PARRY SOUND — They cast their lines into Georgian Bay with the late Dr. Rob Stevens on their minds.

On Saturday, July 14, 2018 - 95 anglers took to the Big Sound in the inaugural Doc. Rob Bass Classic in support of mental health initiatives in Parry Sound.“I am happy to say that my ($5,000 fundraising) goal has been met with an anonymous donation of $5,000,” wrote Rob’s wife, Terry-Lynn Stevens.

“The money raised in (the) Doc. Rob Bass Classic will be used to support the training of 100 youth organization volunteers, such as sport coaches, guide leaders, karate instructors, youth group leaders, etc. in SafeTALK. SafeTALK is a half-day alertness training that prepares you, regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert (helper).”

Family friends Roxanne and Ray Priaulx spoke to Terry-Lynn in the spring about honouring her late husband’s memory with a fishing tournament. Dr. Stevens died suddenly in Dec. 10, 2017. He was 49.

“Anyone that knew Rob knew of his love for fishing,” said Terry-Lynn. Initially, Roxanne said, they thought 10 to 15 boats would launch, but in the end there were 35 setting out. “It makes me happy to see the support from the community to honour Doc, Rob, as well as bringing mental health to the forefront to make people realize they are not alone and that there is help out there for them,” she said. “It seems to be an issue that some are ashamed to talk about and it goes unnoticed.

”The funds raised are slated for the Parry Sound branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Roxanne and Ray for their vision, and organization of the first Doc. Rob Bass Classic, along with their team of volunteers,” Terry-Lynn said. “I would also like to thank family, friends, businesses and community members who made a donation of any kind to support this event. It is because of all of you that this event was a success. I am honoured that Rob’s love of fishing has. brought us all together today in support of bringing mental health awareness to the forefront in our community.”

“I personally want to thank Terry-Lynn, (and her children) Casey and Sydney; they allowed us to invade their home and their lives on Saturday. As well as the number of volunteers, sponsors, participants as well as those that joined us for the barbecue … they made the day run that much smoother,” she said. “I hope this will be an annual event with family and friends to celebrate and remember Doc. Rob for the good man he is! There will always be a spot in my heart for Doc. Rob, we all miss him.”

Tournament winners were: first, Ray Priaulx, Mike Rochon, and Clint Hurd with 23 pounds and 12 ounces; second, JR Tudhope, Alex Tudhope and Mark Caruso with 21 pounds and nine ounces; third place, Mike Murphy, Grier Salter, Michael Murphy, Hyatt Black, and Emerson Salter with 14 pounds and two ounces. “I personally want to thank Terry-Lynn, (and her children) Casey and Sydney; they allowed us to invade their home and their lives on Saturday. As well as the number of volunteers, sponsors, participants as well as those that joined us for the barbecue … they made the day run that much smoother,” she said. “I hope this will be an annual event with family and friends to celebrate and remember Doc. Rob for the good man he is! There will always be a spot in my heart for Doc. Rob, we all miss him.” Tournament winners were: first, Ray Priaulx, Mike Rochon, and Clint Hurd with 23 pounds and 12 ounces; second, JR Tudhope, Alex Tudhope and Mark Caruso with 21 pounds and nine ounces; third place, Mike Murphy, Grier Salter, Michael Murphy, Hyatt Black, and Emerson Salter with 14 pounds and two ounces.

Article Reference Sarah Bissonette