Funeral service for Allan ‘Skill’ Cole to be held Saturday at National Arena
Being the son of the legendary Allan “Skill” Cole, David Cole has countless recollections of their time together. None stands out more than a culinary experience they shared many years ago.
“My fondest memory is when he took me to a spot to eat steamed fish with turn cornmeal and red peas…a recipe I’ll always remember,” David told Observer Online.
Allan Cole, arguably Jamaica’s greatest footballer, died on September 9 at age 74 at the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew. He succumbed to multiple organ failure.
Cole was also a close friend and manager of reggae legend Bob Marley.
Like Marley, who died in May 1981 at age 36, his funeral service on October 11 will be held at the National Arena in Kingston.
There will also be events celebrating his life at House of Dread in his hometown of Vineyard Town, east Kingston, on October 9 (starting at 5:00 pm).
The Twelve Tribes of Israel, of which Cole was a longstanding member, will acknowledge his legacy at its Hope Road headquarters on October 10.
Given his father’s achievements in sports and music, David anticipates a massive turnout at each event.
“It’s only fair, considering the immense contributions he gave to sports, arts, culture and life. He was a trailblazer, doing things way ahead of his time both on and off the field,” said David.
“He’s a natural mentor, nurturer, always seeking to steer individuals and entities to high standards and excellence.”
The 53 year-old David is an audio engineer who has toured with Grammy winner Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, Bob Marley’s son. The mother of the fourth of Allan Cole’s six children is singer Judy Mowatt, a member of The I Three, Marley’s harmony trio.
Born in Kingston, Allan Cole was a prodigy who played for Jamaica at age 15. An attacking midfielder/striker, he was a star for Vere Technical High School in the daCosta Cup, and for Santos and Boys’ Town in the Major League.
Skill Cole also had stints with the Atlanta Chiefs in the fledgling North American Soccer League and with Nautico in Brazil.
Musically, he was Marley’s manager, including for his last tour of the United States in 1980.
Cole is also credited as the writer of War, a song from Rastaman Vibration, the singer-songwriter’s 1976 album.
