Caring giant of Silverfields laid to rest

His wife sometimes called him Tomcat, because he had survived so many accidents.

In the eulogy of Thomas Cope’s, 67, funeral service,  his wife Kathy said despite her husband having escaped death so many times, his nine lives had unfortunately ran out during his last ordeal with criminals.

The atmosphere outside the Krugersdorp Methodist Church on Friday, 27 March was dreary as Thomas’ two sons Mikael and Kristopher, as well as their mother battled to hold back their tears.

The casket with the body of their father and husband was standing in Burger Street as they waited for their sister Chantelle, who was running a bit late, to arrive.

Family and friends greeted the Cope family with hugs and gentle smiles before they went into a fully packed church.

This is the final reminder, the closing of a chapter following the trauma they had been through since seven armed men stormed into their home in Silverfields just before 10pm on Monday 16 March.

In a previous interview Mikael told the News how the armed men, who gained entry trough their kitchen window and front door, had hit his dad with a crowbar over the head as he was trying to fight them off.

He soon realised that he was bound to lose this fight after he was also hit with a gun over the head, causing him to bleed profusely.

After the robbers took what they wanted and left with two vehicles and most of their household goods were they able to attend to an injured Thomas, who passed away hours later in hospital.

Craig Hunter, cousin and pallbearer, said during his eulogy that one always start to reflect on a person’s life after a person had passed.

“You find memories that remain and remember all the good memories that is left behind.”

As an 8-year-old, the impression that he had painted of his cousin was that Thomas was a caring giant, a man with huge hands.

“He was a really big guy with huge hands; a big fella with a big heart – that was the impression that I got from him and a great impression it was for such a young boy.”

He spoke about a young Thomas whose love for motorcycling could not be doused despite doctors telling him he won’t be able to ride any motorcycles since an accident resulted in some major head injuries.

“As stubborn as he was, he wanted to prove to doctors that he can continue doing so,” Hunter said.

“This resulted in a number of accidents, but he survived them all. He also had various operations due to the accidents and despite all the complications caused by this he pushed through all of it.”

He jokingly said another accident was when he was 32 years old.

“This was when he met his wife. The outcome of this was that in the 35 years and a half of their marriage they had three children.”

Hunter said he leaves behind a legacy of family and great friends.

“The best part of a man’s life is the little nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love that is being left behind.”

Chantelle thanked everyone who assisted them in their unpleasant circumstances.

“The love that we got from you all encouraged us to stay strong and continue in carrying his legacy. We thank everyone for your love and support, messages, visits and calls.”

Reverend Chris Botha conducted the service and read Psalm 37 which focused on how David struggled with the pain of violence and what it did to people around him and to them as a family.

Thomas was laid to rest in the Sterkfontein Cemetery.