Former Cobourg hockey player Jason Clarke wanted to do something to help the Kerin family and remember their son who was killed in an accident.
On December 2, 2020, 12-year-old Cormac Kerin and his 10-year-old sister Shea was involved in a collision just outside their home on 7th Line in the Municipality of Port Hope near Campbellcroft.
Cormac died as a result of the collision and Shea was airlifted to Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto where she remains.
Jason Clarke lives in Quebec City, but grew up in Cobourg where he played minor hockey and was friends with the children’s father Brendan.
Hearing about the tragedy, Clarke wanted to do something to honour Cormac.
Teaming up with Wingman Sports, they’ve created a touque with Cormac’s name and his hockey number 17.
In the short time the touque has been available Clarke said the response has been amazing with local dignitaries and NHL players ordering them.
All proceeds from the sale of the touques will go to the Kerin family.
My name is Jason Clarke and I grew up in Cobourg also playing my minor hockey there as well. I was friends with Brendan Kerin I’m sure we have all heard the tragedy on December 2.
I’m now living in Quebec City and it did not take long for my phone to ring. Reading the news and the type of young man Cormac was giving, liked by all, but one thing that really caught my eye was the way he was described as a hockey player, he reminded me of myself at that age, not the fastest, loved the game, loved his coaches and teammates and we both played defence and wore #17.
Courageous, hero is other words I would use to describe him, as more of the story broke it was said that he had tried to push his sister Shea out of harms way.
Shea is still here today because of his a actions. The best of people would have ran or froze, but not Cormac.
Being from Cobourg we always help out when people are in need. I have teamed up with Wingman Sports to design a touque, it has his number 17 and Cormac on it.
100% of the profits will be donated to the Kerin family.
The touques can be found at www.wingmansports.ca or email me directly at jclarke991@gmail.com.
The response has been overwhelming on Instagram from Mayor John Henderson, Chief of Police Paul Vandegraaf, Aaron Blair Cobourg Fire Department, Darcy Tucker (former Toronto Maple Leafs), Kurtis Gabriel (San Jose Sharks), Will Petschenigto (Oshawa Generals Alumni) the Cobourg Cougars, Aurora Tigers to name a few.
It’s been awhile since I lived in Cobourg but I never forget where I come from, our thoughts and prayers are with the kerin family and all those affected.
Thank you
Jason Clarke #17
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
