COPLEY, Lloyd Guy
Lieutenant-Commander, RCN (Ret’d)
passed away at Eagle Park Health Care Facility of Qualicum Beach, BC
on Saturday, 28 March, 2009
Born 11 November, 1918, in Duncan, BC to a well known pioneer family in the Cobble Hill-Shawnigan Lake area, he was pre-deceased in 1997 by Laura, his beloved wife of 55 years, and by a son, Commander Ronald S. Copley, RCN, in 1985; and also by two brothers, Frank and Norman Copley, and sisters, Mrs. Maidie Carver (Fred), and Mrs. Elsie Piper (Ken). He is survived by two children, Mrs. Jay E. Ferguson (Jack) of Parksville, and Guy Patrick Copley (Kelly) of Cobble Hill, and by nine grandchildren, Richard (Dana), Douglas (Serenity), Daniel (Karen) and Samantha Copley, Chris Gibson, Riza Hoskins (Chad), Nathan, and Michael Ferguson and Courtney Ferguson-Pratt (Dave), and by ten great-grandsons; by one brother Theo Copley of Victoria, as well as by his erstwhile daughter-in-law, Mrs. Linda Copley-Marchand (Rick), who will always be considered a permanent member of the family.
Dad grew up in the Victoria area and joined the navy in 1937 in the engineering branch. His life at sea included many years on Atlantic convoy duties in destroyers, frigates, and minesweepers during the war, attaining the rank of Chief Engine-room Artificer in 1944. He received his commission in 1945 as Warrant Engineer and served first as Engineer Officer of HMCS Louisburg and later HMCS Levis in which he returned to the west coast in 1946. After the war he served in HMC Ships Ontario, Huron (during the Korean War), Magnificent, Terra Nova, and Cape Breton, in addition to a number of shore appointments in both the Halifax and Esquimalt dockyards, and at Naval Headquarters in Ottawa. He ended his military career in April, 1968 after 32 years but continued his service to the navy in a civilian capacity for a further sixteen years as Senior Executive Staff Officer at the Esquimalt base in which position he was able to enjoy his association with many old navy friends and shipmates both in and out of uniform. He also played a role in setting up a military museum in the base and served as its chairman for a number of years. He was a member of the Maritime Museum of BC, the Canadian Institute of Marine Engineering, the Naval Officers Association of Canada, and the Chief Petty Officers’ Association.
The family would like to express profound gratitude for unflagging support to the following.....
Dr. MURRAY STANWOOD (& Staff); WIHA Home-care Nurses @ Esquimalt & @ Parksville; Christine @ We Care/Victoria; the wonderful staff @ Eagle Park Lodge; Kaylie and Lea @ Laureva House; Staff @ Rexall Drugs/Admirals Walk and @ Pharmasave Health Centre/Parksville; and so many, many thanks to Dad’s neighbours/friends Debra & John D’Arcy, and Terry & Jackie Eckstein.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Dad’s memory to the David Foster Foundation. 212 Henry St. Victoria, BC V9A 3 H9.
Memorial Service will be held Thursday, April 9, 2009, 2:00 pm at First Memorial Funeral Chapel, 4725 Falaise Drive, Saanich, BC