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BORN
1955
DIED
2017
Martin Coles Obituary
Martin Coles lost his three year battle with cancer Wednesday September 20, 2017. He passed away at his home on Mercer Island surrounded by his wife Jennifer, daughter Madeleine and sons Tristan and Kiernan.
Martin was born July 24, 1955 in Cardiff, Wales to Mary and Dennis Coles. He attended Swansea University and graduated with a BSc Hons in Biochemistry in 1977. He was recruited by Proctor and Gamble and was transferred to the U.S. in 1980 The move turned out to be a fortuitous one, for he met Jennifer Ramsey, a ballerina with the Cincinnati Ballet, whom he came to regard as the light of his life. Martin and Jennifer were married in 1987 and were blessed with four children. To this day they are held in high esteem by family and countless friends for the love they shared and successful marriage they exemplified.
Martin's career includes 35 years of serving in a variety of senior executive and board positions: President of Operations for Pepsi Cola; Executive Vice President at Nike; President and CEO of Reebok International Ltd.; and President Starbucks Coffee International. In 2011 he was appointed President and Chief Executive of HaloSource. He served on the following advisory boards: University of Washington School of Business at Bothell, University of Washington Foster School of Business and Seattle University where he was a fellow of the Albers Business School.
This past July Martin and his family traveled to Wales where he received an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater Swansea University.
Martin was preceded in death by his parents and his son Ramsey Oliver Coles. He is survived by his wife Jennifer; sons Tristan and Kiernan; daughter Madeleine; sister Nicola (Steve); nephews and niece.
A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, 3605 84th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, to please consider making a donation in Martin's name to either UW Medicine specific to bladder cancer or Providence Hospice of Seattle
https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/Tributes/team/Coles
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Martin Coles
Sponsored by The Family.
5 Entries
December 22, 2019
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Martin at Halosource.
But what I remember the most was our December end of the year sales call, always cheerful, funny and always a true gentleman.
I think of Martin often as he passed away far too young, so full of energy.
I wish his family peace during every holiday season.
J Melnicoff
Bert van Loen
October 22, 2017
My condolences to Martin's family. I had the opportunity to work with Martin many years ago at Nike, where he inspired us all in creating a completely new distribution centre in Belgium. Later we bumped into each other (literally) at Starbucks. He immediately new my first name, amazing. He was a focused business person with a great people orientation.
Erin (Haney) Reed
October 11, 2017
I'm so very sorry to learn of Martin's passing. I had the good fortune to work with him in Starbucks International and experience his compassionate leadership style. Every interaction was from the heart and rooted in caring about those around him. My condolences to the family.
Holly Gray
October 10, 2017
So sorry to hear this very sad news. I worked with Martin when he was President of Starbucks Coffee International. I have very fond memories of him - always putting people first and lighting up whenever he spoke of his family. He also left fabulous all-company voice mails with his beautiful accent that were the talk of the company! He will be missed. Thinking of all those who loved him dearly...
Ranae Guzman
October 8, 2017
I am so deeply sadden my Martin's passing. I worked with Martin at HaloSource from 2011 to 2016 and dearly loved and respected him greatly. We enjoyed numerous talks about the Seahawks as well as one of our favorite shows, SOA. I will definitely carry a lot of fun memories of Martin with me. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
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