INNISFAIL – The community will gather Friday to remember Dez Lorencz and show support for his family.
Following the sudden passing of Lorencz on April 2, friends, family and former colleagues came together to help his family in their time of need.
Together they created a committee for the Friends of Dez Lorencz Memorial Fundraiser. The event will take place at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion on April 27.
Doors open with cocktails at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. That will be followed by entertainment at 8 p.m. from Innisfail’s Cole Martin.
All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Lorencz family.
“Dez was such a huge supporter of the Innisfail community and various user groups. He was a big part of minor hockey, minor lacrosse, the Eagles, as well as a longtime employee of Fourlane Ford,” said Kari Flaws, committee member. “He left behind, at a young age, a wife and his only son.”
The evening will also feature both live and silent auctions, guest speakers and speeches.
The Innisfail Eagles are also showing their support and will honour Lorencz that night.
“We lost somebody pretty dear to our hearts,” said Ryan Dodd, general manager. “The team has come together and we’re doing a few things to raise some funds amongst our team,” he added, noting they will put together an Eagles package for the event.
“We will be donating (those funds) to Nikki and Danyon.”
Dodd said Lorencz touched the lives of many in the community, including many with the team.
Several Eagles alumni are expected to be in attendance.
“There’s a lot of guys that want to come back and be a part of this,” said Dodd.
Following the event at the legion, guests and members of the public are invited to attend an after-party at Boots and Barrels in Innisfail.
Flaws said she hopes to see many local residents come out and show their support on Friday, adding the people of Innisfail are already stepping up for the Lorencz family.
“I think the beautiful part of living in a small town is the fact that in times of need a community will rally together,” said Flaws. “Upon finding out (about Dez’s passing) there were a number of us that immediately responded and said we need to do something to help.
“I think that’s a really great part about being in a small town is there is that strong sense of community and connection, and that we’re all neighbours,” Flaws concluded.
In addition to the fundraiser, monetary donations are being accepted and can be made to the Dez Lorencz Memorial Fund at any ATB Branch -- Transit 832, account number 00238752279 or via e-transfer to the ATB account: [email protected]
Tickets for the Friends of Dez Lorencz Memorial Fundraiser are $30 and are available at Fourlane Ford Sales Ltd., Royal LePage and Boots and Barrels.
