G. Desmond Copping

If you asked his many friends and acquaintances, they’d all agree that "Desmond" Copping of Wilson’s Beach, Campobello was a master of social graces, a master of conversation, and a master of adventure.

Desmond passed away in St. Stephen, New Brunswick with his family by his side on July 14th, 2025. He left this world with one final comment, "I’m Prepared, and I’ll be walking beside you always". With wide open eyes, he looked up into the sky, laughed joyfully, and said, "My, what do we have here?" He left us soon thereafter. His pain is no longer and he now resides with the angels that looked after him for the 87 years of his remarkable life.

He was a force to be reckoned with, a known curmudgeon at times, but always an educator, a confident dreamer, a brilliant economist, and a political guru.

He’d give you anything you needed, he was artistic, meticulously organized, and a master coordinator of all things "life".

He loved classical music and world history and studied intently with his wife Christina. The two traveled all over the world together and settled in Sydney, Australia where they enjoyed the views of not only Bondi Beach, but majestic views from all over the world as a result of their extensive travels.

Desmond’s life was not always an easy one. He made choices early on that created hurdles most of us will never have to overcome. But he repented, he forgave and he woke every day with the mantra, "Never be a prisoner of your past. it was just a lesson, not a life sentence."

What Desmond is best known for is his love for adventure, his world travels, and his tenacity and persistence when climbing the highest peaks on all continents. He passed this love of travel onto his daughter, Heather, and his beloved grandchildren. He even summited Mt. Kilimanjaro with grandchildren in tow. There was not an option for giving up during that climb. There was never an option of giving up on anything in life, really. "So much of who we are is where we have been and what we’ve accomplished," he’d say.

He also carted his grandchildren to Mt. Everest, guided them to Base Camp one, then up to the famous Kumba Ice Falls. He took them to Tibet, Kathmandu, and off to Africa where he showed them amazing sites in Egypt, Kenya, and Tanzania.

His "climbing buddy", Howard Beiles and he created a bond that made them inseparable allies as they continued to travel the world, climb all the mountains, and tackle life’s hurdles together.

Desmond made friends wherever he went. His Campobello Island community became his reason to "participate" every day. Peter and Bea, Noel, Kathy, Cammie, Bob, Suzanne and Jim, Brian and Julie, Deanna, Bob, Evelyn, Sandra, Kari, Jennifer and George, Michele and Steven and many more kept his spirits up, his heart happy, and his mind engaged.

Sammy, his black lab, and best friend were inseparable. As Desmond’s health was failing, his biggest priority was that Sammy be provided with all the love and comforts that life can afford. Sammy is lost without his master, and I’m sure Desmond is looking forward to their reunion one day.

If you were fortunate to enjoy a pot of perfectly brewed tea and some homemade cookies at his kitchen table, you inevitably enjoyed intense discussions about world politics, the global economy and listened to poems or quotes of encouragement. "Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die tomorrow", was one he lived by and encouraged others to follow.

As you’d walk out the kitchen door, he’d hope you’d learned some valuable life lessons and would always end the conversation with, "Can I leave that with you?"

Yes, Dad, you certainly can. We’ve got the helm from here. The bases are covered, the I’s dotted and all the T’s are crossed. I promise. ❤️

Desmond leaves behind his wife Christina Graf of Sydney, Australia, his children; Desmond Copping, Heather Henry Tenan (Glen Tenan), Willow Owen (Greg Owen), Darlene Biron Copping and sister Dr. Valerie Copping. He left behind loving grandchildren; Alex Henry, Dr. Eric Courtney Henry, Brad Copping, Luke Copping, Jana Biron, Daniel Donovan and Christopher Biron, his loyal dog Sammy, some amazing friends from all over the world and his Campobello Companions of which are many. One of his most prized relationships was with his Nepalese family that included Deepa, Sajeev, and Devanshi.

He was predeceased by his parents, Viola and George Edwin Copping, along with his siblings, Sean Copping and Sunny Copping.

To honor Dad’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.

Donations in Desmond’s memory can be made to a Go Fund Me page that will result in the construction of a home for a Honduran family in La Ceiba, a community that was near and dear to his heart. Fundraiser by Heather Henry Tenan : Donate to Provide Shelter for La Ceiba Families

Condolences to the family can be sent to S.O. Mehan & Son Funeral Home