Loved ones remember former Windsor firefighter, college basketball star who died over the weekend

Friends and family members of a former Windsor firefighter and college basketball star, who died over the long weekend at the age of 64,say they'll remember him as a positive, larger-than-life personality who greeted adversity with acceptance.

George Copeland died of complications related to a spinal cordinjury he sustained in 2007, when the fire truck he was driving flipped on its side near the approach to the Ambassador Bridge, his older brother said.

Copeland was both strong-willed and inspirational, Conroy Copeland told CBC.

"I will always remember him as that strong fighter throughout his injury and for the things that we did together prior to his injury," Conroy said.

"He was an incredible person. That is for sure."

Star college basketball player

Copeland was inducted into the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA)Hall of Fame in 2015 in recognition of his three seasons with St. Clair College from 1981 to '84.

He scored 1,676 career points, was voted an OCAA all-star three times and was named the St. Clair team MVP in his final two seasons, according to St. Clair's website.

He averaged 18.5 points per game in the 1983-84 season, was named student athlete of the year at St. Clair College and was inducted into St. Clair's Hall of Fame after graduation.

He joined the fire department in the early 1990s, according to Steve LaForet, the fire chief for the City of Windsor.

He had an infectious personality and was always in a good mood, LaForetsaid.

'He lit up a room'

"I don't think there's anybody that worked with George that didn't like working with George," hesaid.

"He lit up a room."

Michael Stroud, a captain with Windsor Fire and Rescue who was a member of the honour guard with Copeland, said he had a big, boisterous laugh and was always teasing the new recruits.

"He always wanted the new guy to have his tea and toast ready," Stroud said.

"But, you know, in a fun loving way."

Stroud recalled the March 2007 day of Copeland's accident as "a weird day" when the weather fluctuated from sunny to snowy.

"They hit some ice, and it was a real fluke, freak accident," he said.

Copeland suffered a spinal cord injury and required the use of a wheelchair afterwards.

'He was a fighter'

He told CBC in 2015 that it was an adjustment, but he had accepted the changes the accidenthad brought to his life.

"My motto is, 'Live the day' because, like I said, you don't know what's going to happen tomorrow,'" he said in that interview.

Stroud recalled Copeland "was just so upbeat" in the aftermath of the accident.

"He was a fighter. He fought through it. He was always happy. He was always smiling. I don't know how he did it," he said.

Conroy said he'll remember his brother as a person who was always there for him whenever he needed help.

"I miss him already every day," he said.

"He was a wonderful individual, and he was a pillar in the community for sure."