“There isn’t a day goes by that we don’t think about him.”
It’s almost two years to the day that Richmond’s Mike Heath passed away from a rare heart condition known as inherited long QT syndrome.
But for his father, Tom, it seems like yesterday that he lost his 36-year-old son, which will make this Friday even more poignant when his family and friends host the inaugural Mike Heath Memorial Golf Tournament at Richmond’s Mylora Golf Course.
The event will honour talented hockey player, golfer and musician by raising funds for the Mike Heath Memorial Foundation, a registered charity which provides funds for the Inherited Arrythmia Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital, the Children’s Heart Clinic at BC Children’s Hospital and Canucks for Kids.
And it’s sure to be a memorable day for all concerned, not least his dad.
Event will be "comforting": Tom Heath
“The response has been pretty much overwhelming,” said Tom of the sold-out tournament and banquet.
“And it keeps Mike’s memory alive. He was taken from us too early at 36.
“This will be attended by all of his good friends from around here. It will be emotional I’m sure. But it’s also comforting in a way.”
All 88 golfing slots were sold out inside two weeks of the launch, said Tom, but people can still honour Mike by donating online to his foundation at https://www.vancouverfoundation.ca/mike-heath
“You sometimes don’t realize what you’ve lost until it’s gone,” added Tom.
“But when you see how people react and rally around, it really opens your eyes.
“I guess you just wish you would appreciate them a bit more at the time.”
Heath's college buddies hosted similar event
Tom said he and his family were inspired to host the event after Mike’s college buddies in Pittsburgh organised a similar tournament last year.
“We flew down there. They raised a ton of money for the hockey team and a kids’ charity,” he said.
“We thought, if we get 40 golfers, we will be doing well for the first year. But within two weeks of the email going out, it was full.”
Tom said they have more than 50 items for the silent auction, including a signed shirt from the Canucks, club seats to a game and Harbour Air has pitched in with round-trip flights to Victoria.
“Mike’s brother, Doug, has been a driving force and got the rest of the family going on it.”
