Longtime harness racing industry participant David Keith 'David' Coles passed away suddenly of a heart attack on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 at the age of 68.
Born March 7, 1955, in Charlottetown, P.E.I., David moved to Halifax with his parents, Joyce and Keith Coles, and older brother, Alan in 1956. He attended LeMarchant Street School, Halifax West High School and Saint Mary’s University and several others while living in Halifax, Dartmouth, and Birch Cove over the years.
He was a lifetime avid (most would say stubborn) supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs, with only their 1967 Stanley Cup win to fuel his never-ending passion. A severe knee injury while playing minor league hockey dashed any dreams of him going on and being able to help the Leafs win another one. He had better luck with his support of the Green Bay Packers, and he and his brother Alan attended several NFL games in Miami and Boston over the years. David spent many years coaching minor-league hockey for the Halifax Hawks, helping out Andrew and Michael’s youth hockey teams. However, his main focus was Standardbred racing from his teenage years onward, having worked in the Whebby stables while going to university and then moving on to training, driving, and owning many horses.
He was president of Coles Insurance Agency in Halifax, which he founded in 1982 and sold in 2022. Upon retirement he moved to P.E.I. in 2022 and participated in buying, raising, training, and racing Standardbred horses. He established Hardcore Racing of Belfast (named after his most beloved horse) with a 14-stall barn and had good success in developing several fine horses in that brief one-and-a-half-year span.
He is survived by his wife Pui and children Andrew Coles, Michael Coles and Ellen Coles MacPhee; grandchildren, Malcolm MacPhee and Meadow Coles; parents Joyce and Keith Coles, brother Alan Coles, aunt Judy Burgoyne-Landry, nephews Alexander and Jonathan Coles, great-niece Kira Coles and cousins Ian and Kevin Dickieson, and many, many other cousins.
Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel in Charlottetown. A memorial service to celebrate the life of David will be held on Sunday, Mar. 17, 2024 at 2 p.m.at Bethany United Church, located at 2669 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax, N.S. Reception to follow, please bring your fondest memories of David to share with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to the charity of your choice or the P.E.I. Harness Racing Industry Association. Online condolences may be made at macleanfh.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of David Coles.
(Standardbred Canada)