A holiday turned to tragedy for a local family earlier this summer.
On July 14, Douglas Coppin, 35, died in a tragic tubing accident. At the time, Coppin and his wife and children were vacationing on Lake Temagami, where they had rented a cottage for a week-long getaway.
But things took a tragic twist, noted a GoFundMe account set up to help support the grieving family.
“The family was creating new memories and doing what they loved the most – being together, as a family,” wrote fundraiser organizer Wendy Martin.
“Lindsey and the family watched helplessly as Douglas took his last breath.”
The young couple moved to Sparrow Lake two years ago to start “their new journey together” with their three children: Liliana, 10, Lincoln, 3.5 and Levi, 2.
“Douglas and Lindsey were living their dream everyday – heading to work together, raising their family, tending to their home/property and exploring the land,” notes the fundraising page. “Douglas had truly found his happy place – he loved being with his family and completing home improvements on his own, even if it took a little longer,” Martin noted.
According to Martin, the couple were “soul mates, best friends, goal setters, and each other’s everything. They enjoyed doing everything together even if it was taking the garbage and recycling out – no matter the task, they enjoyed doing it, as long as they were together.”
The family has been rocked by this unexpected tragedy and are “going to need so much support over the next weeks, months and years to come.”
Money raised through the GoFundMe account will go toward funeral expenses, maintenance of the house and property and to establish a trust fund for the children.
“The funds will go towards the children’s activities and schooling. Also, the funds will go towards counselling for Lindsey and their children,” notes Martin.
“With your support, Lindsey will be able to continue to raise their beautiful children and strive to provide their family with the life that Douglas and herself has created,” noted Martin.
For more information or to donate to the fundraiser, click here.
A trust fund has also been established for Lindsey’s three children and her step-son, Ezra, 7 – CIBC Transit #01142 Account # 6009891
