EATONVILLE, Fla. – Edward “Eddie”Cole – the former mayor of Eatonville – has died, according to a post from the town’s Facebook page.
Officials said that Cole, 67, died on Saturday.
Cole is being honored by Eatonville for a legacy defined by service, compassion and a commitment to progress.
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Officials described Cole as “a servant leader whose heart beat for the people of Eatonville,” in the social media post.
Eatonville leaders said Cole’s impact will “forever be etched in the heart of Eatonville,” noting that his leadership shaped the lives of residents past, present and future.
Cole was also a Rollins College women’s basketball assistant coach and was known for quiet acts of kindness. Just last Friday, he asked every player on the team to sign thank-you cards.
Rollins Collins women’s basketball Coach Glenn Wilkes Jr. said that moment now means even more.
“This is kind of what led you to believe, in a lot of ways, Ed was an angel on earth,” Wilkes said.
Wilkes said that was the last time he saw the man who sat beside him on the Rollins sideline for more than 30 years.
“He said, ‘I’m gonna put some money in and I’m gonna hand them out to the homeless and wish them a Merry Christmas,’” Wilkes recalled.
Eatonville announced on social media that the former mayor died Saturday morning at the age of 67, leaving behind a lasting legacy.
Cole also served as the executive director of Every Kid Outreach, working closely with middle and high school students in Eatonville and across Orange County.
“He had some standards that they had to meet, but he brought a lot of kids along. They may not have been able to get out of their situation,” Wilkes said.
Friend Timothy Ayers said Cole’s generosity often happened quietly.
“Even beyond his public service, privately, he sponsored a number of youth organizations,” he said.
During the NBA season, Cole also served as team chaplain for the Orlando Magic for more than a decade.
The team shared video of head coach Jamahl Mosley reflecting on Cole’s impact before Saturday night’s game in Utah.
“We lost somebody very dear to the Magic family — Eddie Cole,” Mosley said. “We talked about the light that he brought every single day.”
Wilkes says Cole gave his heart and soul to everyone he met, leaving a lasting imprint on Eatonville, Rollins College, and countless lives along the way.
When asked what he would say to Cole now, Wilkes paused before answering, “I’d say that I love you. That’s what I’d say.”