

Remembering my uncle Derek visiting Moatfield as a young man during long summer holidays.
Gillian

Remembering visiting our great uncle Derek in his Spanish home in our gap year and the great conversations we had about history.
Charlotte and Sophie

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Killowen Farm, Rhode, Co. Offaly.
So sorry to learn of the passing of dear Derek. Thinking of you all a this sad time, especially Jillian, Sharon, Duncan, Jean, Hillary and George and all the extended families.
Love to you all.
Michael, Yvonne Cole and Family

Sincere condolences Gillian, thinking of you at this sad time. May Derek rest in peace.

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Derek. I have such fond memories of him when I was growing up. Though I was never lucky enough to be taught by him during my years in HSD, he was always very kind to me and a great friend to my Dad( Cockie Wright) and our family. I send my condolences to Gillian and all the family. I know him and Cockie are watching over us while drinking a beer and talking about the time HSD won the cup.

Sincere condolences to you Duncan and family at this sad time.
May Derek R.I.P.

Dear Gillian ,
Declan & I were very sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved
Derek .
Such a sad & terrible time for you & his family. We offer our condolences to you all .
Sincerely , Catherine .
( Blainroe & Marianella )

Sincere condolences to Gillian, Duncan and all of Derek’s family.

Duncan, so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. While I didn’t know him very well, Dervla has spoken so warmly of him over the years. Lovely to read the messages that people have left here for you all. He obviously had a hugely positive impact on those who
knew him and touched many people’s lives. I hope that it’s a comfort to you at this difficult time to know that he so was so well loved and highly regarded. May he rest in peace.

Dear Gillian
We are very sad to hear of Derek’s death. He was great company, loved rugby but was a marvellous conversationalist and could discuss a huge range of topics. He will be missed.

Deepest sympathies to you and your family Gillian, at this saddest of times

Joan Aylmer, Blainroe

Duncan and Family so sorry to hear of the passing of Derek. Fond memories of Rugby coaching and In particular a Tour to Holland and Belgium. Where we tested his patience but he remained calm as ever. RIP Derek

Sincere condolences Gillian. May he rest in peace.

Dear Gillian and all Derek's family my sincere sympathy to you all on the sad passing of Derek a lovely gentle man rest in peace Derek.

Mary Harris.

Gillian, so so sorry to hear about Derek
Thinking of you and your family at this very sad time x
Lorraine + Paul Dean

I remember with great fondness Derek’s easy going teaching style . I had him for maths for 5 out of the 6 years I was in HS .Though rugby was not my sport it was easy to catch his passion for the game . A natural encourager he was a great teacher . My sympathies to his family . David Faulkner

To all in Derek Cole's family, my sincere and heartfelt condolences. In my eight years at High School I was never in Derek's class but had the privilege of his company as coach and enjoyed some lovely conversations about the good old days last year at the reunion. A truly lovely gentleman. My sympathy to you all, Guy Burgess

Duncan and family , I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Derek a real gentleman who gave me my love of rugby which has never left me and some great memories also. I always remember your Dad's laugh / chuckle so genuine and just a man who really got his pupils. May he sleep well. May you all find comfort in the joy and happiness he brought so many.

So sorry to hear the news. He was such a lovely man I remember him well from my years at High School. Thinking of his family and of Duncan and Sharon on the loss of their Dad comhbhrón ó chroí daoibh. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam uasal. Clare

Dear Duncan,

Sincere condolences to you and may you and your family find peace during this difficult times.

Best wishes,
Kelvin

Dear Gillian, Duncan and Sharon,

Our sincere condolences to you and your families. Derek was such a wonderful colleague and friend to my Dad and will be missed greatly by all who knew him. I like to think that he’s joined Dad above to keep on eye on their grandchildren as they play on their pitch at HSD. May he rest in peace.

Annalee Fennell and family

Duncan and family.
So sad to hear this news. What a great man. He had such an impact on so many of us in The High School. I was blessed to be coached by him for a few years. Working closely with him as Captain in 87 was the highlight of my school journey. He was a huge encouragement to me personally and so many more. His interest in our sporting progression after school was lovely. Many a ‘well done’ came when we shared the pitch together with you Duncan in OWRFC too. Huge thanks Mr Cole you will be missed by so many who held you in high esteem. A chip off the old block Duncan. Sending much love and gratitude to the Cole family. We will keep you all covered in prayer at this difficult time.
Stuy & Family

Thinking of you all at this sad time. An amazing teacher who will be sadly missed by many. May he RIP

My sincere sympathy Gillian for you and your family at this difficult time.

Very sad news to hear the passing of Mr.Cole. A true gentleman and an excellent and dedicated rugby coach. Great memories and super fun times were had. Missed but not forgotten. RIP

Sincere sympathies Duncan and family on the passing of your Dad.

May he rest in peace

Dear Gillian,
My sincere sympathy for you and all your family at this difficult time.I have great memories of Derek his passion coaching rugby and as a teacher also

To Gillian , Duncan and Sharon

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Derek aka Mr Cole. He was one of life's true gents and never let any of the daily grind in school or on the pitch get in the way of a hearty laugh or a gentle sigh of exasperation as we invariably didnt execute a carefully thought out move on the training ground.

Saddened to see another one of Robins peers and friends gone to take their place and join him in the great HSD Staff room in the sky.

May he rest in eternal peace and hopefully his passing will be filled with so many happy stories from his family, former colleagues and pupils alike.

Andy

What a great influence he had on my early sporting life. Some fantastic memories. He was a wonderful coach and great teacher.

Dear Gillian,
My sincere sympathy for you and all your family at this difficult time. May Derek rest in peace.

My deepest sympathy Gillian on Derek's passing. May he Rest in Peace.

Gillian my heartfelt sympathy to you on the death of your beloved Derek. I had not the pleasure to meet him but he looks like such a lovely man and the notice conveys just how much he was dearly loved and will be hugely missed by all of you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Sincere sympathies Gillian. Rest in peace Derek a true gentleman

Dear Gillian. My deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Jane Cahier

I am writing on behalf of the school community to offer my sincere condolences following the death of Derek. I should like to extend our deepest sympathies to Gillian, Sharon, and Duncan as well as to other members of the immediate and extended family.

We recall with pride and affection the contribution Derek made to the life of the school during his long tenure as a member of staff which culminated in an appointment as Assistant Principal. His commitment to teaching Mathematics between 1963 and 2001 was matched by an active, innovative, and expert contribution to the coaching of rugby football. His contribution to completing a famous victory in the Leinster Senior Cup in 1973 remains a unique achievement in the history of the school.

The High School has reason to be thankful that Derek chose to dedicate a significant proportion of his professional life to this institution where he is fondly remembered. We remain grateful for his kind and generous example in engaging with the generations of staff, parents, and past pupils who mourn his loss to the school community.

It will undoubtedly be a very difficult and painful time for family, friends, and former colleagues both now and in the immediate future. However, you may be assured that we will continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers at The High School whilst wishing you every strength and comfort during the months and years ahead.

A true gentleman at all times. Inspired many of us over multiple years. Will be away for the funeral but send my deepest sympathies to all the family and wish you all A Long Life and wonderful memories.

David Cornick

So sorry to hear of Derek’s passing. Thoroughly enjoyed his company and his enthusiasm for all things gardening.
Sincere condolences to Gillian, Stu, Suzie and Brian and all the Cole family.
May Derek’s gentle soul rest in peace.

Our sincere condolences to Gillian, Stu, Sarah and all the Cole family on the loss of Derek, such a wonderful gentleman .
May he Rest in Peace

I only knew Derek as a teacher for the six years I was at The High School, but remember him as an excellent teacher, always willing to help after class if there was something I didn't "get" the first time. It now seems, and of course is, such a long time ago, 50 years plus! RIP Derek.