When you live in a hospital for a month you're going to meet some great people. Following my first surgery and the ensuing complications which forced me to reside for a month at the Foothills hospital, I shared a room with one such person. Murray Copot was his name and during our stay we, and our wives and families, became friends. All his family, including numerous children (he had 5) and grandchildren (he had 9), came to visit him daily. He was obviously well liked by his family, and evidently, the Calgary hockey community. In the early 1990's he had a hockey rink named after him in North East Calgary. This was following many thousands of hours spent volunteering for Hockey Calgary as a coach and in administration. He is also a veteran of the second world war and was on the HSCS Alberni when it was torpedoed off the coast of France in 1944. You realize right away with Murray that being in his company is special. He has left a great legacy and will be missed.Calgary's "Mr. Hockey," who dedicated most of his life to the game he so loved, has passed away.
Murray Copot died Monday at a hospice, with his wife Mary at his side. He was 87.
"He enjoyed his life," said Mary Copot. "His hour was up, now he's on to a new journey."
The couple would have been married 62 years this June.
He leaves behind five children, nine grandchildren and one great grandson, said Mary, 87.
"He did his family proud and his community," she said.
Copot, who was honoured to have the Thorncliffe arena renamed the Murray T. Copot Arena after him in 1991, was legendary in the hockey community, and won many awards for his dedication to the sport.
He began as a hockey dad, then went on to coaching in 1955 and ultimately held various administration roles with the Calgary Minor Hockey Association, Hockey Alberta and the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
He eventually won the Canadian Hockey Associations' Volunteer of the Year award and a lifetime achievement award from the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association.
In 1993, at age 69, he was named the city's 40th Sportsman of the Year by the Calgary Booster Club.
The hockey community is mourning the legend's death.
Hockey Calgary president Perry Cavanagh called him a mentor.
"Two guys can carry the title of Mr. Hockey," said Cavanagh. "One of them wears a No. 9 (Gordie Howe) and the other is Murray Copot."
"To have a sports facility named after you before you are deceased proves that you are well respected," said Cavanagh. "He was an incredible human being who will be missed by Hockey Calgary."
Copot's death is being felt across the country. On Tuesday night, the Western Hockey League posted a statement on their website:
"Murray was not only a great friend to many of us involved in the game, but he was a special volunteer who gave so many years unselfishly to ensure young hockey players had every opportunity to excel and enjoy the sport," WHL commissioner Ron Robison said.
Copot served in the Second World War and was on the Canadian Navy ship, the HMCS Alberni when it was torpedoed off the coast of France in 1944. Copot was one of 31 to survive. Fifty nine others died that day.
"He became involved with young people because he wanted them to become good citizens, be involved in sports and be a part of their community," said Mary.
"He wanted young people to enjoy life and have fun. He was proud to be part of that."
1 comment:
I'm so sorry to hear about Mr Copot. I remember you saying what an amazing man he was. What a legacy he left in Calgary but also through his family. I would think If I had ever known a Grandpa I would like him to have been like Murray.
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