Donald Allan Copeland

Don passed away suddenly in Northumberland Hills Hospital on July 21, 2023, having just celebrated his 64th birthday July 13th. He will be sadly missed by his mother Shirley Copeland (McKeown) his sister, Cheryl (Dennis) Webster of Prince George, BC, brothers Doug (Esther) of Lindsay ON and Glen (Margaret) of Brantford and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his dad, Ted Copeland, and his grandparents, Helen and Clarence Copeland and Helena and Lindsay McKeown of Stirling, Ontario.

Don lived with his family until he was four and a half years old, when in 1963, he went to live in a government institution for the mentally handicapped in Smiths Falls, Ontario where there were over 1200 residents. He lived for a short while in Kingston, Ontario and later was moved to another government institution in Cobourg, Ontario, in the late 1970's. Each move was bringing him closer to his family in the Stirling/ Lindsay area. This residence had a year-round pool and Don was a frequent occupant. Finally, in the mid-1990's, when the government divested themselves of all institutions for the mentally challenged, Don moved to a Christian Horizons group home, also in Cobourg.

There, he found himself part of a family again, with 5 or 6 residents and friendly, trained staff. He thrived under their care and attention and, with the help of government funding, he was able to enjoy a stable life. He loved road trips anywhere but especially if they involved water, and at least one was planned every year. As his parents aged, he was able to visit them in their home.
Don was always interested in big trucks, fire engines, race cars, etc. He was a person who loved to watch road work especially if he could sit in the cab.

The family wish to extend very special thanks to Cindy and Lorraine and all the wonderful staff at Cobourg 5. They have been Don's real family and very dedicated caregivers. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christian Horizons at: 790 Ontario Street, Cobourg, ON. K9A 3C5. There will be a small service for Christian Horizons staff on Wednesday July 26 from 12 – 2pm in the MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Centre. Don has been cremated and interment will take place at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, north of Stirling, at a later date.