Vernon S. Cole

Vern, May you rest in peace. I only recently learned of your passing and I am sorry you and I didn't get to share a little sweet Italian time together.
Arrive derci RIP

love you and miss you my papa

We were deeply saddened to hear of Vern's passing. He was one of the most kind and polite people we have ever met. We will never forget all his help and advice about trains over all the years we came into The Train Shop. One of his most wonderful gestures was giving our son Joe a part time job at The Train Shop while he was in high school and college. Thanks Vern and may you rest in peace. God Bless!

Bill and Rosalie Burket - San Jose

May you rest in peace Vern, you will be missed.

Vern reminded me a great deal of my late father, the highest compliment I can give anyone - the service to his country and community and sense of humor that seemed a part of those of their generation.

He founded a great store in which I spent considerable time and money! I think his son Dennis has done a great job of carrying it on in the face of great challenges like the internet and bad economy. I still visit often.

I always enjoyed Vern's presence and humor in the store. I've missed him and send my sympathies to his family. He will be missed.

Jim Bartolotta

My condolences to the entire family. Vern was a wonderful man and knowledgeable and helpful in the hobby. You will be missed.

God be with you all, and my prayers our with you. I remember Vern, he was a great guy. He was always nice to me and I had respect for him. We both loved model trains.

Mike Sunseri (owner ex-on track model train shop)

Vern was a gentle caring man. I had many conversations with him at the Train Shop in San Jose and he was truly a wonderful person. He will be missed.

Customer at his Train Shop. I never felt like it was a vendor-customer relationship with Vern, it was friend-to-friend. Vern opened access to us railroad hobbiest an awesome selection of stuff at his shop and also a venue to mingle with others who held similar interests. Always fair and direct, never a weasel. Vern provided a whole lot of people with a greater enjoyment of their hobby. Thank you Vern. I'm honored that our paths crossed. My condolences to your family.

I didn't get to meet you Mr. Cole(Papa) but feel I know you through your beautiful Grandaughters Sami and Carley. They are like my own daughters. Rest sweetly and please visit them as often as you can in their dreams they will alway wake with a smile on their face.

Davlyn Giovanetti-Quick

My dearest Papa, I don't even know where to begin teling you how I feel because there is so much to say. I can honestly and whole heartedly say that you were by far the most amzing man in my life! Your gentle and loving words will always be in my mind. I will miss you every single day for the rest of my life. The last conversation I had with you was an amazing one. You asked me if I was happy. I answered by saying yes. Seeing the huge smile on your face and telling me, "Thats all I want in life, for all of my children to be happy. I am proud of you and you should be proud of yourself too." I left that weekend with the peace of mind knowing in my heart two things. One that I must be doing something right if papa says so. And second, with that conversation being the last one with yoy and it being such a heartfelt one made me feel so loved. You loved all of us so much no matter what.
Papa, I know you are in a better place now. And I hope to be with you again one day and when that day comes I know you will be standing there with open arms awaiting and welcoming me like you always have my whole life. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH PAPA.

I didn't get to meet you Mr. Cole(Papa) but feel I know you through your beautiful Grandaughters Sami and Carley. They are like my own daughters. Rest sweetly and please visit them as often as you can in their dreams they will alway wake with a smile on their face.

I love you Fart.. More than words can even begin to describe!

Papa...
We are all trying to find how to cope with losing you.. It has been hard the past few days because our worlds so much revolved around you. You were by far the best man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and am SO proud to call you my Grandpa! You were so giving with your love, and my heart was always full around you because you always made me feel unconditionally loved. I miss hearing your voice everyday saying "Hey Pooper how you? Gosh I am so glad to see you!" No matter how horrible my day was, just being in your pressence made all grief go away! The world is a sad place without you here with us... I only wish now you rest in peace Papa, and I will be looking for you when the day comes for me to crossover. Know we will take care of grandma for you. Please visit me often in my dreams.. I love you past the clouds, and as my mama always says to you "I love you more than my dogs Papa, and that means a lot!"

You have my deepest sympathy. May good memories provide solace for your family during this challenging time; and may God provide you with the assurance that you will see your loved one again in Paradise. John 17:3

I am very honored and thankfull to have had the chance to know you Vern, Even though it has only been a short 6 years I will always and forever be greatfull for the time I did have with you. As I reflect on the times with you I am saddened because I dont want them to go away.I am positive the lord has a special place in heaven for a great loving man like you. Thank you Vern for always making me feel welcome and loved, I will forever miss you and never forget you I love you.

Papa! I am so sad you are no longer here with us. You are the most incredible man I have known my whole life. You have loved each and everyone of us no matter what. Your kind gentle words will forever be in my mind, I will continue to always think of them especially when I am having a bad day. The last conversation we had, you told me that you wanted all of your children to be happy in life and that you were proud of the young woman I have become and I left that weekend knowing in my heart that making papa proud was a great accomplishment. You will forever be missed every single day of my life! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! I hope to see you one day, and I know you will be standing with open arms like you always have. My heart is broken that you are gone but I am happy you are in a peaceful place now my dear papa. Heaven got lucky last week!

I love you Papa! I will miss you everyday of my life! I am having a really hard time with this.... You are the most incrediable person I have ever known. There will never be another person to come close to You in my heart!
Love
Jamie

Shirley, Dennis, Patty, and the entire Family - my sincerest condolences. Vern was someone I looked up to and enjoyed seeing and talking with. Absolutely a wonderful man every time I saw him. May your sorrow be soothed by your memories and the realization that he was a special man to all those who knew him.

I love you Papa! I will miss you everyday of my life! I am having a very hard time with this because I love you so much, and I am used to seeing your face everyday...... how you always told me you were happy to see me even if I seen you 2 or 3 times in the same day! I hope one day i will see you again. You are the most incredible person I have ever known. There will never be another person like you!
Love
Jamie

I love you Papa! I will miss you everyday of my life! I am having a very hard time with this....
Love you
Jamie

Very simply the most decent man I've ever known. The world is diminished without you, Vern.