Peacefully on Monday, January 28, 2019, John Hart Copsey, age 74, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, under the care of the kind staff at Grace General Hospital.

 

John was born March 5, 1944 in Winnipeg to Dorothy (Hart) and Harold Copsey. His considerable talents in art and music emerged at an early age, and by his teens he was performing in local rock groups and coffeehouses in Winnipeg while attending Kelvin High School. John's early musical associations included some Winnipeg musicians who would go on to international acclaim, and his contributions to Winnipeg's emerging rock scene have been documented and published by at least one musical historian. He participated in a number of musical stage productions in Winnipeg throughout the 1960s, and was featured on CBWT (CBC) TV's “Showcase” as a solo performer. He continued to entertain audiences into the 1970s at local lounges, benefit concerts, hospitals, and institutions for the aged and learning disabled. In addition to his musical talents, John attended Fine Arts at the University of Manitoba, and was a gifted painter, sketcher, sculptor, and handicraft artist. John’s caring, nurturing and gentle nature was also expressed through his love of plants and animals. A devoted son, John took care to provide companionship and assistance to his mother in her later years.

 

John was preceded in death by his brothers Bill and David, his mother Dorothy, his father Harold, and aunts Leta and Etta. He is survived and lovingly remembered by nephew John Copsey (Cheryl) and daughter Sara, niece Robin Kilmury (Michael) and her children Matthew and Emma. John’s memory will also be cherished by the Fisher family of Winnipeg, including cousins Elizabeth, Jack Breakwell, Lorne (Susan) and children Marci and Adrienne, Milo and children Sebastian (Janice) and Natasha, Miles, Fortune (Gary) and children Shaun and Shane (Mardene), Candy (Zoltan) and children Sheri, Chrissy (Rodney) and Jenny (Jeremy), Robin and son Tyler (Courtney), Rory (Kim) and son Christopher, Holly and daughter Leanna (Thomas), Monica and children Michael, Hailey (Adam) and Michaela, and Joshua, son to Clay (deceased).

 

Friends and relatives are encouraged to share their own memories, stories, and photos by using the comments section on this page.

 

A private family graveside service for immediate family will be held at Brookside Cemetery followed by a memorial at Westminster United Church.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society.