Remembering a “true leader”
By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express
The Oshawa Curling Club was filled with smiles and laughter as friends and relatives came together to remember an old friend.
The club played host to the third-annual Reece Robertson Memorial Curling tournament in honour of the former military sniper.
Robertson served in the Canadian military, spending time in Edmonton as a sniper with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry and toured Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010. He died in 2013 at the age of 30 following a battle with an infection in the lining of his heart.
“He was very proud of what he did and lived life like crazy,” says his mother, Rosie. “When it came to the military though, it was by the book; a true leader.”
Family and friends of Reece Robertson, who passed away in 2013, gathered at the Oshawa Curling Club on Nov. 14 to raise money for Wounded Warriors. Those in attendance included, from left to right: Lois Wong, Meaghan Koumaris, Robert Cowman and Scott Goddard.
Now, his friends and family gather every year for the annual curling tournament to help raise money for Wounded Warriors, a charity that provides support and services for those injured in combat and their families, as well as assisting them reintegrate into civilian life.
“Friends, family, extended family, anyone who wants to get involved, lots of people support the organization and come out,” said Jody Chartier, one of the organizers of the event and Reece’s high school prom date.
Over the past two years, the event has raised $10,000 for the charity.
The event also sees willing support from community organizations and businesses which donate funds and raffle prizes for the event.
Rosie says her son would be proud to know that his friends and family are still gathering every year and for a sporting tournament no less.
“He would love it. He was very very competitive. He would, I’m sure, be very, very proud that we all still hang out and get together every year and do this,” she said.