A FAMILY TRADITION THAT KEEPS GIVING
When Helen and Bruno (Ottavio) Rossi signed up for the Friends of St. Francis Charity Golf Tournament 22 years ago, they likely never imagined that they were starting a family tradition that would span generations.
The Rossis were first introduced to the area in the 1950s when Bruno came up to help build a cottage for a family member. Over the years, Helen and Bruno fell in love with the region. They built a cottage for themselves and brought up their own young family in the summers.
In 1984, they made the big decision to retire to the area full time. From there, they became active members of the community, getting involved with the Seniors Centre, helping with pancake breakfasts, fish fries and barbecues, and finding ways to give back wherever they could.
One of the causes that became particularly meaningful to them was St. Francis Memorial Hospital.
“They just really loved the hospital,” their daughter Maria Rabjohn says. “They were surprised to learn at the time that the government does not provide any funds to purchase medical equipment.”
The golf tournament was a way to help. For them, the tournament was about much more than golf. It was an opportunity to give back to a hospital they believed in, and to spend a day surrounded by friends and members of their community.
Helen took great pride in helping to raise funds for the hospital. Maria remembers one story in particular that made her mother especially proud. During one of her visits to the hospital, her mother met a doctor who had come from Hamilton.
She jokingly remarked that there must be quite a difference between a large city hospital and their “little town hospital.”
He told her that their little town hospital had better equipment than the big city hospital.
“She took great pride in that fact,” Maria recalls. “She knew that the golf tournament helped provide some of that.”
Year after year, the Rossis came back to the course, enjoying the golf, the camaraderie and the simple joy of spending the day together.
As the years went on, things began to change. Bruno’s Alzheimer’s progressed, and eventually, he was no longer able to take part in the tournament. Maria’s mom, now 87, has also stepped back from playing, but she wasn’t ready to miss last year’s tournament altogether. Although she didn’t play many holes in 2025, she spent the day riding around in the cart, catching up with familiar faces and enjoying the event she had loved for so many years.
Today, Helen lives with Maria in Fenelon Falls. Bruno requires 24/7 care and lives in a care home in Peterborough.
While Helen and Bruno can no longer take part as they once did, their family is making sure the tradition continues.
This year, Maria’s husband and son will take their place, continuing the family’s tradition and making sure there is still someone from the family on the course.
“It meant so much to my mom and dad,” Maria says. “They just really loved the tournament.”
For her parents, St. Francis Memorial Hospital has always been their hospital. It was a place where they knew the doctors, recognized the staff and felt connected to the people caring for them.
That connection is something the Rossi family wants to carry forward. By continuing to take part in the Friends of St. Francis Charity Golf Tournament, they are honouring Helen and Bruno’s commitment to the hospital while helping support the healthcare our community relies on.
“Even when they’re gone, I would like to continue being part of the golf tournament,” Maria says. “My kids feel the same way. As long as we can, we’d like to be able to participate.”
