Service pays tribute to Visser

A memorial service to celebrate the life of the late Lourens Visser was held Saturday afternoon at the Emo Legion, with Salvation Army Envoy Eric Alcock officiating.
He was assisted by Envoy Sylvia Alcock, who read the scripture lesson.
Pianist Marina Gerber led the gathering in two selections, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace.” Soloist Joyous Bragg sang “Closer Walk With Thee” while the duet of Judy McCoy and Heather Keeler sang “It is Well with My Soul,” which was Visser’s favourite hymn.
The eulogy was given by Sam Visser, daughter Charlene Visser, and Melanie Visser, who paid tribute to Lourens as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Family pictures were displayed in one section of the Legion Hall while the other featured memorabilia from the Fort Frances Gymnastic Club, including Visserettes jackets, trophies, and medallions won by the club under Visser.
Barney Maher also paid tribute to Visser, reflecting on the early days of the Visserettes, how well he had managed the club throughout the years, and the energy he had given to make local gymnasts perform at their best.
Fort Frances Gymnastics Academy tribute speech given by Past President and Gym Parent, Robert Grynol, said “Lourens Visser had a profound effect on his family as well as hundreds of children in the district over the years,” noted Robert Grynol, a gymnastics parent and past president of the Fort Frances Gymnastics Academy.
He recalled how well his daughters had participated at all levels of competition under Visser.
“I tell you these things because we are grateful for the experience,” noted Grynol.
“We felt we wanted to give back to the club and the community some of what it has given to us,” echoed Betty Grynol, now president of the Fort Frances Gymnastics Acamedy after starting out as treasurer of the Visserettes in 1978.
The original club has branched into three clubs now, noted Grynol, the Fort Frances Visserettes and Boys Gymnastics Club, the Fort Frances Trampoline Club, and the Rainbow Rhythmics.
There are more than 150 regular members with all three clubs, plus 300-400 school children per year.
“We will keep him alive in our clubs as a role model,” Grynol said of Visser, adding they plan to purchase a huge trophy to be given out to the top team in the region each year in memory of the Visser family.
A large picture of Visser also will be placed in a prominent position on the wall of the Fort Frances Gymnastics Academy.
“We have his history in our brochure and the story will be told at meets and events,” added Grynol. “For us, Lourens will always live on. Indeed, we all have loved him and been touched by him.”
After the service, the family invited all to join them for lunch, with many staying to view the photographs, scrap books, achievement awards, and reminisce over Lourens Visser’s life.