The Vancouver Island golf community lost one of its biggest supporters on Wednesday with the passing of Christopher Nordell, the presenting sponsor behind the VI Pro Golf Tour.
Nordell, owner of James Bay Denturists (better known as The Tooth Guy), lost his year-long battle with cancer after being diagnosed last July with stage four renal cell carcinoma, which had metastasized to his lung.
鈥淲e are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and supporter Chris Nordell this morning. Chris will always be remembered,鈥� the tour posted on its Twitter account.
鈥淐hris was a huge supporter of golf on Vancouver Island and across sa国际传媒, made an amazing number of friends in his 45 years with us,鈥� said close friend Matt Matheson, the Class A PGA of sa国际传媒 Professional and GBC Golf Academy Instructor at Olympic View Golf Club.
鈥淟ast fall, the support for Chris was shown when over $40,000 was raised to help send Chris overseas to seek alternative treatments hoping to prolong his life,鈥� Matheson said. 鈥淗is amazing wife Zabrina was with him the entire time and saw him endure tremendous pain and exhibit an unbelievable amount of courage.
鈥淐hris was able to have some clarity in his last days here and still exhibited the wit and charm that made everyone he met want to be around him more.鈥�
Nordell was surprised by the charity golf tournament held in his honour last fall.
鈥淚 have no words to express my appreciation. This doesn鈥檛 happen every day,鈥� Nordell told the sa国际传媒 at the time. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the power of the golf community in Victoria.鈥�
A celebration of Nordell鈥檚 life will be held on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Olympic View, where he spent much of his free time.
