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COWPER, Tom

COWPER, Tom - Passed away suddenly in Kelowna, BC on November 22, 2008 at the age of 55 years.

Survived by his loving family, wife Janet, son Michael, daughter Joanna, mother Florence, three sisters Jackie (Chuck) Allison, Val (Scott) Fargey, Janet Teare, in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

Tom was born in Cambridge, Ont. June 9, 1953. He obtained a Bachelor of Physical Education from McMaster University, a Bachelor of Education at the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Education at UBC. Tom was a teacher of the blind and visually impaired, a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, and an orientation and mobility instructor. In the summer of 1983 Tom rode his bicycle across Canada, stopping for two weeks in Ottawa to attend a sign language course, and it was here that he met his wife Janet. They would teach together in Cranbrook, Langley, and Kelowna where they eventually raised their family. Tom dedicated many hours coaching gymnastic and goalball, a sport for blind athletes. He recently won the Jay Wadsworth Chapter Service Award. This award is in recognition of outstanding personal and professional contribution in the field of visual impairment and blindness.

Tom loved BC and the outdoors, skiing, camping, hiking and biking. Because of his long time interest in trains, the Kettle Valley Railway, discovered during a bike trip, was one of his favorite places to explore. A recent trip to Hong Kong this summer was a family highlight.

He will be remembered for his kindness, laughter, sense of humor, the love he had for life and his family, and he will be greatly missed.

There will be a celebration of Tom’s life on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 1:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 1162 Hudson Road, Kelowna.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BC Blind Sports Goalball Program, 330-5055 Joyce Street, Vancouver, BC, V5R 6B2.