Emmanuel Taiwo Cole passed on to glory on Wednesday the 27th of January 2021. Mr. Cole was 70 years old and is survived by his wife, children, and grandchild. We thank God for His eternal love that can never be separated from Daddy Cole and all of us.

Mr. Cole was born on the 29th of December 1950 in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria. He was the third born of Mr. Babington Oduntan Cole and Mrs. Elizabeth Yetunde Cole (nee Odebunmi-Afonka). His paternal grandparents were Papa James Azumowon Cole and Mama Christina Majolagbe Cole (nee Akinloye). His maternal grandparents were Papa Samuel Odebunmi-Afonka and Alhaja Moradeun Odebunmi-Afonka. Of note, Mr. Cole was raised by his dear grandmother, Mama Christina Majolagbe Cole and later lived with his cherished aunt, Mrs. Josephine Adeola Lawson (nee Cole).

He completed his primary school education at Anglican Bethel Primary School in Lagos state and secondary school education at Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo state. He truly valued his time in Oyo because the boys’ choir would take various trips to different cities for performances. This gave him the chance to see other parts of western Nigeria outside of Lagos state. After secondary school, he worked for two years at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Lagos. He then pursued higher education in the United States. He completed his Bachelor of Science studies in marine technology at Massachusetts Maritime University and Eastern Nazarene College and then obtained a master’s degree in sociology and education from Cambridge College. All of his higher education studies were fully sponsored by his beloved aunt and great-aunt, Mrs. Abimbola Omololu-Mulele (nee Afodu – Da Rocha) and Mrs. Folasade Thomas (nee Da Rocha). He had a life-long career as a social worker.

In 1981, he married his fiance, Mrs. Odunola Cole (nee Solanke) and together they had three children: Folasade, Toluwalope, and Abimbola. As a husband and father, Mr. Cole was a very hard worker and valued education. He often credited his wife for raising their children in America with strong Nigerian values & culture and her tireless dedication to the protection and integrity of the family. He was always very proud of his children and would fondly speak of them to everyone he knew – this was one of his greatest joys in life. Happily, blessed with three daughters, Mr. Cole later found a son in his son-in-law, Dr. Olumade Badejo. Daddy and Olumade had an admirable father-son relationship.

In addition to his immediate family, Mr. Cole cared very much for his larger family and stayed in touch throughout the years despite living in the United States. These family members include: Mr. Idowu Cole and family (younger brother), Mrs. Gladys Dada Soremekun and family (cousin), Dr. Bolaji Akerele and family (cousin), Mrs. Kemi Kotey and family (cousin), Mrs. Adebanke Balogun and family (cousin).We thank God for His grace and love over the entire family.

Mr. Cole was very well-known in the Boston-area Nigerian community. Everyone that knows him speaks of his welcoming character and warm smile. He would go out of his way to help others, especially new immigrants trying to settle in Boston. He was known to help new residents secure employment and also provide other forms of assistance in any way he could.

A true Lagosian, Mr. Cole was a socialite and enjoyed spending time with family and loved ones. He was very fond of music. In addition to gospel, he especially enjoyed juju and high life music. His favorite artists were King Sunny Ade and Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey. He owned every one of their records and could give historical context to each of the tracks. Most importantly, he loved to dance to juju music. He was a hard worker but knew how important it was to enjoy life and take time to relax.

Mr. Taiwo Cole’s grandmother, Mama Christina Majolagbe Cole, was a devout Christian and responsible for his strong Christian foundation. He was raised as a Methodist and the family church is Olowogbowo Wesley Cathedral, Chapel Street, in Lagos. He first developed his love for music as a choir boy; he truly loved Christian hymns. As a teenager, he was a member of the Rising Stars youth club in church. He also served as the secretary for his grandmother’s church society, the Women Christian Association, before leaving for the United States. Once he settled in Boston, he became one of the earliest members of the Christ Apostolic Church Mt. Zion. In later years, he was a steadfast member and elder of The Apostolic Church in Brockton, MA. There, he was a member of the Men’s Movement and a prominent member of the Church Welfare Committee. He was also very dedicated to the Children’s Department. He actively participated in church activities until the Good Lord called him home.

A Funeral Service will be celebrated at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Saturday March 27 at 10:00 AM. Family and friends invited. Visiting hours Friday from 4-7:30 PM. Burial Forest Hills Cemetery.