COOPER, James 'Hamish' - (11 March, 1939 – 4 November, 2020)
My dad was born in Dumbarton, Scotland better known as the ancient capital. He was from a small family of two boys. He became joiner/carpenter by trade and immigrated to Canada the first time in 1957. He soon realized it was a lonely country when all that you loved was still in Scotland, especially that fiery redhead Shona.
He soon sent for his sweetheart and they were married in 1958, started a family right away, and quickly followed by a serious bout of homesickness. They returned to Scotland to spend a few year and complete their own family… one daughter Heather, and two sons Jimmy (deceased) and David.
After the birth of their second son, it was quickly decided that Canada was a better place to be and so off the little family went to a new life in Canada. Hamish went first to get things ready and the family soon followed. He bought a home in Scarborough where the family lived for over 20 years.
During that time he worked construction on some of the famous landmarks in downtown Toronto….CN tower, Eatons Centre, Royal Bank plaza etc. His work also took him out of town and away from his family from time to time. On one such occasion he ended up in Newfoundland. His family was everything to him and so when he was required back at home quickly, he ventured out in a blinding blizzard that resulted in serious injuries and a lengthy hospital stay. This was in 1977 and marked the end of his working career. This accident is what also led up to his diagnosis with Parkinsons Disease and epilepsy.
Hamish and his wife Shona, decided to move out of Toronto to enjoy an early, even if somewhat forced, retirement. This gave them both the opportunity to better pursue their hobbies, especially Hamish. They purchased a home with acreage in Peterborough where Hamish kept and pursued his love of homing pigeons. He travelled all over the continent racing these birds and even went so far as to sneak eggs into the country from one of his trips home to Scotland. It was quite a task to say the least. He had the eggs is a container with cotton batten and guarded them with his life. He took them everywhere with him to ensure their warmth and safety til he could get them back to Canada and under one of his own birds.
They spent 25 years in Peterborough until failing health caused them sell up and return to Scarborough. They were an amazing couple, the true definition of til death do us part. My mother took care of my dad until she passed away suddenly Easter 2018. They had been married for 60 years. Lord knows I thought my mother deserved sainthood for looking after him.
My dad could be a stubborn, trying individual but I wouldn’t have changed him for the world. Anyone looking in would have thought 'what a dysfunctional family'… terms of endearment from my dad usually contained four letter words in the same sentence and I don’t mean L O V E. But he always said what he meant and meant what he said.
He loved the casino, his pigeons and his family most of all. If he was here he would tell you he had a good life. He was ready to go a long time ago. He saw his children grow and start families of their own. He watched his grandchildren grow up to adulthood and even walked one of his granddaughters down the aisle. And best of all, he met his great grandchildren and got to be part of their life for a short time. This is a life a lot of people don’t get to experience. He had no regrets… well except the casino closed down due to Covid before he got to win big again.
He leaves behind his daughter Heather, son David and his wife Laurie, grandchildren Matthew, Sarah and Kayode, Alexis and Tianna. And his great grandchildren Zoe and KJ (Kayode James) better known as Kick and Punch to his papa.
Arrangements with Giffen-Mack funeral home, Scarborough chapel.
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