Paul Cole: community volunteer, musician, teacher and historian 'made a huge contribution' to Whitehead
Whitehead Community Association founding committee member Paul Cole has been remembered for his “huge contribution” to the east Antrim seaside town and beyond.
A teacher, musician, local historian, tour guide and community volunteer, Paul was a force for good in the lives of so many people, and which was reflected in the numerous tributes paid following his death on January 13 after a short illness.
Whitehead Community Association (WCA) said it "was with great sadness” they learnt of Paul’s passing, adding: “He was a founding Committee member for Whitehead Community Association, a volunteer giving his time to enhance the life of this town.
“Many will tell you different tales of his community work, from painting the railings on the seafront to singing protest songs to defend our coastline. He campaigned for causes as varied as testicular cancer awareness to sending medical equipment to Rwanda.
“As a tour guide he made visitors fall as much in love with Whitehead as he was himself. For many years he was a stage actor with Whitelight Theatre Company, and for many children has was Santa Claus, with a real beard.
“Year-upon-year Paul was quizmaster in the 41-year-old Mollie Coppock Quiz, always a great highlight of the WCA Summer Festival. In 2025 Paul made a huge contribution to our poetry event.
Sorely Missed
“With Shindig we loved hearing his voice raised in song, which called to us loud and strong to care about Whitehead’s past and cherish our town’s future.” Extending condolences to the Cole family, the statement added: “Paul, you will be sorely missed.”
Meanwhile, the Marine Bar in Whitehead organised an open mic memorial in Paul’s honour on Saturday (January 17) to “celebrate the life of our dear friend”.
A former teacher at Monkstown Community School, Paul’s love of learning and enthusiasm for sharing knowledge stood him in good stead in his role with 2 Royal Avenue, Belfast City Council’s cultural civic centre.
Colleagues at the centre said Paul was “someone whose presence made an impact: a gentle one, an unassuming one, but powerful and memorable”.
They added: “A retired teacher, Paul was dedicated to lifelong learning. It wasn’t long after joining 2 Royal Avenue that he assumed the role of ‘in-house historian’, taking great pride in sharing the beauty of the building and its rich history through his own tours, open to any curious mind that wandered in.
"These tours proved so popular they became a highlight for events such as World Heritage Day and for visiting delegations from around the world. Even the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, were lucky enough to take part in one during the Jubilee celebrations.
Visitors to the centre described him as “a brilliant ambassador, beyond helpful and enthusiastic, a wonderful tour guide, generous with his time and knowledge”.
A family notice on the Funeral Times website, said Paul Cole was the beloved husband of Cathy and loving dad to Sarah, and much-loved grandad of Grace, Alexis and Catherine.
A service from the family home was held on Tuesday, January 20, at 10.30am and afterwards to Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium at 12.00pm.
The notice added: “Paul will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by the entire family circle and the wider community.”