James Douglas Cooper

It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the passing of James Douglas Cooper on April 6, 2026.

Doug was born on December 29, 1955. His father Emmitt worked for the railroad so the family lived in many locations across Saskatchewan. His mother Edna was a busy working mom of three boys. Doug played hockey, basketball and football in high school.

After high school, Doug worked on the oil rigs and was employed on a sod farm in Edmonton. He would eventually return to Prince Albert where he worked for the Department of Highways. He would meet his future wife Betty of 43 years there. Doug would eventually become an electrician and work all over Saskatchewan including the Nipawin Dam and the Key Lake Mine. Once Doug became a father, he wanted to stay close to home. He took the opportunity to become an Electrical Instructor at SIAST. He loved teaching future electricians and was always proud of their accomplishments in the trade. He retired from SIAST in 2020.

Doug was a loving husband who would help in the kitchen, who could hold his own in a political discussion and, most importantly, make you laugh in the bleakest moments.  Doug and Betty loved to travel. Whether it was a road trip to BC or the US or a destination in Mexico, they enjoyed meeting new people and seeing new places. Their home in Candle Lake was where their happiest moments were. They felt joy in working in the garden or their home and were proud of last year’s kitchen renovations. They loved boating out to a beach on a beautiful summer day to share a conversation over a cocktail. They felt closest then.

Doug was a wonderful dad. He valued his relationship with his daughter, Megan. From teaching her to skate or drive to watching her walk across the stage at Convocation, his pride in Megan’s accomplishments was clear for all to see.  Besides enjoying their annual games of golf every summer with Megan and her best friend Jenna, he loved it when the two of them went on an evening boat ride on the lake. Doug was so proud of Megan. He valued her accomplishments and independence and took pleasure in sharing in their common interests like investing and golf.

Doug was also a caring son. He greatly respected his mother, Edna. He valued her intelligence and abilities. He would do anything to help her or protect her from hurt. Devoted brother and brother-in-law, he considered himself fortunate to have close relationships with his two brothers, Daryl and Larry. Daryl and Doug enjoyed many ski trips in the early years and later, Daryl organized many Cooper family trips where the entire family enjoyed time together in the sun. Doug was also so thankful for the care Daryl’s wife, Pam took of Daryl when he became ill.

Doug and his younger brother Larry were also very close. Larry would offer tax advice and Doug would replace a doorknob or fix a furnace or wire the sleep shacks and tease Denice about all the plugins and fancy chandeliers she needed in the bunkies at their vacation spot in Nobel’s Point. Doug enjoyed his in-laws too. He loved to golf with Connie (and tease her at every opportunity). He was so thankful for Connie and her partner John for looking after his girls during his hospital stay in Saskatoon. He also had a special relationship with Len. They would call each other for advice often. Whether Len needed to know the rules about an electrical installation or if Doug needed help with the water pump, each of them valued the other’s help. Doug loved Raelene’s holiday meals and so appreciated the special soups she dropped off. Doug was always supportive of his brother-in-law, Barry who needed extra help. Whether it was a walk with Barry at Christmas or helping him move to a different place, Doug was there.

Doug so enjoyed watching his nieces and nephews grow up. His first experience being an uncle was with Mitch. He loved taking him to his hockey practices or soccer games. Fishing with Mitch also brought great joy to Doug. He was also so honored to be a part of Mitch’s marriage to Summer last year.

He watched Daryl’s girls Calista and Mandy grow into beautiful, confident women and wonderful moms.   He enjoyed watching Larry’s kids grow up as well.  Jeff was always a bit of a grownup, even as a child. He even missed part of his own fourth birthday party to watch his uncle Doug work on a furnace at the house. Later, it would be Jeff helping uncle Doug put in the dock and lift at the lake. Doug watched Pat grow from an active youngster and a gifted athlete into a mature, loving dad. He watched Sarah grow from a little girl riding teacups at Disneyland to becoming a mother of a daughter of her own. He was so grateful for her help as a Pharmacist in understanding his chemo journey.

Lastly but not least, Doug was a friend to so many. Everywhere he went, he found someone to chat with. From neighbors to golf buddies and fellow workers, he had more friends than he could count. He always had time to chat or provide assistance to any friend in need. Greg and Rod were his high school buddies and remained his best friends until the end. They went on annual ski trips, golf trips and fishing trips for many years. These trips were often painstakingly planned by Doug and when it came time to flip for rooms, he would invariably get the worst one. His buddies teased him relentlessly about it, but the teasing went both ways and the laughter was endless.

There are no adequate words to express our sadness over the loss of our beloved Doug. We love you Doug and hope that wherever you are, you’re surrounded by friends and laughter. We’ll see you again one day.

Doug is survived by his wife, Betty Cooper (Lupichuk); his daughter, Megan Cooper; his mother, Edna Cooper (Nobel); his sister-in-law, Pam (Daryl) Cooper and their daughters, Calista (David) Le Page and Mandy (Chris) Sarrazin; his brother Larry (Denice) Cooper and their children, Jeff Cooper, Pat Cooper and Sarah (Ben) Barkway; his sister-in-law, Connie Lupichuk (John Odishaw) and her son Mitchell (Summer) Lupichuk; his brother-in-law, Leonard (Raelene) Lupichuk and their children, Jessica Wozniak, Nicolette Larson, Justin Lupichuk, Devin Lupichuk and Amanda Lupichuk; his brother-in-law Barry Lupichuk; his grand nephews and nieces, Levi Le Page, Noe Le Page, Paisley Sarrazin, Oliver Cooper, Quinn Cooper, Niall Cooper, Blake Barkway, Jaiden Larson Wojciechowski, Willow Wozniak, Hesper Wozniak, Makkah Khatib, Charlie Brandoline, and Penelope Brandoline.

Doug is predeceased by his father, Emmitt Cooper; his brother, Daryl Cooper; his mother-in-law, Sophie Lupichuk (Slonski); his father-in-law, Harry Lupichuk; and his sister-in-law, Judy Kendel (Lupichuk).

In lieu of other tributes donations in memory of Doug may be directed to https://saskcancer.ca/donate . A Celebration of Life for Doug will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Details will be provided in the future. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lorne Adams, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322

 

• Date : 2026-04-06
• Location : Prince Albert