I have to sadly announce that one of our sailors, Jackey Ouelette has unfortunately passed away. After a long struggle with COPD, she passed peacefully at the Arnprior Hospital on Sunday February 26, 2017. She was 53. She will be dearly missed. Jackey would be very touched to see the Ablesail community gather and also meet her family and other people in the Ottawa area that meant so much to her at a very difficult time in her life. I can’t put into words the admiration that I have for everyone in this program and could never thank everyone enough for what they did for Jackey.

Graham

Obituary: http://boycefuneralhome.ca/tribute/details/1920/Jacqueline-Roberta–Ouellette/obituary.html

On February 1^st, 2017, a full table of NCASA sailors and supporters gathered at Algonquin College for the Ottawa Sports Award. We were all there  to cheer Shaylagh Ley who was recognised for her achievements in sailing during the summer 2016.

Shaylagh has been sailing for three years. In 2016, at 16 years of age, she  placed first in the silver fleet event at the Mobility Cup. At this regatta, she defeated 22 sailors from all across Canada and two from the U.S. Shaylagh also finished second in the Quebec Disabled Sailing Championships against a field of 14 competitors.

Congratulations Shaylagh, you are making all of us very proud!

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Monique Cormier on October 12, 2016. Monique passed away peacefully surrounded by family and close friends. The National Capital Able Sail Association (NCASA) and the entire Able Sail community was blessed to have Monique in our midst.

Monique took great joy in the time she spent in support of the disabled sailing. She did everything asked of her. Her service included travelling to regattas to support sailors, serving on the board of NCASA, supporting the planning and implementation of both the 2003 and 2012 Mobility Cups and several local National Capital Cups and supporting sailors without hesitation. She was a champion of disabled sailing, doing all of this not having been a sailor which makes it even more remarkable. Her energy was infectious and she never failed to roll up her sleeves and do what needed to be done.

She will be missed but Monique’s spirit and smile will be forever with us.

Obituary: http://www.mfracicot.ca/fr/node/140

Monique died of cancer on 12 October and she was buried on 18 October.

Donations in her memory may be made to Programme Extra-Mural de Caraquet. Send your condolences and donations to Famille Cormier, 186 rue Boudreau, Caraquet NB E1W1A5.  (tel 506 726 6066)

Congratulations to Dorn Roche, recipient of the Community Leader Celebration of People Award 2015 in Memory of Cathy Kerr!

Dorn Roche, Treasurer of NCASA, received the Community Leader Award in memory of Cathy Kerr at the Celebration of People Awards 2015 on December 3rd in Ottawa .

This is Dorn’s profile published on the Celebration of People 2015 website:

Dorn Roche is an active community leader impacting both the organizations he supports and the community. As a professional accountant he has used his professional training to assist the Holy Cross Parish Knights of Columbus, National Capital Able Sail Association, Capital Wheelchair Curling Club and National Capital Sports Council for the Disabled. He also actively participates and encourages others to take part in the sports of sailing and curling. Dorn is also involved with Reach Canada, Citizen Advocacy Ottawa, Catholic Christian Outreach and Spinal Cord Injury Ontario.

The full list of finalists for the 2015 awards can be found here.