The next couple of days are of Grandpa (Percy Copithorne). I have such great memories of Grandpa, the fact that I was only 7 when he died and I have so many (relatively speaking) memories of going on adventures with him tells me that he must have spent a lot of time with us.
I’m assuming this was when Grandma and Grandpa went to Africa Margie Ramsay, Percy Copithorne, Maria Nicoll (I see the painting we discussed a few days ago in the background. I wonder if there are two copies or if that one somehow migrated back here? Uncle Ted mentioned it was a Roland Gissing and I remember mom saying that as well. It shows up one more time in today’s photos too) Aileen, Sheila, Margie, and Margaret on Percy 1949Percy Copithorne signing a guest book for a 21st birthday party at Clarence Copithorne’s Percy Copithorne 1920. Hunting tripMarshall Copithorne, Richard Copithorne, Frank Copithorne, Percy Copithorne, Louis Copithorne, Don McKinnon, Harry Nicoll. (Fishing party)Margie, Edna, Percy. I’m guessing the baby is Dixie? (And the painting one more time – it seems as though it migrated around a lot. It’s in a different spot here.)Left to Right: Bill Piper, Kenneth Ebenezer (?) Percy Copithorne, Marshall Copithorne, at breakfast April 1964. Somehow when Grandma said she’d disliked the small window on the south end of the kitchen I had thought they’d replaced it with the stained glass right away – but here it is with the old regular window in 1964. What an improvement the stained glass window makes to this room!! That bone painting above the door was done by Grandma and hung there until my sister inherited it and now it hangs in her house.
I loved it when the house looked like this. Sheila and Margie copithorne and old BuckSheila with Smokey the cat in the can Percy and Edna Copithorne at May _____ home after catching a salmon off Victoria Left to right: David Copithorne, Lawrence Copithorne, Clarence Buckley, Sheila Copithorne, baby??, Harvey Buckley, Marshall Copithorne, Margie Copithorne, Gordon Davies.
Some of the most important members of the family – the pets of days gone by
Old Buster our first dog and we called him Buster Buster at Copithorne’s May 1964 (this must be at least Buster II – and they had a Buster when I was a child who must have been at least Buster III who was one of the best dogs)Hatching turkey eggs (ok these aren’t pets but they’re here for lack of a better spot)Rex and Leader September 1952What a cutie!!
Grandpa riding in the Stampede Parade. I believe he’s riding Toots who absolutely terrified me as a child. Not only was she gigantic but she was fiercely protective of my horse and one time charged me and chased me away while I was out alone in the field catching my horse – I would have been maybe 6 or so. I just remember flaring nostrils and legs coming at me, and then she stopped inches away from me, put her head to my face and snorted loudly. I booked it back home crying. Got very little sympathy too haha Phyllis Strutt 1942. She is a relative of Grandmas on the Brown side I believe Percy and Edna Copithorne home and pets. On the left you can see the lean to kitchen grandma described in her memories. Think of the quality of cameras back in the day and then consider how close the photographer must have been to these bears. We are about to discover the answer to the age old question “does a bear poop in the woods?”
I am starting a series called “A History in Photos”. I found this box of old photos of Grandma’s in my closet a couple of years ago. Some of them are labeled and some are not, so some days we will get to play “who are these people?” And hopefully y’all can help me out. I will experiment with some better lighting- the photos are in better shape than the scanning shows. Anyway, here we go!!
Edited to add: it seems taking a photo works better than scanning the photos so I’ve included those. And I’ve had some help from a cousin deciphering grandma’s handwriting which is greatly appreciated!!
CPR Station about 1913. Left to right: Mr Alex McEwen, other man is Charlie McGill (I think). Written on the side: you are welcome to use this picture if you wish. Ladies Group 1909-10. Left to right Front row: Mrs Alec(?) Mortimer, Mrs McBain, Mrs Peyto, Mrs M McNamee Back row: Mrs McEwen, Mrs Grummit(?), Mrs Foster, Mrs Christanson, unknown, Mrs White (later became Mrs Chas Grayson) Mrs Campbell. Front row: baby Earl Mortimer, girl is Cathie McNamee, boy is Kenneth CampbellI can’t make this out well enough – if anyone else can I appreciate that!! *Edit: Reme and Mrs Claston, Ruth Claston, Mrs Marion McEwen-Barkley, Marg (Mary?) McBain, Mr Laird (teachers)Harvest Festival, St. Andrews Presbyterian church Cochrane 1911Sorry uncle GordLouise Copithorne (Mrs Chas Copithorne) I didn’t know her but I think she’s absolutely stunning. I found her grave online: Louise Caroling TempanyCopithorne BIRTH 1909 DEATH 1979 (aged 69–70)Sorry again uncle Gord