Obituary of Charles McCoy

B I O G R A P H Y Keith having in his words lived a good life, passed away peacefully and without regret, surrounded by family, on January 17, 2005. Keith is survived by: his loving wife of 54 years Bernice; four children: Heather, husband Ron Walker of Colonsay, SK; Maureen, husband Ed Wald of Lloydminster; Cam, wife Sandy McCoy of Bonnyville; Ian, wife Donelda McCoy of Lloydminster; nine grandchildren; five great grandchildren; one brother Ray McCoy, wife Victoria, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Keith was predeceased by his grandson Kenneth on July 10, 1999, three brothers, Angus, David and Waldo McCoy. The full Royal Canadian Legion funeral service for Keith was conducted at the Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Friday, January 21, 2005 at 10:00 A.M., Reverend Norm Laird officiating. The eulogy was given by grandson-in-law Rob Svarich, a tribute was given by Keith's son Cameron. Honorary pallbearers were members of The Masonic Lodge. Active pallbearers were Grandchildren: Renee Maitland, Michelle Svarich, Travis Walker, Shaine Wald, Brett McCoy, Tyler McCoy, Brad McCoy, Alix McCoy and Richard McCoy. Eulogy On behalf of myself and our families, we'd like to thank everyone for coming. I was at work on Monday when Ian called to say Dad was gone. I was two hours south of Grande Prairie on the Two Lakes road - God's country as dad would put it, and he knew because he'd been here most every fall for the better part of 20 years. As I drove I came to the top of Chinook Ridge, this was one of dad's favorite spots and he had stopped here many times to take in the beauty. I would like to share this with you. He stands looking over the Narroway Valley - a long and deep valley. The noon hour sun warms his bare hands and face, a cool breeze whisks up from the valley below bringing the sweet scent of autumn to him. He first looks some 20 miles to the south knowing the Kakwa falls are there nestled up against the Rockies. He then turns and looks to the north where the foothills roll off into the Peace Country. Now as he faces West the valley drops sharply away, then rolls into a vast expanse of green until it drops over the edge to the river below. He cant' see the river but he knows its there - he's crossed it many times. His gaze starts up the far side - the green breaks into a brilliant shining vista of yellow, red and orange intensified by the autumn sun. He stares a long time taking it all in. And then he focuses on the jagged Rocky Mountains, their peaks covered in white from an early winter snow. He respects the land for he knows that a man can be swallowed up by these mountains, this river or the forest. He scans the valley one last time. Turning with a smile on his face he taps out a fresh Copenhagen and starts into that valley, all along cussing about that God forsaken rut of a road, and he'd cross that river commenting that the water is still colder than a witch's tit. Then climbing out of the valley he looks back over the edge and remarks that it was enough to give a billy goat a nose bleed. That night he would sleep like a chainsaw. In the morning with the ten sagging from six inches of fresh snow, he'd lay there and comment to Walker "that fire won't light itself" and to Eddy about how good the bacon and eggs would taste if they were over the fire. He'd crawl out of his tent and tuck a new roll of paper under his arm, while heading for the bush you could hear the comment that this snow is just deep enough to dip his boys in this morning. To Dad, this is the start of another great day. Now as I continue my way home I wondered what it takes to be a great man. - Is a scientist a great man for discovering a cure for a deadly or disabling disease? I believe so. - Is a politician - the supposed leader of men and country - a great man? I don't know. - What of a regular man, a man generous to a fault, always a smile and kind words to those he met, with not an enemy in the world? Is this a great man? I know so. I'd like to read the words of another great man - I found these notes in some of Dad's papers and this is what he lived by: We should never miss a chance to make a new friend. The kindness in words and deeds that we express on earth may well be our own heaven on earth. Be as generous as you can to your fellow man as this is a direct reflection of your inner being. Card of Thanks We would like to give thanks to the Lloydminster Handivan and Homecare, the Masons and Legion, Piper Willy Higgins, Reverend Norm Laird for conducting a compassionate and heartfelt service, the nurses at the Lloydminster hospital for their care and support over the past year, and especially Dr. Mark Chapelski for going above and beyond his professional call of duty. We are grateful to the many friends and family who showed support through phone calls, flowers, food, and visits. Finally, thank you to McCaw's for making our time of sorrow easier to bear. Bernice McCoy and Family Donations in memory of Keith may be made to the Lloydminster Handivan Society or the Lloydminster Home Care.