June 21, 1961 - January 20, 2019
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 granddaughter 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, brothers-in-law, Leonard (Heather) Austman of Coquitlam, Karl (Mary) Austman of Regina, Lauren (Chanen) Austman of Saskatoon, sisters-in-law 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 held at Abbotsford Pentecostal Church, 3145 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford, BC at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 1, 2019. Internment will be in Regina RCMP Cemetery, Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 11:30 am.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence on the family's on-line obituary at: www.myalternatives.ca
