Owen Hayami Education Fund
Donation protected
'Tragedy' is the only word to describe how Rob Hayami was taken from us while golfing with his little boy during Ottawa’s recent derecho storm, one of the most severe storms in Canada this past century.
Leaving behind his beautiful wife, Kristine, his amazing 8yr old son, Owen, his family, his friends, and his community; Rob's passing reminds us that life is so very precious.
To help support Rob's grieving family, his community has put together an Owen Hayami Education Fund, to ensure Kristine will never have to worry about giving their only child the opportunity of a first-class post-secondary education.
‘Little’ Owen is 8 years old. Like most kids, he loves school, animals and sports. If you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he'll tell you 'a professional hockey player….and he will score 18 goals in EVERY game'. He will also wear #18 on his jersey.
This dream comes as no surprise as Rob spent countless hours on the ice with his son and helped coach his hockey team, the Nepean Raiders. If they weren't lacing up before a game, or at a Sens game, you could find the two of them on a golf course or playing tennis. Owen may be ‘a little guy’ but his tenacity is larger than life - just like his dads!
Rob’s sudden passing has turned Owen and Kristine’s lives upside down. Rob won’t be there for all the little things like tucking his son into bed at night, or helping coach his son to victory, or cheering on their favorite hockey team, the Ottawa Senators. He won’t be there to celebrate milestones either, like when Owen graduates from school.
We can’t bring Owen’s father back, but as a community, we can ensure Owen has the best possible chance to pursue his dreams.
According to a recent Macleans study, the average cost of a 4-year university education in 2022 is close $80,000 (see link below). While it will be another 10 years before Owen is ready to leave for college or university, we can help raise the money they need now so that there is a silver lining in this tragic story.
Please consider making a financial contribution to the Owen Hayami Education Fund by clicking the link below. Thank you for your kindness and support.
Link for Maclean's article: https://www.macleans.ca/education/the-cost-of-a-canadian-university-education-in-six-charts/
Articles about Rob and Owen:
CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rob-hayami-derecho-storm-1.6468952
Ottawa Citizen: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/he-would-enter-any-room-with-open-arms-storm-victim-robert-hayami-remembered-for-a-talent-for-creating-friendships
CTV News: https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/brought-a-lot-of-joy-to-a-lot-of-people-friends-and-family-mourn-deaths-of-storm-victims-1.5923631
Leaving behind his beautiful wife, Kristine, his amazing 8yr old son, Owen, his family, his friends, and his community; Rob's passing reminds us that life is so very precious.
To help support Rob's grieving family, his community has put together an Owen Hayami Education Fund, to ensure Kristine will never have to worry about giving their only child the opportunity of a first-class post-secondary education.
‘Little’ Owen is 8 years old. Like most kids, he loves school, animals and sports. If you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he'll tell you 'a professional hockey player….and he will score 18 goals in EVERY game'. He will also wear #18 on his jersey.
This dream comes as no surprise as Rob spent countless hours on the ice with his son and helped coach his hockey team, the Nepean Raiders. If they weren't lacing up before a game, or at a Sens game, you could find the two of them on a golf course or playing tennis. Owen may be ‘a little guy’ but his tenacity is larger than life - just like his dads!
Rob’s sudden passing has turned Owen and Kristine’s lives upside down. Rob won’t be there for all the little things like tucking his son into bed at night, or helping coach his son to victory, or cheering on their favorite hockey team, the Ottawa Senators. He won’t be there to celebrate milestones either, like when Owen graduates from school.
We can’t bring Owen’s father back, but as a community, we can ensure Owen has the best possible chance to pursue his dreams.
According to a recent Macleans study, the average cost of a 4-year university education in 2022 is close $80,000 (see link below). While it will be another 10 years before Owen is ready to leave for college or university, we can help raise the money they need now so that there is a silver lining in this tragic story.
Please consider making a financial contribution to the Owen Hayami Education Fund by clicking the link below. Thank you for your kindness and support.
Link for Maclean's article: https://www.macleans.ca/education/the-cost-of-a-canadian-university-education-in-six-charts/
Articles about Rob and Owen:
CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/rob-hayami-derecho-storm-1.6468952
Ottawa Citizen: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/he-would-enter-any-room-with-open-arms-storm-victim-robert-hayami-remembered-for-a-talent-for-creating-friendships
CTV News: https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/brought-a-lot-of-joy-to-a-lot-of-people-friends-and-family-mourn-deaths-of-storm-victims-1.5923631
Organizer and beneficiary
Sandra Pedersen
Organizer
Nepean, ON
Kristine McGillivray
Beneficiary