Jeff Yungblut would have been 47 today if he hadn’t died suddenly in Markham in 2013 while at a hockey tournament with his son, Cole.
“His birthday was last week,” said Jennifer Leriger, Yungblut’s sister.
“We still make his favourite cake and celebrate.”
In addition to being a dearly loved son, husband, father, brother, friend, cousin, nephew, coach, volunteer firefighter, farmer, contractor, and teammate, Jeff was a role model, who loved the game of hockey.
The Yungblut family is large, and Kory Yungblut—one of his many cousins—came up with another way to keep Jeff’s memory alive.
They play hockey.
Spanning several generations and different types of divisions, this year’s 4th annual Jeff Yungblut Memorial Tournament begins Thursday, March 21 and runs to Sunday, March 24.
At last year’s tournament, Jeff’s mother Nancy shared the tragic story of his death at age 41 with ThoroldNews.
“The last conversation he had was that they had a good game,” she said, in a phone call between Jeff in Markham and his father, Jim.
“Kory came to us and said, ‘I’d like to have a tournament in Jeff’s memory’,” explained Nancy. “Jeff mentored him. They were friends as well as cousins. The first year had six teams and our goal was to pay it forward and set up some educational bursaries to graduating students.”
Since Jeff grew up on a farm, had his own construction company, was a volunteer firefighter for 10 years, and involved in sports management, bursaries have been given to students having similar goals and interests to Jeff, funded by proceeds from the annual tournament.
“The second year, we had nine teams,” said Nancy, and in June, 2017, the Yungbluts presented two bursaries of $1,000 each to graduating female students from Thorold Secondary School pursuing further education—one in the Paramedic program and one in the Fitness and Health program.
“Last year,” added Leriger, “we gave two bursaries of $1,000 each to Thorold Secondary School students and two of $500 each to Denis Morris students. Last year, the students that won the bursaries from D.M. were both Thorold boys that Jeff had coached,” though no one knew that until the students told them.
Partial proceeds from last year’s tournament also went to help Adam Egerter, another cousin, who is now nine years old and recovering from aggressive treatment for Stage 4 brain cancer.
Adam’s father, Jeramy, was very close to Jeff as well, Nancy added, so all the proceeds from last year’s penny sale went to help Adam through his illness
“Jeramy Egerter is a big supporter of the tournament and will plan a surprise food booth for the kids this year,” noted Leriger. And this year, Adam will be assisting.
Graduates will be awarded again, in the same amounts, helping students from both local high schools with financial aid.
According to Leriger, “My dad is such a female sports supporter, and so was Jeff. They both lived in Thorold their entire lives, and love giving back to Thorold.”
The 2019 tournament will include a Fire and EMS division, a ladies’ division, two men’s open divisions, an under age 19 division, and new this year, an age 35+ division.
Also new this year, a parent/child game will be held on the Saturday, giving families a chance to play together. A free skate will also allow non-hockey players to take a turn on the ice.
“The city has been amazing this year,” said Leriger. "Staff cleared the entire weekend so we don’t have to juggle around different teams.”
“Even if you don’t play, we have a licensed bar there now. I always say, come have a drink, tell Mom and Dad a story about Jeff and keep his memory alive.”
A total of 22 hockey teams participated at the Thorold Arena last year, and Leriger said they’re “hoping to get 25 this year. There are still a few spots left.”
Players can register for the tournament, as well as follow event times and updates on Facebook.
