OURTEAM
INMEMORIAM
Honour someone special by making a
donation or hosting a fundraiser in their memory.
When you make a memorial donation for a loved one or friend,
Their Opportunity will support children into their choice sport or recreation
on your behalf to the family acknowledging your thoughtful gift.
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By choosing to celebrate the life of a loved one through a memorial
donation or fundraiser, you inspire and enable Their Opportunity to positively
impact the lives of children and families.
Det. Const. Bruno Gendron spent 17 years as a paramedic before becoming a police officer, was the man who oversaw the campaign to equip and train Ottawa police with the life-saving devices. He even testified before a parliamentary committee about their effectiveness.
Cruelly, there was nothing that could save Gendron when the married father of two collapsed of a cardiac event of his own while mountain biking in Larose Forest near Casselman. He was 47.
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“He was a big champion of defibrillators,” said friend Danny Cyr, who worked with Gendron as a paramedic and also made the jump to Ottawa police. “He was the go-to person for that. He was very passionate about it, clearly because he’d spent so much time as a paramedic.”
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Bruno was a dedicated volunteer of the Eastern Ontario Cobras for many years. He worked endless hours ensuring every single Cobras player received the best possible development and hockey experience possible. He was always a joy to be around as you can all attest to. Most importantly he was a tremendous person and was a great friend to many of us and will truly be missed. We extend our condolences to Nadine, Ivana, Maël and the rest of the family. He was an advocate for youth sport.
Bruno Gendron
Matthew Fawcett
If you were lucky enough to have had Matt in your life, no matter how long or short of a duration then you know that you were....simply put, in the presence of a true one of one.
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His smile could light up a room and his laugh is something that can never be forgotten. His love for family and friends was undeniable and his passion for sport and his team mates was inspiring. Those that found themselves in one, two, maybe all of these groups will surely never forget the impact that Matt has had on their lives.
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For all that he was to all of these people I would be remiss to not talk about another huge part of Matt's life. If you ever had the pleasure to see him around the children of family and friends then you already know first hand. There is no denying how much he loved and cared for all the kids that were fortunate enough to spend time with him. Uncle Matt to many more than just immediate family speaks to the character of who we all came to know and love. A beautiful soul that no one will soon forget. We miss Matt.
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In October 2016, Joseph Stanley Clark Fancey (Joey) was abruptly taken from the world in a workplace construction accident. Joey, 32 at the time, left behind his wife Jaymie and two sons Abel and Oliver. Joey was an amazing husband, father, teammate, brother, uncle, cousin, son, nephew and overall great man.
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In celebration of Joey’s life and his love for hockey, friends and family created the Joey Fancey Memorial Tournament, now in its second year (2018). Joey inspired everyone around him to be a better person. His passion, aside from the family he loved so much, was hockey.
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Joey's family and the JFMT committee has selected Their Opportunity as the tournament charity of choice. We look forward to contributing funding from the tournament to directly help families in need with the goal of helping as many as possible feel the life changing power of sport!
Joseph Stanley Clark Fancey
Jeremy "Herb" Smith
Each August for the past 10 years Their Opportunity has been honored to be chosen as the charity of choice for the Jeremy Smith Memorial tournament. Jeremy’s family and tournament organizers chose Their Opportunity as smith-pic-1-png-2they felt we best reflect the kind of person Jeremy was.
Jeremy was heavily involved in sports and the community, making a lasting impact on the lives of many people. The tournament is a great success because Jeremy was loved by so many people. Being able to provide children the opportunity to play sport and also pass on the power of giving is a gift Jeremy would be happy to give!
Their Opportunity thanks the Smith family for choosing us as the charity of choice, it is truly an honour to see the community spirit that is present, all thanks to an amazing human being, Jeremy Smith.
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Matthew Jack Scott Peebles was born on June 29, 1990. The middle child in a family of six, he was always known for his big smile. He was one of those guys that everybody knew. He was in his final year at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, and was one of the smartest and most inspirational people that I know. While out at Saint Mary’s, Matthew picked up the age old past-time of bowling. He may not have been the best bowler in the league, but he sure did make every night a great one. As I looked back on past memories, It didn’t matter where you were or what you were doing, Matthew was there making it a memorable moment.
One thing I know for sure is that he was an exceptional human being with a heart of gold, and a sense of humor that could brighten even the darkest of days. He touched the lives of everyone he met, and will be missed by all. I hope in celebrating his life, we can all look back on a life cut too short, but lived to the absolute fullest. I think Matthew would want us all to remember that every moment is one to be caught – not passed up.
In quoting Mark Twain “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Rest in Peace Matthew, you truly were a legend.
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Matthew Peebles
Kind, committed, generous, inspiring leader … They are just a few words that people commonly use to describe Denis. He loved to build, whether it was managing the development of staple buildings or cultivating strong communities by investing into community programs and organizations; Denis was a true embodiment of a community leader!
As a founding member of Companies Who Care, Denis channeled his passion and found a way to rally others and make a difference for so many people throughout the Region.
Denis O’Connell
Roy, Krissy & Vana Pejcinovski
In loving memory of Krissy, Roy, and Vana; we remember three remarkable souls who lived their lives by the unwavering principle of kindness and helping others.
The Pejcinovski Family Memorial stands as a testament to their spirit of generosity, ensuring that their legacy endures. Krissy, with her warm heart and radiant smile, shared boundless love with her children. Roy, the devoted athlete and beloved friend, charmed us all with his caring nature and sense of humor, especially through his passion for the Don Mills Flyers. Vana, athlete in her own right a beacon of joy and life, had the incredible ability to light up any room she entered.
They touched countless hearts and will forever be cherished in our memories.
Denis O'Connell
Eleanor MacQuarrie
Who was Eleanor MacQuarrie?
Eleanor will be remembered for her down to earth and friendly approach, her strong values, her can-do attitude, her deep commitment to community...and her never faltering sense of joy!
Born in Summerside, PEI on August 9, 1928, Eleanor grew up on a farm in Kelvin Grove, PEI and always remained grounded by its red soil. One of her fondest memories from her youth was skating with her brother to waltzes and other music played over a speaker at the outdoor rink. How those skates could make her fly!
Eleanor wore many hats. A teacher in Prince Edward Island, community builder in two communities (Blackburn Hamlet and Cardinal Heights, both now part of Ottawa) and a volunteer organizer and canvasser with the Canadian Cancer Society for over 40 years. On top of that she was a loving partner (and chauffeur) to her husband, amazing mother to five busy kids (only six years separated oldest to youngest) and an active and nurturing grandmother of 10. She loved life and all its many wonders. She made friends across the generations and she kept them throughout her lifetime.
Eleanor was always keen to volunteer to help organize and support – to give back to her community. Many of her contributions are still thriving such as the Blackburn Fun Fair running annually since 1971 and the Gloucester Cumberland Ringette Association in operation since 1970. She always encouraged and supported her children, grandchildren as well as many neighbourhood kids to get involved in school & community sports and other activities.
She is a member of the Ontario Ringette Association Hall of Fame. She was a ringette pioneer and builder in Gloucester/Ottawa and eastern Ontario and an enthusiastic ringette player well into her seventies. Although she thought ringette was the greatest sport, as a devoted sports fan, there was no mistaking that Alfie (Daniel Alfredsson), number 11, former captain of the Ottawa Senators held a special spot in her heart!
Eleanor hung up her skates for the final time on December 17, 2015.