“The North Shore symbolizes family to me in so many ways. The moment I cross the Lion’s Gate Bridge, I feel at home. When I look to the snow-capped mountains and the whitecaps on the ocean, I can feel my Papa with me.”

Throughout her childhood, Sunny Lenarduzzi always looked up to her grandfather, Denny Veitch, whom she called her Papa. Despite the loss of an arm, Denny was a professional rugby player, led the B.C. Lions in the 1960s and later became the Vancouver Whitecaps’ general manager.
It wasn’t until Sunny took him to a rugby game in Stanley Park as a teen that she truly understood the lasting influence he had on the local community, beyond just their family.
 
“I don’t think it had clicked for me at that point how big an impact he had on the sport of rugby, and when I saw him talking to his old teammates and even younger players in the game, I could see the legacy he left,” Sunny says.

That game remains one of Sunny’s favourite memories with her Papa, who lived with dementia.
“Papa was an inspiration for me to know that every conversation, every encounter you have with someone – big or small – leaves a mark, so try to leave them better than when you met them.”

Denny was one of two important people who lived with dementia and who shaped the Lenarduzzi family lore. The other is Clelia Lenarduzzi, mother of Sunny’s father Bob, the Vancouver Whitecaps President. Bob, Sunny, her mother Deanna and brother Ryan cherish memories of Clelia, who also lived with dementia. Clelia was a resilient, caring Italian mother and incredible cook who brought the family together around her dinner table each week to share stories and laughter. Clelia and Denny’s family values have had an everlasting effect on Sunny: “They both instilled family as our No. 1 value – it is their greatest gift to us,” she says.

The Lenaraduzzis are champions of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. – Bob’s a long-time supporter of the Breakfast to Remember events; Sunny has used her online influence to address stigma; and together the family have participated in walks and runs in support of the Society. Denny and Clelia’s legacy has inspired the Lenarduzzis not to give up on advocating for British Columbians affected by dementia.

 
Walk with The Lenarduzzi Family at the North Shore IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's on Sunday, May 5. Together, we make memories matter.