July 29, 1966 – March 5, 2012
John passed away peacefully at home March 5 in the company of family and friends. He is survived by his father, Dennis; brothers Paul (Andrea) and David (Rita); sister Pat (Mark); along with nephews Aidan, Alex and Alexei; nieces Elisabeth, Cate and Sophia; extended family and countless friends. He was pre-deceased by his mother in 1996.
John grew up in Williams Lake, B.C., eldest of four children of Dennis and Maureen Coppard, and joined the Canadian Forces in July 1984, at the age of 18. He attended the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, graduating in 1988 with a BA in English. He later served as a Maritime Surface Officer with the Canadian Navy aboard various ships in Canada’s Pacific Fleet, including HMCS Provider, HMCS Huron and HMCS Vancouver, before moving to the Forces’ Public Affairs branch. John loved the military for its camaraderie and adventure, but in public affairs he found his niche. He began at CFB Comox, writing news releases about search-and-rescue efforts and spending his off time skiing, sailing and kayaking. Later, he became Deputy Director of Naval Communications in Ottawa with Chief of Maritime Staff Public Affairs, and was deployed on operations in the Balkans as a public information officer with the NATO stabilization force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In 2006, John was posted as a strategic communications advisor to the government of Afghanistan in Kabul, as part of Canada’s Strategic Advisory Team. John immediately took to Afghanistan, the country and the people. He loved his work and life in Kabul, from advising ministers to touring the countryside and meeting new friends from all over the world. Once he’d tasted the experience, he wanted to go back. So in 2008, John, now a naval commander, retired from the Canadian Forces and accepted a civilian posting as spokesman for the senior civilian representative for NATO in Afghanistan. In the summer of 2009, however, shortly after having signed on to serve a second term in Afghanistan, he learned he was suffering from a brain tumour and was evacuated to Brussels for surgery. While he was in Brussels, his living unit back in Kabul was badly damaged in an early-morning bombing of NATO headquarters. After the surgery, John returned to Victoria to rest, recover and get treatment, but though he was often tired from chemotherapy, he continued to lead an active life. He worked on behalf of the Conservative candidate in Victoria in the federal election campaign and was active in the Catholic church, devoting his time and energy to pro-life and anti-euthanasia campaigns and serving with the Knights of Columbus, while never neglecting his single malt scotch or the comfy chairs at the Union Club.
His friends and family remember him for his ability to charm people of all walks of life, his sense of humour, intelligence, wit, kindness, positive spirit and, above all, his zest for life. Wherever the action was, he wanted to be part of it. As one of his many friends wrote, “The world is less fun with his departure from it.”
Prayers will be offered Friday, March 16, at 7:00 pm at McCall Brothers Floral Chapel at Johnson and Vancouver streets. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Andrews Cathedral on Saturday, March 17 at 2:00 pm, with a reception to follow at the Union Club. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Victoria Hospice Foundation (www.victoriahospice.org), in thanks for the wonderful care provided by the palliative team.
-
Ray Arijeet
-
Ian Rennie My condolences to the Coppard family and to all those who knew John. I knew John very well at RMC and afterwards in the Navy. He was a character and life will be a bit less interesting without his antics and presence.
-
Ray Arijeet Its now exactly a year since our heart throb friend went away leaving us only in sorrow. May we meet again in our next life if there is any. RIP
-
Maj (R) Bart van Leeuwen, Royal Netherlands Land Army This morning I was wondering how things were with John. It had been too long since we had contact. It was a shock to learn that he is no longer with us.
I served together with John during his SFOR mission back in 2002. He was the spokesperson for the HQ MND SW, and I was the Coord. It was a most memorable mission with a lot of fun and good spirit in our section consisting of Dutch, Canadian and British military and Local Civilian Employees. John had a good sense of humor and was very easy going, but was also very serious about his work and the role and power of media in a society.
On and off we kept in contact although our lives went separate ways after our mission. I knew about his illness but was not aware that the treatments in the end were unsuccessful. Unfortunately it will not happen that we will meet again in this life and talk about “the good old days”. Let us keep him alive in our memories!My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and close friends and colleagues.
Bart van Leeuwen, Major Royal Netherlands Land Army
SFOR HQ MND SW P-INFO COORD april – october 2002
-
Richard Neumann I was terribly saddened to read of John’s passing in Starshell just this passed week. It has been some fifteen years since I last saw John as he was driving through Thunder Bay, and much longer than that since we both graduated from the Royal Military College.
For me, I will remember John as the type of guy you could count on to remain loyal, be a good friend, and offer a kind word. When he spoke, he meant what he said and it was almost always kind, considerate of others, and laced with his fine sense of humour.
Like myself, John could never be confused as one of the “cool” kids, but he had that rare quality that made the “cool” kids want to be around him. When a friend passes, one eventually recalls both the good and the bad in a man. For John, I can honestly say I can’t recall a single negative thing about him.
I will miss the lost opportunity to see him again and to catch up. He has lived an exciting and purposeful life, packing more into his time with us than many do in a lifetime.
God Bless his family and friends, for if I can feel his loss over such a distance and after so long a period of time since we last hoisted a beer, then you all must be missing him terribly. I hate scotch, but in his memory I will pour myself one this evening…
Take care, Fair Winds and Following Seas, John…
Richard Neumann, CD, Lt(N) (Ret’d)
RMC Class of ’88
Thunder Bay, ON
-
heather strang Our thought s and prayers for ur family always , johns celebration of his life was so beautiful
-
Liz Stagg To Dennis, Pat, Paul and David. My condolences to you. I am so sorry to learn of Johns passing. It was wonderful to have seen him 2 years ago at Dad’s service. I will remember all the times we spent together as children when our families visited each other. RIP John.
-
Saskia Funston My thoughts are with John’s family and friends today. I had the pleasure of working with John during both of his tours in Afghanistan. His infectious enthusiasm and tremendous energy were an inspiration. Safe travels, John. I’ll raise a glass in your honor.
-
W. Gregg Turner John was always a pleasure to associate with, both for social fun times as well as for volunteer/community projects all with wonderful conversation exchanges. He added to all who knew him.
Blessings and prayers for his continued adventures and for his family.
-
Fleur Cowan My greatest condolences to the family. I was a friend from Kabul and loved John very much. He brought joy and laughter to my life, and he had such a naughty sense of humor. I remember him handsome and grinning in his dinner jacket at the ball, or sitting in the NATO SCR garden having drinks, or at the pool at the American embassy with prosecco making us fall about with laughter with his jokes. He lived lightly but touched us all deeply. My dearest John, we will miss you always.
-
Beat R. Kraettli Our deepest sympathies to John’s family. We had the privilege to meet John in Switzerland as it was John’s job to assess our communication training for PfP-Nations. During that short time, John became good friends with the entire training crew. All of us coaches enjoyed his presence. John, will keep you alive in our minds.
Beat R. Kraettli, Tobias Aebi & Team, Switzerland
-
LCdr Mark Sheppard John was an extraordinary shipmate and friend. I will miss our adventures and miss-adventures. We started out as friends over 20 years ago as junior Sub-Lieutenants and sailed across the Pacific Ocean together – our voyage was long but our life voyage and friendship was too short. We created salty dips (stories) together and delightfully embellished those same stories over the years. Literary wit and aplomb combined with passion and care was John’s naval sword. How well he wielded it over the years. I will miss John’s greetings…no one else has repeated my name three times with such a warm welcoming smile. As only a navy brother could understand, the nautical miles between John and I or the time spent in passage between meetings, never dampened our freindship. Fair winds and following seas John. To the Coppard family, your son was my friend and a true Canadian patriot; I offer my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son and brother. Ready aye ready.
-
Hilda Hopp I have vivid memories of John as a skinny seven year old at Poplar Glade Elementary in Williams Lake when I was his grade two teacher. Not only was he a bright and diligent student, but also thoughtful and mannerly with a warm personality — a joy to have in the classroom. Even now, I can still picture his smile. From all the comments above by people who knew John as an adult, it’s evident John got better with age! So sorry to hear John left this world too early.
Sincere condolences to the Coppard family.
-
Paul Coppard On behalf of the Coppard family, thank you for your kind words. Even in the last days, John’s wit was as sharp as ever, and his energy perked up whenever he was surrounded by lively conversation.
The reception will be a “light Irish Wake”, with colorful pictures of his global adventures, a traditional irish band, and an opportunity to have a laugh. We hope you can join us.
-
Richard Rowe I was most shocked to hear of the passing of John. It was great to see him not long ago after nearly twenty years. My heartfelt condolescenes go out to your family.
-
Luc Robertson To the Coppard Family,
I had the privilege to work and to be a friend of John while he was at Canadian Defence Academy in Kingston. I would like to offer you my sympathie in this moment of sadness and I know that he left his mark and touched everyone he knew in a good way.
-
Tom Manning I have had the very good fortune of serving with John on two occasions during my naval career – first at NATO headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia and again in Afghanistan. He was undoubtedly a special person. He was a very dedicate naval officer who always had time for the people around him. With his outgoing personality, friendly disposition and great sense of humour, he was a person that you were honoured to call a friend. The world is a sadder place without John. Rest in Peace John.
-
Terri-Lynn I only knew John for a few months when I was living in BC. I am now in Alberta and am very sorry that I was able to attend in the celebration of life that he so often spread to others. John you will be sorely missed. You always put smiles on peoples faces and a warm hug to those who needed it.
-
Denis Strangman I would like to offer my condolences to John’s family and friends. I met John at the EPC conference in Vancouver in March 2011 and learnt that he had a brain tumour. I later asked him if he would be prepared to write an article about his journey with a brain tumour and he wrote a very inspiring piece which linked his story to his campaigning against assisted suicide. The magazine in which it will appear will be printred in the UK in May and will be distributed to 11,000 members of the international brain tumour community in 93 countries and I am sure it will provide inspiration to many.
Denis Strangman
Australia
Chair, International Brain Tumour Alliance
http://www.theibta.org
-
Alex Schadenberg The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition will miss John. John was a caring intelligent man who brought hope to all and an example of courage in the face of adversity.
John is a hero who will be missed.
Alex Schadenberg
London Ontario
-
Wendy Dashwood Hello, I never knew John nor anyone else he knew but I was very touched after reading his obit. I wish I had known him because I think we would have been good friends. We had a lot in common; his Conservative politics, the Catholic Church, anti-abortion and enjoying a scotch!
May he rest in peace and God Bless him and his family.
-
Holly Graham John was so kind and humble in the way he spoke with others, he will live on in thought and spirit, I am so sorry for the loss of such a special person, he was always positive about life.
-
Ray Arijeet Its true as many above have written that inspite of short interactions, John inscribed remarkable impressions on many. I will again say that friends like him are seldom found and we all will badly miss him. May his soul rest in peace and if ever I have a second life, I will again like to get him as my friend. May God rest his soul in peace
-
John Hof To the Family. I had only met John on one occaision but that will forever be in my mind as it was so memorable. He was the media spokesperson at a BC Supreme Court demonstration expressing concern over the possible changes to Canada’s law on assisted suicide. He was brilliant, understanding and compassionate in expressing his fears of where this might lead his nation. We are going to miss you John. Canada has lost a true soldier. RIP Good friend.
-
Tammy Gray Even though I just met John once this past Christmas, he made a real impression on how much he loved life, people and all things dear. My sincerest condolences for your loss. RIP
-
Karen Kotanko Sparkes John truly was a friend since elementary school in Williams Lake. Looking back on those years I knew he had a special gift. Throughout the years I never saw him turn a person away from getting to know him. He would offer to help to many who never even knew him. Even though we never got to see one another later in life, technology offered a chance to drop one another a small note just to let each other know that we never forgot one another. John, you will never be forgotten. Your charm, wit and warm smile will forever be close to my heart. Rest in peace my dear friend.
-
Lesley Machan A truly special man whom I was fortunate enough to meet a couple of years ago. I could sit and listen to him talk for hours. I will particularly miss his sense of fun and rapid fire wit. My condolences to all who will miss your presence. Till we meet again John.
-
Carolyn Harries Dunan & Gordon Duncan John was our friend who we met about 3 years ago; at first we had no idea he had been sick and enjoyed him for his fabulous wit and positive spin on life; he loved his Miata, a dram of whiskey and spending time with family and friends. We visited him the week before his passing and even though he was sleepy he still had a smile and quips to keep us on our toes. He’s in our thoughts daily and will be greatly missed but it is heartening to know that he will be remembered by so many.
-
Corina R. Sanders My sympathies go out to John’s family but also to each one of us….all of John’s many friends…all of us have lost someone very precious. May we all find a way to continue to celebrate his life.
-
Wynter Langston John was a friend for only a short time and he made a huge difference and gave me hope in believing in my dream. His sense of
humour, wit and story telling had many people, including me, in the palm of his hand and heart. John was indeed a genuine person who was always open to help and to give and to participate fully in life.
I will miss him but I know he’s continuing his adventures
in the great beyond with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. Sending his family and friends peace and courage during this difficult time.
-
Clo Breton I will dearly miss this amazing person with whom I had the priviledge and joy to know and appreciate. That smile, those eyes and joy de vivre.. that’s what I’ll always remember and cherish!
To the Coppard family, my sincere condolescence to your loss and of course our loss. Let’s, though, do what John did so well! Embrace life!Clo Breton
-
Gail and Chris Jiggins A kind and thoughtful man, a Gentleman with such an aura of dignity and grace. You will be missed.
-
Don Perrin John was a good friend of mine, and he is missed. My condolences go to his family and other friends. John was unique, in the best of ways, and I truly loved him for it. God speed, Johnny!
-
Pamela Eisenzimmer My deepest sympathies to Johns family. You’re all in my heart and prayers. His life will continue to be celebrated and his memory will live on, through each person he has ever know.
I was just remembering John yesterday and to my surprise I got to see the message from Ian Rennie. It really shows how deep he was in all our hearts.