August 23, 1926 - May 29, 2020
Theodore, Ted (Teddy to family) was born Sudbury Ontario the oldest of six children to Theodore H.E. Copps and Adeline Copps (Olivier) on August 23rd, 1926. Growing up in various Northern Ontario towns he helped with the care of his siblings until he completed high school. At 17, he left to join the army with his high school chums and was the only one to pass the medicals. Being too young to go overseas he was promoted to Corporal and was based in Chilliwack BC to help train new recruits in the art of blowing up bridges, making tank traps and installing Bailey Bridges. At war's end young Ted attended the University of Manitoba. During that time, he met a young nursing student, Irene Gomeri. Ted moved to Churchill MB to work with his father, prospecting for gold in the southern arctic. Irene followed him to Churchill where they were married with Ted taking a position in construction and later with the Department of Defense to support his four boys. Moving to Dartmouth NS, Ted worked at the Naval Research Establishment and went to the Rensselaer Polytech Institute near Albany, NY to obtain a certificate in electron microscopy. Following his return to the family in Nova Scotia, he conducted studies with the first electron microscope on the east coast on the Canadian Navy's successful hydro-foil prototype (HMCS Bras d'Or). A fifth son was added in Nova Scotia. With a growing family, Ted's career continued with a 2 year stop in Quebec City then on to Pinawa MB to work as a Research Technologist for Atomic Energy Canada Limited. Retiring at 55, Ted and Irene moved to Vancouver Island where they created a second "Buchart like" garden home and property. With his renowned green thumb, and the often willing labor of his sons and their families, he and Irene cleared the land, built a house and created large vegetable and flower gardens. Many varieties of fruit tree were planted - all were tended lovingly and remain productive.
As a Dad, Ted was challenged with helping our working Registered Nurse, Mom raise five boys. These were difficult times financially but he frequently took his "crew" fishing and hunting to supplement the larder. Later, he arranged excursions for the crew that took us deep in the wilds of Nova Scotia, northern Ontario and far northern Manitoba including extended trips to the eskers of past glaciers and to lakes and rivers few have seen. As children, in addition to fishing and hunting, Dad and Mom kept us active with family camping trips throughout Nova Scotia, a trip to Expo '67 in Montreal and through the Boy Scouts - with Dad working as a dedicated and respected scout leader - later regional scouter. As the regional scout leader, he helped plan and lead the first Nova Scotia Boy Scout Jamboree. Dad was also an active member of many community organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, and the Canadian Legion. In our youth there were many trips to the beaches, canteens, ice cream stores, apple orchards and fairs. The needs of five boys for housing, clothes, school and especially food may have taxed our parents but he and our mother were a great team and never let us down. Our father left us with many special memories and was an example of what makes a good husband and Dad. Condolences may be offered online at www.sandsduncan.ca.