We Remember
COWEN, Wyndham “Toppy”
September 19, 1935 — April 9, 2014
It is with regret we announce the passing of W. A. “Toppy” Cowen, beloved husband of Saundra.
He leaves behind his son Ricky Cowen (Kathy Cowen) and daughters Heather Henderson (Chris Henderson) and Heidi Cowen, brothers and sister and grandchildren.
Toppy, the son of a Lighthouse Keeper, born in Bermuda on September 19, 1935. He devoted his life as a major hotelier in Bermuda and was always a strong figure towards a better Bermuda.
He moved to Kelowna in 2009 and fell in love with its grandeur. Following the love of his daughter Heather’s dream for a therapeutic farm, Toppy became a major benefactor of Arion Farm located 2457 Saucier Rd, Kelowna.
The love of two countries has carried Toppy from a Lighthouse to great mountains.
We invite friends to share the celebration of his life Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 2 pm – 5 pm at Gallagher’s Clubhouse, 4320 W Gallaghers Dr.
Colours are welcome. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Arion Farm. www.arionfarm.org
Arion Farm: Tel- 778 477 1006
Gallagher’s – Tel – 250 861 4290
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 2pm-5pm
Location
Gallagher's Clubhouse
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Service Information
Service Details
The service for COWEN, Wyndham “Toppy” is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 2pm-5pm. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Dear Saundra, Heather and family…
We are saddened by the loss of a wonderful kind & generous friend. Feel so blessed that we got to know him through his brother Ted in AZ during out winter’s stay a few years back.Our prayers have been with you and we will continue to pray for God’s love and peace during this time and in the days to come. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us and we claim this promise for you.
Love & prayers….Jake & Adena
Good evening Jake & Adena. I thought I had sent you an email ~ you both have brought such joy to everyone at Arion Farm and always included Toppy and I. Thank you for attending our Celebration of Life and we shall keep in touch! Love, Saundra and family
Saundra/Heather and Family
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time. We are always enjoyed visiting and working along side of Toppy at functions at Arion.
Martin and Linda
Heather, Saundra and family,
Toppy was a very kind man. Please let your tears fall upon wonderful memories of a wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Kind regards,
Cathy Parmenter and family
Dearest Saundra, Heather and Family,
I was so saddened to hear of Toppy’s passing. I remember his endless energy, and countless hours and commitment he spent on the farm-even when I told him to rest his back! I was so very fond of him, he was a tough and wonderful man. I am thinking of you all in this difficult time. Sincerely, Kim Spencer
Heather
I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Knowing it is coming doesn’t make it any easier.
The sanctuary that you and your father have created at Arion is amazing and will be a testament to his kind heart and acceptance of others who are “different not less”
Please know that my thoughts are with you.
Heather and Sabri
Thank you Heather and Sabri. We have been so impressed by your son’s newly found friendship and confidence. The Arion Farm is a magical and healing place surrounded by the hills and orchards. It has been an honour to be part of their programmes and Toppy always thrilled to see the benefits for himself and share these stories with others! Sincerly, Saundra
My sympathies to your entire family as you celebrate a life well lived. May your memories sustain you.
Marina Wells-Smith, Kelowna (formerly of Bermuda)
Good evening! Thank you for your condolences ~ later next month perhaps we can discuss when you used to live in Bermuda. Sincerely, Saundra wacowen@telus.net
Dear Saundra, We want you to know our thoughts have been with you in recent weeks & especially now with the parting of Wyndham. I might add B.J.[our little Bichon Frise ]is still missing your little dog [& his #1 girlfriend]. Each day as we walk by your former home he stops & checks,hoping she’ll dart out in her usual vigorous fashion to greet him.
Good evening Merv & Vivian. We thank you for your friendship and support, although short each time ~ the small dogs were always happy to see one another and certainly keen to return home!! Sincerely, Saundra
Saundra, Heather & Family – We are so sorry for your loss. Arion Farm, and all the wonderful people there, have been so instrumental in helping Bobby get on the right track in his life and for that we are forever thankful for it being there. Our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. God bless….
Dear Marie, Bob and Bobby. We thank you for your prayers and friendship. Your family has inspired us in more ways than you can imagine. Your journey is a difficult one and we know you will achieve the best outcome for your beloved son. Fondly, Saundra
Saundra, Heather& Family…we are so sorry your loss. Arion Farm has been a “saviour” for Bobby and we thank God every day for it being there. Our thoughts are with you during this very difficult time..
Dear Saundra – I was so sad to hear of Toppy’s passing. I will always have fond memories of him, both of working with him at MOC and of Steve and me socialising with the two of you.
Dear Christine. Thank you for sending your memory of the four of us. We will be back for the Hamilton Cathedral Celebration of Toppy’s Life. Will you see you? Love, Saundie and family
Heather and family. So sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you.
Thank you
Saundra & Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Toppy’s passing. Our hearts & thoughts are with you at this sad time.
May you all find strength in the happy memories you’ve shared.
With our sincere sympathy,
Bob & Julia Hepburn
Dear Julia and Bob. Thank you for coming to the Gallagher’s Celebration. It meant a lot to share our stories with our neighbours. Sincerely, Saundra and family
We are so saddened to hear of Toppy’s passing… please accept our heartfelt condolences. What a lovely neighbour he was to chat with and we know he will be missed by many.
Good evening Dave and Suzan, thank you for your memories ~ our family is heartbroken and these do help! Sincerely, Saundra and family
Dearest Saundra,
I was so saddened to hear of Toppy’s passing. Although I did not know him well,I felt as if we had known each other at another time. He was a wonderful man and I know I speak for everyone from the “deli”, that he will be missed. My thought and prayers go out to you and your family at this very difficult time.
Dear Dorothy. Your friendship meant a lot to Toppy and I, and he certainly put his best foot forward toward the last, to see you and the others and to eat those very tasty sandwiches, “Made with Love”. Fondly, Saundra
Dear Saundy & Heather,
We were saddened to hear that Toppy had died. We have fond memories of him in Bermuda. Our thoughts are with you all.
Dear Eileen and Andy. Thank you for sending your memories ~ our extended family means so much to us, and to Toppy when we were able to travel and visit. Let us know if you come to Kelowna? Love, Saundie and the family
Dear Sandra and family
It was an honour to meet and help care for your sweet husband and father. May his name only ever be remembered as a blessing.
Dear Saundra,
We were very sad to hear this news. Our hearts and thoughts are with you and your family. Our memories of you and Toppy and Bermuda are all tied together. Please accept our condolences.
Love from Anna and Frank
Just recently heard of Toppy’s passing….had been very involved in Bermuda Tourism when I was in New England..(retired now in Florida…altho’ beautiful, it’s not Bermuda!!) Toppy was my “go to”
person for all things Bermudian”. He was always so kind to my husband and I when we were in Bermuda on business.
Will always remmber the gorgeous Pink Beach…Warm regards, Ann Erickson SeasideDuchess@aol.com
it was with deep regret and shock that I read of Toppys death just this week on the Internet. I had been thinking of you during the middle of the night, and came to search your names. I am in the process of writing to you now, but remembering you all now and fond memories of our time together. Esme , Naomi & Bernard x