Simon Klaver Golf Tournament
On June 23rd, 2007, Carole Klaver and her family held the first Annual Simon Klaver Golf Tournament in memory of her husband. Simon Klaver was blessed with an incredible sense of humour and a love for adventure and freedom. As a professional truck driver, he traveled around Canada and the United States. In his spare time, he loved to have the occasional round of golf, but mostly he loved to experience the excitement of the road on his 1500 green Goldwing motorcycle.
Riding was a big part of Simon’s life. He had originally purchased the motorcycle to give him and his wife, Carole, a hobby to do together, and they kept it in showroom condition. He showered his bike with attention and assisted in educating a 120 member riding club on motorcycle safety. After his diagnosis, although he was unable to ride his motorcycle, Simon still maintained and cleaned his bike since he felt it was very important for the equipment to be safe and ready to ride.
During June and July of 2006, Simon’s tumour grew from the size of a toonie to the size of a fist and changed to a glioblastoma. Surrounded by his wife, Carole, his son, Dan, his nine siblings and other members of his family, Simon passed away on August 2nd, 2006.
Simon faced his fate with glioblastoma as he did everything else in his life: with bravery, courage, passion and humility. He made sure that Carole and his family were going to be fine with his decision not to have any treatment, and then told them personally so to as not burden Carole with that responsibility. He was the kind of man not to leave unfinished business.
As Carole Klaver explains: “It was with the knowledge of Dr. Andrew G. Parrent and his team at University Hospital in London, our own personal physician, Dr. Gary W. Perkin in Strathroy, and both of our loving families that helped us through our last days together. I know that it was and is Simon’s only hope that no one else should travel the same road as he did.”
Simon Klaver’s legacy of humour and love for his family, however, lives on. The Klaver family decided to celebrate his joy of life by starting the Annual Simon Klaver Golf Tournament. Through donations, sponsors, a silent auction, and participant entry fees, Carole Klaver, friends and family helped to raise over $9,000 for brain tumour research. By holding an enjoyable event with close family and friends, Simon’s memory will bring hope to other people suffering from this devastating disease and to continue to inspire dreams of adventure.
“The golf tournament was the way for our families to contribute to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada,” adds Carole. “It was a great day for a great man.”
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À 2003 Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada 1.800.265.5106
Charitable Registration #BN118816339RR0001 |