The Kajaks Track and Field Club is co-hosting a celebration of life to remember the contributions of three coaches who recently passed away.
The memories of Jean Jacques "J.J." Schmidt, Moseley Jack and John Caruso will be front and centre at the “Remembering Legends” celebration on Sunday, June 19, from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the plaza outside the Minoru Centre for Active Living.
The club is organizing the “open house-style event” alongside the families of the former coaches, who collectively served the club for decades, passing on their wisdom to athletes of all ages.
“They touched so many people’s lives, so we are thinking there may be quite a few people wanting to come share those memories and stories,” said the Kajaks’ Lane Man.
“The families have been planning (the celebration) for a while, but there have been all the COVID restrictions so they had to wait.
“They’ve been so involved with the club over the years, for many decades, over all ages and have been so supportive of all the athletes.”
Man added that, just walking around the community, if you mention the coaches’ names, people will have all kinds of positive stories and anecdotes to share.
“Everyone has their own recollection from when they were younger,” she said.
Fittingly, on the same day as the celebration, Kajaks will be hosting meet at Minoru Track next door in honour of Jack.
The celebration, said Man, is open to everyone and there will be tents outside and a book inside for people to sign.
