Burke Cope
Gordon "Burke" Cope was the only child of Morley Ryerson and Elizabeth (Smart) Cope. Born on August 6, 1928 and raised in Chesley, Burke attended Chesley Public and High Schools. In Grade 12 he contracted tuberculosis and spent the next three years in Freeport Sanatorium. When he regained his health, Burke joined his dad in the family hardware business until his dad's retirement in 1957. He married Beverley Beatrice Floyd in 1959 and they spent the first two years of their married life in Hamilton and then Brockville where he worked as a sales representative for Crest Hardware and Beverley worked as a nurse. In 1961 they returned to Chesley to reopen the family hardware store and raise their two daughters, Ann Elizabeth and Sandra Lynn. Through the years Burke supported the local community through his involvement in the Rotary and Kinsmen clubs and was a member of St. John's United Church. In 1996 he and Beverley closed the store and enjoyed retired living. In his retirement, Burke continued to volunteer his time. He enjoyed being part of the parking lot crew at the Grey Bruce Children's Water Festival and was honoured to support patients and their families as a volunteer driver for the Canadian Cancer Society. Burke died at South Bruce Gery Health Centre, Chesley on Friday, January 27, 2012.
Friends and family are invited to join Beverley, Ann and Sandra at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley for visitation on Sunday from 7 - 9 p.m. where a memorial service celebrating Burke's life will be held on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 2 p.m. Spring inurnment in Chesley Cemetery. Donations in memory of Burke can be made to the Chesley Hospital Foundation, Chesley Medical Clinic or the Canadian Cancer Society, in support of volunteer drivers.