Kenneth William Cooper

Ken died in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba, surrounded by his family and in a place where he was loved and cared for in his final months. He is survived by wife Joanna (Sirski), daughter Teresa and son in law Jordan Janisse, son Greg and daughter in law Charity (Henderson), grandchildren Gabriel and Linley Janisse and Ariel Pellerin (Snyder) and her husband Kevin. Also survived by sister Nancy (Ray Drury) of New Zealand and in laws Pat Sirski (late Andrew Sirski), Gloria (Bill Bates), Joyce (Jack Howell), Russell (Barb) and Ernie (Jan) and nieces and nephews across the world in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, and China.

Ken was born in Leeston, New Zealand. His formal schooling was cut short at age 15 when he was needed on the family farm, but his love of learning never stopped. He became an accomplished bagpiper and target shooter while working in the agriculture industry. He met Joanna in New Zealand when she was working there and made the decision to move to Canada. They married in 1969 and eventually settled in Dauphin.

Ken became a high-level shooting official, working at Commonwealth, Pan Am and Canada Games and continued to pursue his own sporting and air rifle competitive career into his 70’s. Ken was highly active in various capacities in the Shooting Federation of Canada, Manitoba Provincial Rifle Association, Manitoba Junior Rifle Club, Dauphin Game and Fish, and the Dauphin Junior Rifle Club. He piped with the Winnipeg Massed Pipes and Drums when they were invited to be part of the 1976 Rose Bowl Parade in the All-Canada Pipers Band. He was a tireless volunteer for local arts and cultural groups and festivals, including Theatre Amisk, Dauphin Countryfest, Trembowla Cross of Freedom and many others. His love of all things mechanical led to the 38 years that they ran JK Appliance Repair Service.

Ken was fortunate that his loving daughter in law Charity was a nurse and offered to care for him after he was diagnosed with cancer. He spent his days on their farm near Gilbert Plains surrounded by the things that made him happy: good food, sleep, cats and a dog, a can of Coke, car races on TV and his family. He was also grateful for the wonderful care of his aides, particularly Loretta.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Sneath Strilchuk Funeral Services of Dauphin. Flowers gratefully declined, instead, donations can be made to the Dauphin and District Arts Legacy Fund via the Dauphin and District Community Foundation Inc at https://www.mycharitytools.com/gift/wpgfdn/donate?fund=238 or Trembowla Cross of Freedom.

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