IN MEMORIAM

The Langley Thunder organization, its management, coaches, players, trainers, support staff and, in particular, the fans where deeply saddened by the recent passing of Chris Friesen on March 25, 2010. Chris was a member of our Intermediate A team. Funeral services where held on April 1 at the Christian Life Assembly across from the McLeod Lacrosse Box. There was an overflow crowd of friends, family and the Lacrosse community.

Christian ‘Chris’ Friesen loved lacrosse. It was his passion. He wanted to be the best. Chris would want us to use his passion to fuel us. He learned early on from his Langley Lacrosse Association coaches he had to work hard to be the best.

His experiences with the SFU coaching staff and the Burnaby Mountain Selects program taught him that to be the best required discipline, hard work and perseverance. It changed his life from his eating habits to his fitness habits. He never quit.

He was taken from us far too early at age 17, just as college recruitment letters were arriving and decisions about the future were contemplated. It is hard to reconcile his leaving except that we are reminded that every life is precious and touches many people. He will always live on in the minds of all of us.

The Simon Fraser University Christian Friesen Memorial Award has been established. This fund will help honour Chris’ memory by providing students playing lacrosse at SFU a chance to work harder on their studies, word harder on lacrosse and CHANGE THE WORLD as result. Chris would have wanted it that way. Please help create a legacy in Chris’ name with a donation in support of this memorial award. To donate please go to http://www.christianfriesen.com.

A special tribute will be held Tuesday, April 27, ahead of the Junior A Thunder home opener at the Langley Events Centre.