Leslie Norman Abayomi Cole, Sr., 73, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving wife and family on September 15, 2017. He was born in Monrovia, Liberia and resided in Vauxhall, NJ for 39 years and recently in Boynton Beach, FL.
Leslie was a faithful servant of the Lord and active parishioner of The United Methodist Church in Union, NJ. He earned a B.S. Degree in Political Science at Bloomfield College and a MA, in Criminal Justice from John Jay College (CUNY). He was the owner/principal consultant of the security consulting firm, Leslie Cole Associates, Inc., established in 1983. Leslie was a renowned, distinguished and well-respected member within his residential, professional and church communities. He was once the President of the Union Township Board of Education, held numerous township committee positions, and was also the catalyst for the formation of the Union Soccer League.
Leslie was predeceased by both parents, notably his father Rev. Charles Abayomi Cole, his sister Cecilia Wallace and brother Victor Cole. He is survived by his loving wife Sheila Cole (nee Rose); daughter Oniki Hardtman (nee Cole), son-in-law Jamel; son Les Cole, Jr., daughter-in-law Evelyn (nee Baker), two “superhero” grandsons Cameron Abayomi Cole and Christian Evan Charles Cole; siblings Robert Cole, Victoria Dempster, Juliana Cole, Ursula Cole, Christina Johnson, Claire Bennett, Patricia Adadevoh, Joan Cooper; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
Leslie’s homegoing celebration will commence at 9:30am on Sat, September 30th at Prospect Presbyterian Church, 646 Prospect St., Maplewood, NJ 07040. His farewell viewing service will be held at The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, 2122 Millburn Ave, Maplewood, NJ on Fri, September 29th from 6:00–9:00pm. Please visit www.jacobhollefuneralhome.com for more details.
Neighbor, you will surely be missed. Mrs. Cole, Nicki, Abayomi, may comfort find you in this sorrowful time, Love The Glenn Family