Cole Robert Anderson

Cole was born on March 13, 1997 at Duncan District Hospital in Duncan, British Columbia. His parents were Terry and Michele Anderson. Cole was raised in Campbell River, British Columbia. As a young child, Cole was optimistic in his outlook. He sought out the possibilities in a given situation and looked for ways to apply his creative energies. Cole rarely called attention to himself, but when he did speak out, his message was clearly understood by those around him.

      Early on in his life, Cole showed that he was a tolerant and flexible person, and he got along well with everyone. He had one older sister Nicola (4 years older). He was a calm and playful child who was adaptable to any situation.

      As he was growing up, Cole developed into a person who enjoyed physically doing things. Cole took part in skiing, baseball, soccer, basketball, golf, tether ball. He was a member of the Mt. Washington Ski Club, Canadian Ski Coaches Federation, Campbell River Minor Baseball Association and the British Columbia Umpire Association. In his spare time he liked Pokemon, LEGO, Digemon and Hockey Cards. Cole's memorable achievements included MWSC Most Improved FIS Skier 2014 , MWSC Most Improved K2 Skier 2013, Gold Medal 2014 Zone Finals Slalom, FIS Keurig Cup Most Improved Slalom, Gold Medal 2013 Dual Slalom Zone Finals, Bronze Medal Slalom, Silver Medal 2012 Slalom Zone Finals, Most Improved Slalom, Alpental US K2. However, to Cole, the most fun he had was simply playing, and spending time with friends.

      Those who didn’t know Cole well might not view him as being an outgoing person, those who called him their friend knew differently. Cole was shy and sensitive, a person who never forced his opinions and values on others. Close friends knew that his kindness was unmatched, and once you became a friend of Cole’s, you understood how true a friend he could be. While growing up, some of his best friends were Aidan Wallace, Alexander Desrochers, his ski race teammates and baseball teammates, and his special little ski buddy Brynn Johnson.

      Cole enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were video games and surfing the internet for You Tube ski videos. Cole was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others. He was relaxed in his approach to his leisure time because he wanted to savor the present moment.

      Cole liked sports. In high school, Cole participated in ski racing, baseball and going to the gym. Cole was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were baseball, freestyle skiing, ski racing and hockey.

      Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Cole was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life. He often undervalued his achievements and abilities and simply viewed his performance as fulfilling his responsibilities. Some of his most prestigious awards included the Ben Bellamy Most Sportsmanlike Skier Award 2013-2014.

      Because he loved the world around him, Cole enjoyed traveling and going away on vacations and ski trips. It was an opportunity for him to kick back and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included Hawaii, Austria and all his ski trips around British Columbia and Alberta.

      Cole was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Cole’s favorites was Dixie. They were best friends for 12 years. His family was rounded out by Pika, his orange Tabby.

      Cole passed away on March 21, 2015 at Blackcomb Mountain in a tragic ski accident. He is survived by parents Terry and Michele, and his sister Nicola. Services were held at the Thunderbird Hall in Campbell River, British Columbia.

      Cole was a good, kind, and practical young man who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being warm and deeply caring. He leaves behind him a treasury of friendships and wonderful memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Cole Robert Anderson.

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ANDERSON, Cole

1997 - 2015

Cole Robert Anderson, 18 years old, of Campbell River died tragically March 21, 2015 as a result of injuries sustained from a skiing accident at Whistler Blackcomb. He had been free skiing with his teammates and coach after a morning of ski race training at the Dave Murray National Training Center on Whistler Mountain.

Cole was born March 13, 1997 in Duncan BC, the son of Terry and Michele (Dickson) Anderson. He attended Timberline Secondary School and was to graduate with his class of 2015. Cole was a member of the Mt Washington Ski Club (MWSC) and an active member of the MWSC Ski Racing Team, BC Alpine, Alpine Canada. He was a registered competitor with the International Ski Federation (FIS) and represented the Mt Washington Ski Club at National and Provincial ski race competitions. Cole was an emerging leader within his ski club and had recently received the clubs most prestigious award, the Ben Bellamy Memorial Most Sportsmanlike Skier Award for his sportsmanship, leadership, and love of skiing. He had obtained his Level I Coach Certification as a member of the Canadian Ski Coach Federation and also held a Level II Baseball Umpires Association Certification. During the ski off-season Cole would play and umpire baseball as a member of the Campbell River Minor Baseball Association; as well as workout, ride bikes, skateboard, and dream of his next days on snow. Cole was a fine kind-hearted young man with a whole world of opportunity yet ahead of him. He was loved and will be greatly missed. Cole is survived by his parents Terry and Michele of Campbell River, and his Sister Nicola who is currently studying Health Information Science at the University of Victoria. He also leaves his maternal grandparents Brian and Sheila Dickson, Auntie Tracy and Uncle Rob Lamontagne, and his cousin Hailey Lamontagne all from Campbell River; his paternal grandparents Oke and Alice Anderson of Lake Cowichan as well as auntie’s and uncle’s Danny and Jocelyn Anderson of Crofton, Ron and Lora Anderson of Ladysmith, and cousins Marissa, Cody, Meagan, and Lauren.

A celebration of Cole’s life will be held on Saturday April 18, 2015 at 1PM at the Thunderbird Hall, 1420 Wewaikum Road, Campbell River. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider donating to the Mt Washington Ski Club re Cole Anderson Bursary Account Mbr #44972 Acct #100020178149 at any Coastal Community Credit Union or send a donation cheque directly to the Mt Washington Ski Club PO Box 3335 Courtenay BC V9N 5N5. Cheques should be made payable to the Mt Washington Ski Club and note Cole Anderson Bursary Fund.