Luke Loftus Memorial

We remember Luke Loftus for his fearless liveley spirit. In memoriam, the Luke Loftus Memorial Fund was created and each season has sponsored families to offset costs and expenses for those who otherwise would not be able to play.

Lukas Michael Wayne Loftus

Luke was born on January 13, 1994, to Pat and Shawna Loftus. He was supposed to arrive quickly, but Luke had other plans and came in 27 hours later. He ended up in neo-natal unit for seven days with unexplained seizures. After his release so began the life of Luke.

Luke grew up on acreage just outside of Carseland. He loved acreage life it gave him the freedom to do anything. He had his favourite dog GM, all kinds of animals to raise, dirt bikes to ride and even cars including mom's van which at three years old he got into, started, put it in reverse, and jammed it between two trees. All he could say to me as he struggled to get up from the floor was "Bad van Mom, Bad Van Mom" I nearly had a heart attack. Later on, he moved up to a Datsun 710 that he drove with his helmet on going over jumps that would send him to the roof of the car. Thank goodness for helmets.

Luke did Kindergarten to Grade 6 in Carseland School. He loved it there and couldn't wait for recess to get out and play. He loved tether ball, football, and loved soccer. He joined the soccer club for ages 5-6. Us parents would always laugh at the kids running the wrong direction and then one would see a bug and everyone stopped to look at it.

Luke joined the Boy Scouts, and he was a natural for all of it cooking, camping, making fires, fishing, sports, and anything else outdoors. He excelled at swimming, starting at the age of 3 months he was never afraid.

Luke had a great sense of humor and laughed at himself quite often. One day in grade five they had a gender switch day at school. Thinking Luke wouldn't participate I was quite shocked when we went to the salvation army to get a pink skirt, purple camisole, black leotards, and black high heel shoes. I did his makeup and got a wig for him. He looked priceless, I can still remember that picture. He had me drop him off at school. I hadn't gone a mile down the road when I get this phone call, it was Luke and he was in a panic. He had gotten in the school and found out gender switch day was the following week, and he was mortified. I told him I would turn around and get him but as always in Luke fashion he said, "I got this "and stayed in school the whole day dressed like a girl. I still laugh.

When he moved into Junior High in Strathmore, I felt maybe the Catholic School would be good for him. There were lots of sports programs. One day I received the "Ms. Loftus" phone call. Lukas was being expelled now I was mortified. When I spoke to the principal, he said Luke was wearing inappropriate clothing and was asked to remove it and he refused. I had no idea what it was other than it had skulls on it. Luke didn't own anything like that. When he got in the car I got really serious and asked what is going on and what shirt are they referring to? I burst out laughing when he told me. We had gone to Disney World, and he wanted this "Pirates of the Caribbean hoodie hence the skulls and crossbones and had worn it in school unbeknown to me. He said he wore it every day until he got expelled. He didn't want to hurt my feelings but that he really wanted to be in Crowther Memorial where the rest of his friends were. So, we transferred him.

It was a great move. He loved it and participated in some of the sports although doing cross country running in a leather coat and army boots still makes me laugh but Luke played to his own drum.(Pictures to prove:)

Luke always was up to some sort of antics in school. One day I received the call "Ms Loftus" Luke is in hospital. I said what happened?? He was in science class, and you know those little capsules you get from the dollar store the ones that when you add water they turn into an animal or dinosaur the nurse said Luke had swallowed one. I was once again mortified. He said on the phone he was waiting to poop out the tyrannosaurus Rex. After that episode there was the call that Luke was in hospital again after getting spermicidal in his eye during sex education class.

When I finally got to see him, he said Quote "Mom I'll never get a girl pregnant because as long as it goes in my eye I'll never be able to see what I'm doing." OMG! ! I could go on and on with his stories.

We found out at young age Luke had allergies to hay which later they diagnosed as asthma but that didn't stop Luke from doing what he loved to do. Being a kid :)

It was in lacrosse where Luke found his real passion. He loved the camaraderie to the other players and being part of a team. He loved there were few rules in lacrosse and like him he didn't live to anyone's rules. I always remember cringing at some of the hits the players took and after would say "there must be a penalty for that however he would always pipe up Nope! You aren't allowed to hit in the face or the back of the head. I think he always thought that would make me feel better. I'm sure there were more, and I figured them out by watching the fast-paced game. Luke wasn't the strongest player, but he played with heart and passion. He didn't get many chances to pass the ball but when the opposition had it he would stay on them until he got the ball back for the team. Luke was known for wearing the black converse runners to play with and I remember him asking for some hairspray and I said "What for? He said it gave him extra grip on the floor. Those shoes are in Lukas's display case that is hanging in the arena foyer. There is also a picture of Luke and his Venom Team after they won first in the tournament in Cranbrook. It is one of my favourite pictures of the team luckily, I videoed it too.

Sadly, I lost Luke the following year just when the tournament was to begin but I will always remember their smiles getting their medals.

Since then, I've been part of the Redneck Rumble and the Strathmore Venom Lacrosse Teams. For the past 15 years the Luke Loftus Memorial Fund has sponsored families each season to help offset costs for registration and other expenses to play lacrosse. I've created the Memorial Fund to help kids continue playing. We sponsor kids in every aspect from playing, competing, and travelling to competitions. This fund also helps with monies to finance kids in every other aspect of their lives outside of sports. These donations are all supported by a silent auction which is held every year and will continue for as long as I can do it. That is who Luke is and helping people was what mattered to him. I also present a trophy in my son's name to a lacrosse player who gives it all they have, loves to play, and plays with heart. That is Luke through and through.

The Red Neck Rumble has been a huge part of my journey and being part of it has helped me through some hard times and helps to keep Luke's memory alive. This Lacrosse tournament takes a lot to put together from the coaches, volunteers, players and most of all the parents who deserve a pat on the back. These kids are only little for a while, and you are taking an active part in their life because you never know it can change in an instant so always remember that extra kiss and the "I love you”.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for letting me be part of this.

Shawna Lowe Loftus