The Denis Desjardins Memorial Golf Tournament was established in 2023 by Riley, Nolan, and Anne-Marie Desjardins to honour the life and memory of Denis Desjardins, who passed away suddenly from a heart attack in 2022.
What began as a gathering of family and friends to celebrate his life has grown into an annual tradition that brings people together, creates lasting memories, and raises funds for causes close to our hearts.
Since its inception, the tournament has raised more than $15,000 for charitable causes, with proceeds previously supporting the Heart and Stroke Foundation. As the tournament continues to grow, so does our desire to make a meaningful difference closer to home.
In the years following Denis's passing, our family has grown in ways we never could have imagined. His wife, Anne-Marie, found love again with Dave Smits. Along with Dave came his children, Sara and Steven, and their families: Derrick, Clark and Grant, and Taylor, Leo and Miles. Together, they have become an incredibly important part of our lives.
Like us, Dave and his family know the pain of losing someone they love. Dave's late wife, Lynda, passed away after receiving care at Nipissing Serenity Hospice.
Though our families came together after experiencing profound loss, we have since built new relationships, created shared memories, and found more reasons to celebrate life together. Through this connection, the Nipissing Serenity Hospice has come to hold a special place in our family's story.
For our 2027 tournament, we are proud to support Nipissing Serenity Hospice as our charitable beneficiary. This decision represents more than an opportunity to raise funds for a local organization. It is a chance to give back to a place that cared for someone dear to our family and to support the important work they do in providing comfort, dignity and compassionate end-of-life care to individuals and families in our community.
At its heart, the Denis Desjardins Memorial Golf Tournament will always be about honouring and celebrating Denis and the memories we share. As our family grows and our story continues, so does our commitment to turning love and remembrance into something positive for the community.
What began as a tribute to one life has grown into a celebration of family, connection and the difference we can make together in honour of those we've lost.