Hockey players honour teammate with memorial donation to County’s hospital

The Wellington Over 50 Hockey Group poses for a photo with Dennis McMaster’s longtime friend Brian Veenstra (Bulls jersey), his son Jamie (holding photo) while the team presented Briar Boyce, communications co-ordinator and Cline Pierson, a board member with the PECMHF with $1,200 in McMaster’s memory.

A local recreational hockey player was remembered by his teammates as they played the game he loved.

The Wellington Over 50 Hockey Group presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation with a $1,200 donation in memory of teammate Dennis McMaster at the Wellington Arena. Dennis, 61, died suddenly on Oct. 14. He was a long-time good friend and team player with the hockey group.

Dennis McMaster

Almost immediately after his passing, several teammates began to consider how to perpetuate his memory. The team thought it would be appropriate to memorialize their friend and team mate with a tribute listing on the hospital foundation’s donor wall screen that recognizes gifts of $1,000 or more.

“Dennis was a bright light everywhere he went,” said Brian Veenstra, a long-time friend who was on hand for the presentation. “He lit up a room. He loved his family and his friends. He had such a big presence in so many people’s lives. That’s what we’ll remember.”

The Foundation recognizes many individuals, corporations and community organizations who support ongoing fundraising efforts that fund priority medical equipment purchases at PECMH and help get closer to a new hospital in Prince Edward County.

“Last year our County Hospital staff managed over 40,000 visits. Thanks to our donors, including the Wellington Over 50 Hockey Group, our dedicated medical team continues to have access to the equipment and tools they need to be able to provide you and your loved ones with the care you need, close to home,” said Briar Boyce communications co-ordinator with the PECMH Foundation. “Community support is so important.”

“It would be hard to find someone more passionate about life than Dennis,” said Ron Aston, on behalf of the hockey group. “His unwavering integrity and unique sense of humor left a positive impact on everyone he interacted with.”

“Dennis will be remembered for his gregarious laugh, his love for his family, friends and community, and for his colorful stories,” Veenstra added. “Above all, Dennis was devoted to his family. Through his generosity and actions, he remained, to the end, extraordinarily committed to the happiness of his wife Bonnie and children, Carly and Jamie.”