KEITH COOPER

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KEITH COOPER May 22, 1931 - November 6, 2000 Born in rural Saskatchewan in 1931, Keiths view of life was shaped there, especially his growing up years in "Bean-Fate" (as he defiantly pronounced it to the disgust of Professor Leathers, at United College). Mining town life taught him to appreciate why we needed unions; life in Douglas Saskatchewan taught him Medicare was needed but hard to get; life with rowdy miners kids taught him that if you arent athletic and you wear thick glasses youd better develop a quick wit. Life in a loving family and church taught him the important things in life. He studied a bit at United College, but gave up a planned medical career when he couldnt see through a microscope. Those years included Varsity Varieties, pranks which included flying the Russian flag from Sparling Hall, intense political debates, hours at Sals, and the creation of friendships that lasted a lifetime. Taking a year off to earn some money teaching he found his lifes passion in the classroom at Grandview. The pattern began early: fight for your kids, especially the needy ones, coach teams and drive them all over the country, play piano in dance bands, rebel whenever possible, and have fun. His teaching/principal/superintendent career continued at Bienfait, Melita, Lynn Lake, Morden, Minnedosa, and Winnipeg One. Special interests in Wpg. #1 were community schools, school lunch programs, and The Child Guidance Clinic. Workplaces but not priorities changed with a move to Childrens Home of Winnipeg, where an exciting team of people helped expand services to kids and families. As usual, the needier the kids, the more he pushed the systems. He believed that you did what needed to be done, and then fought for the funding. While there he served briefly as Acting Executive Director of Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre. At the same time he became a tutor to his teenage daughters and their friends who were having trouble with math and they all would spend hours in the board room preparing for the dreaded tests or exams, or hed be on the phone explaining Shakespeare to a far away niece. His last workplace began in controversy as he followed his heart to become Chief Executive Officer of Winnipeg Child and Family Services. He knew it was controversial but decided he could do more good by participating in a trouble system than by staying out and complaining. The CFS years were challenging but good, always made more difficult by a society that wanted to pretend the problems could be solved, or that wanted costs to stay level in spite of rising needs. In all his workplaces he was devoted and loyal to his staff, challenging people to do things they thought they couldnt, quietly supporting gays and lesbians, setting new standards with his interesting dress codes, and working with anyone from anyplace who was able in any way to help his kids. He mad a few enemies and a lot of friends. Although devoted to his work few things interfered when his family called. Keith took great pride in getting to almost every event, game, or performance, and when he couldnt be there he conned his staff into going (thanks Dave for helping Gerri get her drivers license!). His immediate and extended families were first in his heart (followed closely by the Wesmen basketball teams and the SK Roughies). To the very end he was interested in the stories of his families, in politics, books, sports, and jokes, and hoped for one more summer at Clear Lake. Even when his strength failed he could still get furious in a hurry about any injustice that needed to be righted. He was predeceased by his parents Jim and Merle, sister-in-law Sheila Cooper and niece Meghan White. Keith will be deeply missed by wife Dianne; daughters, Gerri, Jill (Geoff Ripat) and Tricia, and his special "littlest girl" granddaughter Maureen; brother Howard (Saskatoon) and family; sister Merlic/Con Robinson (Swan River) and family; in-laws, mother Marian White (Melita), Beth/Bob Quesnel (Prince George) and family, Wayne/Faye White (Melita) and family, and Don/Louise White (Buffalo) and family, and our adopted Hank and Betty Neufeld family. Many others will miss him a lot and we hope will continue to tell the Cooper stories. Keiths Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, November 9 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Rd., Winnipeg, MB, with (The Rev.) Dr. Gordon N. Taylor officiating. Our family requests that in lieu of flowers any memorial donations be made to the two communities that supported him for many years but especially through his last years of illnesses: Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Road, Winnipeg, R3T 3L8, or the Wesmen Athletic Scholarship Program at the University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave., R3B 2E9. We are immensely grateful for the many, many acts of kindness and support over these last years. Keith was most appreciative, and we will all never forget. WOJCIKS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2000