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The family of George Copeland uploaded a photo

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

George William Copeland, 1927-2009: Remembering Dad I’d like to start by sharing with you a short verse, entitled Wisdom. It is part of an anthology collected by General Wavell to bring comfort to his troops in North Africa during the Second World War. Wisdom? For this is Wisdom; to love, to live, To take what Fate, or the Gods may give, To ask no questions, to make no prayer, But to laugh and hold dear the memories, Accept life's ebb as you greet its flow, - To have, - to hold, - and, - in time, - let go. There is much, I think, to commend in those few lines. Today, however, we are here not to forget, but rather to remember. In my memory, George Copeland will always remain quite a guy. When I cast my mind back, I think of happy times: · tussling on the rug in the living room on Caswell Drive · weekends and summer holidays at Driftwood village on Balsam Lake in the Kawarthas · the dad and lad introductory weekend at Camp Pine Crest in Muskoka · visits to his law office on Bay Street, playing with the Dictaphone, and lunch at a corned beef place on Victoria St. that served fizzy yellow Vernors ginger ale from a large glass reservoir · playing a game after dinner on Roxborough Street to guess how much change he had in his pocket – winner took all · learning to drive on a boys trip to the Maritimes · his love of music, and initiating me to jazz with a visit to the Colonial Tavern to see the “Saints and Sinners” · spring break at Myrtle Beach, or in Florida, or skiing at Smuggler’s Notch and later Aspen with our friends the Blacks · getting me my first summer jobs at Black’s Cameras and Ontario Hydro · his visit to Ottawa immediately following Davey’s birth, and his tremendous pride at having a grandchild · and latterly, his summer visits to our place on McGregor Lake in the Gatineau, which he told me he was really looking forward to this year · and, not least, his frequent, insight-laden comments on my book over the past few years while it was taking shape For the past decade my dad battled Parkinson's. On that, a brief passage from a lovely tribute contributed by my old friend, and now Huron County Coroner Dr. Don Neal: “I know too well the awful burden of this wretched affliction and how valiant and determined one must be to meet its challenges. You must love life and be loved deeply, and supported unconditionally to endure and overcome its misery…” Dad fought the good fight, and he tried everything, including brain surgery, to mitigate the devastating effects of that terrible, wasting disease. And he comported himself through it all with surpassing equanimity and amazing grace. Over the course of that increasingly perilous passage he demonstrated exceptional courage, good humour, and optimism, hoping always that somehow, someday, things would improve. The struggle with Parkinson's revealed a steely, gritty part of the man, a determination to prevail over adversity which I came to admire and respect enormously as the years went by. He never complained, was never bitter or remorseful, and was always up for a conversation or visit. I don’t know how, or from where he found the strength to carry on, knowing that each day would not likely be quite as good as the last, and that he was accelerating down a one way street leading inexorably to wherever it is that he has gone. Yet carry on he did, undeterred. His high spirits under such duress are for me a source of enduring inspiration. Dad's relentless effort to make the very best of every opportunity was displayed perhaps most strikingly over the course of a trip to the French and Belgian battlefields of the Great War. George’s own father, Ermin, served in that epic, bloody and futile contest, and survived the first use of mustard gas at St. Julien. This project was originally planned to include all of his sons, but as is so often the case various complications intruded. When the departure date arrived on July 1st, 2007 it was his grandson Davey and I that met George on the plane for the Atlantic crossing. Together the three of us set out by van from Paris, and in a little more than a week visited all of the sites around Arras, Vimy, the Somme, Ypres, and Passchendaele. We even had time for side trips to stunningly beautiful Bruges, to Dieppe, the site of the ill-fated Canadian raid, and to Montreuil-Sur-Mer, where we spent a few glorious days roaming about that fortified medieval village. It was from Bruges and Montreuil that I have formed my most vivid recollections of the trip - Davey zooming his granddad about in his wheelchair on the cobbled lanes and ramparts of those ancient towns, much to the sheer delight of all concerned. A copy of George's account of that adventure, "A Dream Come True," can be provided by immediate family members for any of you who may have not seen it. I offer today one short excerpt, which to me speaks volumes. In reference to davey, he says: It was a wonderful bonding experience… There was also a precious new linkage and appreciation of a father, grandfather and great-grandfather, twice wounded, who, like so many of his generation, was prepared to make enormous sacrifices in the name of his country. In trying to take the measure of this man, to somehow express his essence, three thoughts come to mind: George was principled, George was resolute, and, right until the end, George never put his own needs first. Dad, yours was a full life, well-lived. Your memory, in my head and heart, is not just undiminished. It is enlarged, and looms larger by the day. You will be missed. Daryl Copeland 21 March 2009

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Ian & Maura Emerson posted a condolence

Saturday, March 21, 2009

To Daryl, Corey, Regan and the Copeland Family. We would like to express our condolences at this sad time in honour of Geoerge's Memory.He will always have a special place in your hearts. You will realize every time you hear a certain phrase or visit a familiar spot, a special memory of him will come to mind and bring a smile to your faces. Ian & Maura Emerson

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Don Neal posted a condolence

Friday, March 20, 2009

Remembrances of George Copeland During Our Teenage Years: To Daryl, Corey, and Regan, I wish to express my sadness and extend condolences on behalf of Alix, myself and the family on news of George's death, and the conclusion of his struggle with Parkinson's Disease. I know too well the awful burden of this wretched affliction and how valiant and determined one must be to meet its challenges. You must love life and be loved deeply, and supported unconditionally to endure and overcome its misery, particularly over such a long course. Please accept my commendations to Nancy and the family for supporting George through this stubborn and frustrating affliction. This is the time to affirm the truth that the worth of one's life is measured by the ways in which one's presence has positively influenced others, often in auspicious and subtle ways. It is these influences of George Copeland upon my life which I wish to acknowledge and celebrate. Few will know that George quietly, yet effectively, advocated on my behalf to secure through the Kiwanis Club of Toronto a $1500 bursary that enabled me to travel during fourth year medical school to Tanzania for a three month medical elective at the Kasulu Hospital in the Kigoma Region. This opportunity in 1979 was unforgettable and the experience remains with me as a clinical foundation in treating serious illnesses: tuberculosis, meningitis and malaria to name a few. Through the experience, I developed an early awareness of the greater medical needs beyond Canadian borders. I returned to Toronto at George's invitation to share my experiences and consider it one of the highlights of my medical school days to have addressed the Kiwanis Club meeting at the Royal York Hotel that spring. George's expression of trust, support and kindness will continue to resonate with me as I pursue medical work in the developing world. Hence, his influence endures. On a recreational note, I recall George's influence on my nascent assault on the ski slopes. The truth is that I had no way of getting to the hills on my own. Skiing wasn't a family activity for us, but it surely was for the Copelands and their friends, the Blacks. George was at his best organizing a ski run with his sons and I was the hitchhiking beneficiary of his effort. Though it is Daryl whom I thank for teaching me to ski ("POINT YOUR A7 WOODS DOWNHILL NEICHT, AND TRY TO REMAIN VERTICAL"), it was George who provided the wheels and greased the way allowing me to breathe the rarefied air of Osler Bluffs. He may have also been aware of my chronic state of impecunity, and was known to discreetly support my teenage need for food and drink during these excursions. In the course of hanging around the Copelands, I witnessed many instances of his love for the thrust and parry of debate with his intellectually "spirited" sons. He would challenge and enrage his boys with his conservative views, but unbeknownst to them, the master's skills of wit and verbal discourse were quietly being absorbed. The only blind spot I observed was his apparent (or feigned) naivety with respect to the etiology of constantly bald rear tires on the family Cutlass, despite their regular replacement. Finally, I must recall what seems to be one of George's favourite undertakings. Nothing pleased him more than assembling and escorting a throng of undernourished university students to Sunday dinner. He delighted in witnessing his sons and their friends demolish and lay asunder a Holiday Inn buffet as he chortled from the head of the table. Again, I found myself the beneficiary of his magnanimous spirit. Thank you George for all your kindness and your positive influences upon my life. I wish all of your family well during this difficult time. Donald Neal

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Keith and Mary Allen posted a condolence

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Mary and I send our condolances to you Nancy and your family from Victoria BC. George bore his years with parkinsons with dignity. As you know Nancy, George was very concerned with my own voice deterioration and was a great help to me. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, Mary and Keith.

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Linda Bradford and Paul Neville posted a condolence

Thursday, November 30, 0002

We are both so sorry to hear about George. At the same time we are relieved that, after struggling for so many years with this horrible disease, he died so peacefully. I will never forget the kindness George (and Nancy) showed me at a time many years ago when I truly needed it. But that was George - one of the sweetest human beings I have ever known. Our sincere condolences go to Nancy, Daryl, Corey, Regan, and Marjorie. We know you all will miss this wonderful man. Sent with love, (Cousin)Linda and Paul - Owen Sound.

In loving memory of

George

1927 - 2009