INNISFAIL – The community was devastated last week by the sudden passing of Dez Lorencz, a former longtime resident and passionate volunteer.
Lorencz, 45, passed away on April 2.
A family member said the cause of death is unknown at the time, pending an autopsy.
Lorencz and his family lived in Innisfail for 18 years. During that time, he worked at Fourlane Ford Sales, was general manager of the Innisfail Eagles and a longtime volunteer with minor lacrosse and minor hockey.
“Dez was a big part of our community and business for a long time,” said Jeff Denham, owner of Fourlane Ford Sales in Innisfail. “He was like a brother to me.”
Lorencz worked hard and became sales manager, noted Denham.
“He was respected and cared for by all of his co-workers and he was an integral part of our business for 17 years.
“He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go to Nikki and Danyon right now.”
Denham noted how Lorencz served the people of Innisfail in several ways.
“He was a dedicated servant to people and to the community. He was very passionate about the Innisfail community,” said Denham.
“He was always willing to put other people first. He was very dedicated and passionate about (first and foremost) his family, his son and his wife, our business, minor hockey, minor lacrosse and the Eagles.”
Lorencz and his family moved to Kelowna, B.C. in the spring of 2016, to pursue schooling and hockey opportunities for his son.
When he left Ryan Dodd took over his position as the Eagles' general manager.
“We spent many late nights in the dressing room or on the (team) bus together and on road trips,” said Dodd, noting Lorencz’s several years with the team and the impact he had on players, the team and the community.
“He meant a lot to people. Every time he talked with you, he left a good, lasting impression,” said Dodd. “He was somebody you wanted to model yourself after.
“He was one of those guys that put in tireless hours for everybody else,” he added. “He was a good man.”
Dodd said the Eagles plan to honour the memory of Lorencz and commemorate his time with the team in a special ceremony at the start of next season.
A fundraiser through a crowdfunding website, www.youcaring.com, has been created to help raise money for the Lorencz family. So far, just over $2,000 has been raised.
A local fundraiser here in Innisfail is also in the works, with a tentative date of April 27.
There will be two Celebration of Life services. One at the Springfield Funeral Home in Kelowna on Wednesday, April 11 at 1 p.m. and another service in Innisfail with a date to be announced.
