John N. (Jack) Cole

1910 – 2004

Jack was born in Montreal and joined Wood Gundy and Company (now CIBC Wood Gundy) in 1928.  He dedicated his talents and energies to that company, retiring in 1975 as Vice Chairman.  He also ably advised approximately 20 other major corporations as an outside director.

While Jack had a very successful business career, he was equally devoted to the Montreal community. When his only child was diagnosed with leukemia in the 1960s, he became an ardent supporter of the Montreal Children’s Hospital and, in fact, established the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation.  He created the Penny Cole Laboratory at the Montreal Children’s Hospital which is dedicated to research in the area of pediatric oncology/hematology.  He also funded a Chair at McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine devoted to research in the area of pediatric oncology and hematology.

In 1980, he founded The Cole Foundation with the objective of supporting medical research in the area of pediatric oncology with an emphasis on leukemia and, as well, social services, cultural and recreational organizations in the area of greater Montreal.

Today, The Cole Foundation continues to support of all of these worthwhile endeavours stimulated by Jack Cole’s often spoken motto: “What is the use of living if not to make this world a better place for mankind.”