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Terry Kopan

January 20, 2019

Terry Kopan

Terry passed away January 20, 2019 in Holmberg Home, Abbotsford BC after a long courageous battle with cancer. Terry was born June 21, 1961 in Yorkton Saskatchewan, he was 57 years old. Terry is survived by his loving wife Kathi (Austman) of Abbotsford, BC and two children, Matthew (Sharon) Kopan of Surrey and Sarah Kopan of Abbotsford, one grand-daughter Victoria, his mother Olga Kopan of Yorkton, Aunt Vicki (Jack) White of Edmonton,  two brothers Karl (Laurie) Kopan of Athabasca Alta, Jason Kopan of Yorkton, a sister Grace (Vern) of Yorkton, brother in laws, Leonard (Heather) Austman of Coquitlam, Karl (Mary) Austman of Regina, Lauren (Chanen) Austman of Saskatoon, sister in laws Bonnie (Robert) Austman of Rocanville, Lorrielynn (Mike) Oleynik of Regina, Rhonda (Boyd) Bailey of Rocanville, Shauna (Troy) Jewhurst of Yorkton, Nikki Austman of Calgary and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Ed, his in-laws, Wilf and Mary, his brother Brad and beloved daughter Laura Katherine.

Terry was employed as a full-time fire fighter with the City of Yorkton until he joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Force in 1981. He was the Officer in Charge, “E” Division Crime Prevention & Program Support Services. He was commissioned within the RCMP to the rank of Inspector in November 2003, and he served as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Commissioner Pacific Region and Commanding Officer “E” Division until 2007 prior to his last post. Terry also served as an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

During his 36 years of RCMP service Terry served part-time with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Reserves, Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC). He was instrumental in influencing national policy changes between the RCMP and the CAF, which resulted in RCMP members being permitted to serve concurrently as CAF Reserve Officers in the CIC Branch. He has held a variety of positions with increasing responsibility leading up to promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and an appointment as Commanding Officer for Vernon Army Cadet Summer Training Centre. He subsequently served as the CIC Regional Branch Advisor (Pacific), then as a subject matter expert in the program design and delivery for the CIC Senior Officers' Training Course and the Leadership and Command Program. As the CIC National Branch Advisor from 2013 to 2016, he led a council providing advice to National Defense Headquarters regarding the 7500 CIC Officers across Canada.

Terry was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #280 Chilliwack. He loved to travel, ride his motorcycle, study history and spend time with friends and family.

Terry has been awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration with one clasp, the RCMP Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with silver clasp, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2007 the Governor General invested him as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces and, in 2009, as an Officer of the Order of Military Merit.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Abbotsford Hospice Society – Holmberg Home in Memory of Terry Kopan. https://www.abbotsfordhospice.org

A funeral service will be at Abbotsford Pentecostal Church, 3145 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford BC at 2pm Friday, Feb 1, 2019. Internment will be in Regina RCMP Cemetery Tuesday Feb 5, 2019 at 11:30 AM.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.

 

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Messages of Condolence

The Canadian Military Engineers extend to you and your family our deepest sympathies in your time of sorrow. Brigadier-General Steve M. Irwin, CD (Retired) Colonel Commandant of the Canadian Military Engineers https://cmea-agmc.ca/cme-family-last-post ~ Canadian Military Engineers Association

So sad to hear of Terry's passing. He lived an absolutely incredible life that touched so many people. He left us too soon but he made the world a better place while he was with us. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way..." Rest In Peace. ~ James Bemister

I had the pleasure to have Terry train me to be an Aide de Camp for the Lieutenant Governor. He was a very kind man and a very proud RCMP Officer. Terry has fought a courageous battle. He will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss. Paulette ~ Paulette Freill

So very sorry to hear of Terry's passing. Terry was a loyal and dedicated police officer with whom I had the pleasure to work with for several years. Our deepest condolences to his entire family. Terry will be missed. ~ Clifford & Veronica MacDonald

A great neighbour, who passed too soon! Our profound condolences to Kathie; Mathew; Sarah & Victoria ~ Barb & Ted Hopkins

Condolences to Kathi and family on Terry’s passing. He accomplished more than most of us can ever dream of, and served our country whole-heartedly. Proud to have known him from high school; class of 1979 Yorkton Regional High School. May he watch over his loved ones from the other realm. Kathleen ~ Kathleen Christopherson

Deepest sympathies to Kathi and family. Served with Terry in Fort St. John in the mid 80's. He was dedicated to family and country. Will be sadly missed. ~ Stephen Wile

I was honored to know Terry for 20 years and work closely with him for six. I cannot think of a finer person and military member. A calm, intelligent, ethical man who loved family above all else and displayed exceptional dedication to the RCMP and the Canadian Forces. I know that he had a positive, life-long impact on the lives of very many people. I will never forget him. My sincere condolences to Kathi, Mathew and Sara.... ~ Barry Saladana

Earl and I are saddened by the loss of Terry. Your pain has ended and now you can rest in peace. You will be missed by everyone that knew you. Our heartfelt sympathies are with your family. ~ Helen & Earl Lockhart

Kathi I was saddened to read about Terry’s passing and your loss. Please know that I send my sincere sympathy and am keeping you and your family in my prayers. Sending thoughts of peace and well-being. ~ Lisa Del bove orlandi

I am so sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. I was proud to follow in his footsteps at Crime Prevention Services and later work at PRTC together. We shared some robust discussions together more than a few times. I am very sorry for your loss. Barb Vincent ~ Barb Vincent

I was a troop mate of Terry's (Troop 22). Good man, so sorry to hear off his Passing. He was a true trooper. Deepest sympathies to your family. ~ Rod Rogowski

In my 8 years working with Terry through the RCMP we became good friends. Terry taught me many things and was always supportive and open. We shared many laughs. His deep love for family and passion for the RCMP's health came up in every conversation. He was and is a good soul and I will miss him. ~ Norm Smookler

My sincere condolences to Terry's family. I met Terry back in 1988 as an cadet on an exchange to England. At that time, what struck me about Terry was how he empowered people to be the best person they could be. Life circumstances made that we reconnected 10 years later, this time as CIC officers working with a cadet corps in Vancouver. Over the 5 next years, I continued to be inspired by his sense of duty and his willingness to develop youth. When I was asked at a leadership workshop if I had a mentor, I responded no...but I said that if I could have one...it would be Terry Kopan! ~ Guy Chartier

To Kathi, Terry's immediate family and all those who have lost their friend or colleague in Terry; my sincere condolences. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Insp. KOPAN, but after reading his obituary, I felt it important to send these few words. Thank you for sharing such a great man with us. We thank you for his service to Canada. ~ Warrant Officer Jim McNaught (Military Police)

Kathi .....when I read the paper yesterday my heart sank for you. Marg and I pass along our deepest condolences to you and the 'kids'. The meritorious obituary is so praiseworthy. Terry was a 'Super Trooper'. ~ Brian and Marg Frankish

Dear Kathi - Charlie and I are so very sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. He fought a very courageous battle, as did you, right alongside of him. How wonderful that he was able to welcome his new baby granddaughter in December. May you be comforted by all the precious memories that you shared together as a family. Laura and Charlie ~ Bailey Laura

I am so sorry to hear of Terry's passing. My sincere condolences to your family and friends. I had the absolute pleasure of working with Terry when he was at the Surrey detachment and was in charge of the RCMP Youth Academy and I was a Career Facilitator in the Surrey School district. Terry's vision and standards that he set for youth that were participating, as well as the RCMP members, made this partnership initiative one that was an exemplar for academies that followed. Terry and I spent many evenings and Saturdays interviewing youth who were wanting to participate in the Academy. He took the time to provide honest feedback to youth that helped them grow as young people. I had the opportunity to collaborate, learn and share with Terry for a number of years. He was a man with a strong moral code, great integrity and character. I was honoured to know and work alongside him. He will be missed but there is no doubt he has had a far reaching positive impact on a multitude of people. ~ Morgan Kyle

I am so sorry to learn of Terry's passing. We always enjoyed visits with Terry whenever he was in Yorkton - sharing memories when he worked for Don at Yorkton Cycle. What a great guy! My sincere sympathy to all the family. Lorraine Harris & Family Yorkton, SK. ~ L. Harris

Terry was a wonderful friend, a dedicated officer and a great Canadian. I'm saddened by his passing and I know that he will be missed. To Kathi, I'm sorry for your loss; you have my sincere condolences. Mike Clarabut - RCMP Retired ~ Mike Clarabut - RCMP Retired

Saddened to hear of Terry's passing. I had the honour of working with Terry through the years in both the RCMP and as part of the Cadet Cadre. He will be remembered as a man who dedicated his life to doing all he could in the areas of crime prevention and ensuring victims of crime were not overlooked. His dedication to the youth of Canada will ensure his memory lives on through all those he inspired to aim high and not settle for simply being avaerage. ~ Gordon Black (RCMP Retired)

Kathi. Very sorry to hear of Terry's passing. I worked with Terry from 2000-2005 at Surrey and E Div HQ. He was a fine man who wanted to do his best helping others in the community he served and also commited a great deal of time and effort in supporting the summer cadet program in Veron which he had a great passion for. He will be sadly missed by all of those who knew him. Kind regards and condolences to you and your family. Reg. ~ Reg Reeves

Kathi and family - It was very sad to hear of Terry’s passing. As you know he was a troopmate and also a great friend. My first posting was Yorkton and he was the first person to take me there and show of his home town. We also have fond memories of attending your wedding in Yorkton. As Terry’s career took him to BC and mine was all in Sask we did not work together but did stay in touch. He was a very proud member of the RCMP and also the Reserves. His boots were polished like no other. I wish all of you the best as life moves on. He will be missed but never forgotten. I will make sure I visit his grave in the near future. Best regards ~ Mark Johnson - S/S/M RCMP (retired)