THUNDER BAY – Bruce Nugent dedicated a large part of his life to education.
A long-time communications director at the Lakehead Public School Board, Nugent, who died in 2020, was a driving force behind the Lakehead Public Schools Foundation’s annual golf tournament, which raises money to support educational initiatives throughout the city.
Three years ago, tournament organizers decided to rename the event the Bruce Nugent Memorial Golf Tournament, an honour his son Aidan said would have made his father smile.
“It helps kids in the system with their education and provides them with supplies and things that can make them successful,” Nugent said on Monday, prior to the sold-out tournament teeing off at Whitewater Golf Course.
“My dad put a lot of effort into this golf tournament every year and it means a lot to our family that his memory lives on. This tournament meant a lot to him and certainly the cause was near and dear to his heart.”
Money from the tournament also helps support the Grade 8 evening of excellence, honouring the best of the best in the public school system, and helps fund scholarships for Grade 12 graduates.
Sherri-Lynne Pharand, the board’s director of education, said the event is always fun, but the fact it helps the Lakehead Learning Foundation is the icing on the cake, providing things like a warm breakfast or a winter coat to students in need.
It’s important, she said.
“When students are in school it’s really important they have everything they need to be successful, whether that’s a meal or a warm coat or an opportunity to participate in field trips. We know that not everyone has the same opportunity from home, so a big part of this foundation’s role is to make sure we’re able to provide all children with the same opportunity,” Pharand said.
