ALLAN ALEXANDER THOMPSON COPELAND -

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ALLAN ALEXANDER THOMPSON COPELAND 1920 - 2011 In loving memory of Allan Alexander Thompson Copeland, who passed away peacefully at Deer Lodge Centre on June 30, 2011 at the age of 90 years. Allan is predeceased by his brothers Glen and Harvey; sister Marjorie; brothers-in-law Fred Ranson, Jim McLean and Elwood Treichel; sisters-in-law Jeanette and Sylvia Copeland. Allan was joined in marriage on June 13, 1953 in Winnipeg to Evelyn Florence Leverick. Allan and Evelyn made their home in Emerson until 1997 when they moved to Winnipeg. Allan leaves to mourn his wife Evelyn, of 58 years; their son Douglas, his wife Jennifer, children Russell Copeland and Julia Copeland; and their daughter Donna, her husband Mark and their children Lesley Kowalchuk and her wife Carolyn Teng, Patrick Kowalchuk and his wife Sharah, Michael Kowalchuk, and Kevin Beal and his friend Rene Ross. He will be deeply missed by his first great-grandchild Aidan William Kowalchuk Teng. Allan was born October 30, 1920 at home on Aux Marias just west of Emerson, Manitoba to Alexander and Lorraine (Fraser) Copeland. He was the oldest of their eight children followed by Glen, Doreen, Marjorie, Dale, Wayne, Harvey and Yvonne. Allan attended the one room Dufferin School on the Marias, leaving at the age of 11, to help his father on the family farm. Allan lived a prairie childhood with his siblings and extended families - learning about the trials of farm work and the responsibilities of family life. He often shared stories of driving teams of horses, firing steam engines, plowing matches, and later maintaining farm machinery. These early experiences on a prairie farm established his life passion for nature, his strong commitment to his family and an aptitude for repairing all things mechanical. Allan served in the Royal Canadian Air Force overseas with the 407 Squadron as an aero engine mechanic for four and a half years. Upon returning to Canada, Allan joined the Canadian Immigration in 1948 where he served the public until retiring in 1979. In total Allan dedicated over 35 years of his life to public service of his country. Allan was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion and the B.P.O. Elks of Manitoba for over 50 years. Allan enjoyed story-telling and visiting, walking through the Red River bush near the original family homestead at Fort Dufferin, tinkering and repairing automobiles, building and sailing boats, vegetable gardening, giving advice and just snoozing outside. Allan and Evelyn loved to hook up the trailer', then drive and go camping' throughout Canada. Dad was keenly interested in world events. He was an avid reader of historical books and the daily newspaper which fueled his enthusiasm to debate politics. Often he and Evelyn would question who had the worse conditions during the Great Depression! Grandpa loved to spend time with his grandchildren teaching them various skills and explaining the way of the world to them. A celebration of Allan's life will be held on Friday, July 8 at 1:00 p.m. at the Deer Lodge Centre chapel, 2109 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Family and friends are invited to share stories of their memories of Allan. Reverend Patricia Ferris will officiate. Following a small reception, Allan will be interned at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd., Winnipeg, Manitoba. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone on T6 floor at Deer Lodge Centre for their kindness and exceptional, compassionate care of their husband, dad and grandpa. If anyone wishes to honour Allan's memory through a donation, please contribute to the Salvation Army. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca Glen Lawn Funeral Home 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2011