The Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Calgary South Ken Copithorne: Family History Glenn Potter began introducing our guest by say- ing that Last spring Orma came home with a book on about Pioneer Families of Alberta. The book almost magically opened to an article on the Copithorne family. I shared the article with Ken and at the same time asked him if he’d tell the family story to the club – so here we are. Ken just so you know you can blame your predicament on Orma. Ken grew up in that rural to urban environment. He attended Western Canada High and then went on to study agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. Upon graduation he moved into the ranching and cattle export areas and through his companies and consulting sent livestock and agricultural products to places from Mexico to Korea and Japan. Naturally he travelled to most of those places as well. Somewhere in here was time for a family and the raising of children to carry on the Copithorne tradi- tions. Ken has been a member of the Calgary Cham- August 30th, 2018: Volume 64, Issue 7 ber of Commerce and naturally the Rotary Club of Bulletin Chair: Bev Ostermann Calgary South. He’s probably served on every com- Editor: Carol Graham mittee we have! He’s a past President and a Past District Governor. Photographer: Norm Legare Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome our own Ro- tary Auctioneer, Ken Copithorne. INSIDE THIS BULLETIN Ken provided us with a wonderful overview of his family history beginning in Ireland. Due to space, it isn’t possible to provide all of the details that were 1. KEN COPITHORNE: FAMILY HISTORY informative, funny and touching. Here are only some 2. KEN COPITHORNE: FAMILY HISTORY of the highlights from his presentation: 3. KEN COPITHORNE: FAMILY HISTORY The Copithorne’s first arrived in Ireland in the mid 4. CLUB NEWS 1600’s during the time of the Cromwell war. Two 5. CLUB NEWS Copithorne’s survived the battles and a Captain Co- 6. CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS pithorne was rewarded with some land in Kerry but 7. CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS eventually settled in Skibbereen district. 8. ROTARY BETHANY ATRIUM OPEN HOUSE During the 19th century there was an exodus from 9. WATERTON PEACE PARK ASSEMBLY Ireland which included his Grandfather Richard and 10. PARTNERS IN PRINT Great Uncles. Many Copithorne’s made to way to 11. HIKING CLUB Boston, Chicago and Calgary. 12. RCCS CALENDAR Ken’s Grandfather immigrated to Canada in 1887 13. 2018 2019 CONTACT INFORMATION following his younger brother John who arrived in 1883. John was a colourful character who was broke and greatly exaggerated his experience as a mule Want to watch this week’s meeting? skinner to get a job, having only ridden a stolen mule to Bible study in Ireland. Click Here: https://bit.ly/2IKLlVc The Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Calgary South Ken Copithorne: Family History Grandmother Margaret was a generous woman, sharing food with those less fortunate and skilled in identifying health issues and suggesting remedies. She was very familiar with remedial herbs and was often called instead of the local Doctor. Grandfather Richard landed his first job working on the Mission Bridge, earning enough money to buy a team of horses and a wag- on and started a freight business. This business took him to areas The original XC Ranch west of Calgary where he passed through the Jumping Pound area and it reminded him of Ireland. He started out with a quarter section homestead and that was the beginning of a long history of ranching. He also acquired another quarter that he purchased from CPR and he built a sod roofed house. Initially the family milked cows to make butter and raised chick- ens for the eggs. They would haul the butter and eggs to Calgary for sale to local merchants. It was a long day as they needed to return that day as they couldn’t afford lodging to stay overnight. In the early 1890’s they began to raise beef cattle and horses. The horse side of the business was more successful as working horses were in high demand by the ranching and farming community as well as the Northwest Mounted Police and the Canadian army. As the need for horses declined the beef cattle numbers grew and became the area for growth. Each succeeding generation continued to accumulate land and in 1932 the family made a very large purchase of land known as XC. That portion of the ranch went to Ken’s father when Grandfather Richard passed away. Ken recalled many wonderful memories growing up on the ranch with both freedoms and many responsibilities-such as chores that an adult would do. The children were responsible for their own safety and rode to school on horses without su- pervision. Ken was thrown from a horse twice and dragged until he managed to loosen his foot or pull off his boot. For many years a few of the family ranches got together to help at brandings and moving cattle. Although it was hard work there was always fun despite bruises and a few broken bones. Ken also mentioned a rich family history on his mother’s side-the McDougall’s of Scotland. Reverend George and his sons established the first Church and Missionary at Fort Edmonton. Ken’s Grandfather David was the first person to bring cattle into Alberta. The thread of qualities that governed the lives of Copithorne’s are still practiced today: respecting elders, integ- rity, sense of community, work ethic, your word is your bond. Ken never had a written contract and never had a failure . He has always tried to seek out people with similar qualities in both business and friendship which is why he has always found Rotary such a good fit. 2 The Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Calgary South Ken Copithorne: Family History Ken concluded with a prayer read by Russell Copithorne at the Copithorne Centennial celebra- tion in 1983: Lord value me as a channel of thy peace That where there is hatred I can bring love That where there is wrong that I may bring the spirit of forgiveness That where there is discord I may bring harmony That where there is doubt I may bring faith That where there is despair that I may bring hope That where there are shadows I may bring light That where there is sadness I may bring joy Lord may I seek another to comfort than to be comfortable To understand rather than be understood To love rather than to be loved For it is by my self forgetting that one finds It is by forgiving that one is forgiven It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life. George Deegan thanked Ken for his very educational and enjoyable presentation noting that the Copithorne history has influenced both Calgary and the Province of Alberta. George also noted that Ken has exhibited the Cowboy values and ethics throughout his 50 years of service at Rotary South. Thanks from Director Dana: On behalf of our guest speaker today the Club will donate $100 to the Stay in School program on be- half of Ken Copithorne’s work and dedication to the club. Frank Copithorne & Grandsons Thank you Ken (fourth Generation) 3 The Bulletin of The Rotary Club of Calgary South Club News Director Dana Hunter filled in for President Ron today and did a great job. Good afternoon and Welcome to the Rotary Club of Calgary South for August 30th, 2018, I am Dana Hunter and I am honored to be standing in for President Ron Prokosch during his vacation. So recently Stan Cichon and his wife Barbara noticed that they were getting a lot more for- getful, so they decided to go to the doctor. The doctor told them that they should start writ- ing things down so they don't forget. When they arrived home, Barbara then told Stan she wanted a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream. "Write it down," she told him, and again Stan said, "No, no, I can remember: you want a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream." Then Barbara said she wants a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top. "Write it down," she told Stan and again he said, "No, I got it. You want a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top." So Stan goes to get the ice cream and spends an unusually long time in the kitchen, over 30 minutes. Stan comes out to Barbara and hands her a plate of eggs and bacon. Barbara stares at the plate for a moment, then looks at Stan and asks, "Where is the toast? Please join Lisa Fernandes in the singing of O Canada and Rotary Grace. Head Table: Ken Copithorne (Guest Speaker, Club Member, Past President and Past District Governor), (Distinguished Actor and Member), Tom Walton (Sergeant-At-Arms), Don Whalen )Guest: Dana Hunter) and Craig Stokke. Bulletin Editor: Carol Graham Bulletin Photographer: Norm Legare Visitors and Guests: Shellie Marshall introduced Pat Deegan and Jeanette King (Guests: George Deegan), Carol Brown (Guest: Bob Brawn), Orma Potter (Guest: Glenn Potter), Don Whalen (Guest: Dana Hunter), Ernie Yaskowich (Guest: Murray Flegel), Beck Shaw (Guest: Dick Shaw), Michael Vandezan (Guest: Mike Ruttan), Jack Che (Guest: Tommy Low), and Clarence Buchley (Calgary West), Bob Boyden (Canmore) and Mark Rowe (Heritage Park). Announcements: Our Long time Member Hugh Delaney has been selected for an international commercial, he will be leaving for Belgium in early September, please wish him well on this accomplishment.