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CHRIS LAHEIJ - VICE PRESIDENT CEPA
March 23, 2010
CIPAby Margaret Brooks - CIPA Vice President
It is with deep regret that l have to report the death of our Vice-President of CEPA, Chris Laheij at the age of 52. We have lost a great friend.
As most of you know he has been ill for the last 14 months, and over the last two months has suffered a great deal.
Chris was our friend in artistic roller skating, and did so much for our sport over the many years he has been involved, first as a skater, then as a Coach, as a Judge, as Chairman/Secretary of IRSTA (International Roller Skating Trainers Association), as a Member of CEPA, and then Vice-President of CEPA.
His knowledge and wise judgement helped us all, particularly in the CEPA Seminars where he was always so enthusiastic. His advice to CEPA was invaluable and something we will miss greatly.
He was also until recently, Coach to a young ice Pairs Couple who gained recognition from the Federation of Netherlands and were given grants towards their training, thanks to Chris.
He was awarded the highest National Honour by the Queen of the Netherlands two years ago, for his contribution to Ice and Roller Skating, and was very proud of the medal presented to him – a well deserved Award for an outstanding person.
I personally will miss him terribly. I shall miss his humour, his kindness, his enthusiasm, his wise counsel and his friendship, as l am sure many of you will. Our thoughts go out to Ate, his partner for 12 years, and his family, in their great loss.