Obituary of Errol Windsand Cochrane

With great sadness, Sheila and Caitie share the loss of their beloved Sweet Wrodie and Daddo, Errol Cochrane, aged 77. Teller of stories, singer of songs, observer of human nature, and lover of the natural world, Errol was a good, gracious, and gentle man who appreciated the good fortune that came his way and accepted life’s challenges with grace and dignity.

Errol’s young life was nomadic and his family resided in Arizona, New Mexico, Michigan, Florida, Virginia, and California during his childhood. Early years living in Saudi Arabia, Libya and Eritrea were peak experiences that helped him grow and appreciate the world and its people. When Errol came to Canada, he found a home, a vocation, and community of friends that have endured for fifty years. Errol’s career centred around child and youth mental health and he was a gifted and intuitive worker, counselor, mentor, supervisor, and advocate. He was a firm believer in the restorative power of nature and led and participated in canoe trips and both summer and winter camping – activities that challenged everyone but allowed the development of resilience, growth, and self-awareness – of all participants. He did much good. During his time at Vanier, Homestead, and Community Homes/WAYS, staunch and long-lasting friendships developed around shared interests in music, basketball, the Wort, and work.

Errol was fortunate to have been raised in a loving family and his devotion to and love for his family was deep and abiding.  Errol, Caitie, and Sheila were a close-knit trio, and camping trips across Canada and Virginia, Arizona, and later Oklahoma to see family were yearly events. Errol retrofitted vans to include a captain’s chair for Cait and a bed in the back. Trips to Greece when Caitie was a toddler and more recently to Nepal were highlights for us all and he was also able to visit China, Mexico, Qatar, and Vietnam. Predeceased by ‘the folks’, Reuel and Ezell, and older brother, Reuel II, Errol is survived by spouse, Sheila, daughter, Caitie, and brother, Joe.  Extended family and friends in in all parts of Canada and the States mourn Errol’s passing and give thanks for his life and influence.

Parkinson’s Disease in all its forms radically altered the course of Errol’s life but did not quell his loving and gentle nature. Sheila and Caitie are forever grateful to all those who loved, cared for, visited, and supported Errol in recent years and who were able to see and appreciate his essence, his sense of humour, and his sweet soul. We honour his caregivers and the difficult work they do. We especially thank the care team in the Lambeth neighbourhood at Glendale Crossing for their compassion and dear friend Blanca Segovia, who helped keep him at home as long as he was able. Words cannot express our gratitude.

Details of a celebration of life will be forthcoming, but in the meantime, Sheila and Caitie ask, if you are so inclined to remember Errol, that you appreciate each other as unique individuals, stare in awe at a starry sky, or laugh at yourself if you forget the lyrics. Ma'a salama.