INNISFAIL – The community rallied on April 27 to support one of its own.
More than $10,000 was raised during the Friends of Dez Lorencz Memorial Fundraiser at the Royal Canadian Legion last Friday.
“We’re here to celebrate, have a laugh and share a few stories about Dez. That’s what the evening is about,” said Tracey Kinsella, committee member and co-host of the event. “The whole organizing committee is so happy with how many people came tonight. It goes to show just what a community supporter Dez was and how many people are here to support Nikki and Danyon.”
The evening included a dinner, speeches, silent and live auctions and entertainment by Innisfail’s Cole Martin.
Live auction items included donations from the Edmonton Oilers, Ford Canada and the Red Deer Rebels. Silent auction items included several unique donations, some from Lorencz’s own collection.
“We have some really cool sports memorabilia here that is actually from Dez’s collection. Dez was an avid hockey fan and a big sports collector,” said Kinsella.
The sold-out event welcomed more than 200 guests, including former colleagues and friends, some of whom served with Lorencz in minor lacrosse, minor hockey and with the Innisfail Eagles.
Randy Graham, former president of the Innisfail Eagles, was one of them.
“Dez did a lot for the community and volunteered with a lot of things. I had a chance to work with him on the Eagles board,” said Graham, noting one of many fond memories he shared with Lorencz.
“The year that we won the AA provincials in Innisfail (2013), Dez was (the Eagles') general manager at the time,” he added. “When we won, Dez was like one of the players. He celebrated as good as anybody did.
“It was very rewarding for Dez and everybody else to bring a championship to Innisfail.”
Corey Tibble, another Eagles alumnus, also shared some recollections.
“Dez was a salt of the earth kind of guy. He always had a smile on his face and always had time for you,” said Tibble. “He was fun to be around.”
Lorencz’s wife Nikki and their son Danyon are planning to move back to Innisfail by the end of May, noted Kinsella.
“Dez was such a big part of this community,” Kinsella concluded.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Dez Lorencz at the legion on June 2 at 1 p.m.
