The memory of a tennis coach from Sarnia lives on.
The second annual Love-All: Justin Bourassa Memorial Tennis Tournament will take place at the Sarnia Tennis Club July 18 through 20.
Players from across Canada and the United States will be competing for over $6,000 in prize money and national ranking points.
Justin's mother, Lorraine Bourassa, said all proceeds will go directly to Love-All which is a non-profit endowment fund created in memory of Justin.
"Love-All, a tennis term meaning everyone is equal describes Justin's personality," Lorraine told Sarnia News Today. "He connected with everyone, young or old, rich or poor. I hear stories of his kindness everyday, and sometimes from complete strangers."
Lorraine said about $30,000 has been awarded to local tennis players.
"The fund is divided into four categories aimed at helping and keeping players involved in tennis. Start, guide, play and instruct," she said. "Start includes providing racquets to new players, play helps them with money for lessons and travel for tournaments."
The weekend will include an OTA Sanctioned Men’s Open 350 draw, as well as club-level singles and doubles draws, with over 60 participants expected.
Tournament Organizer Matt Mueller said Justin was an incredible influence and friend.
"It was always his dream to have a high caliber tournament in Sarnia and doing this honours him and his dream," said Mueller. "I want to continue to build this tournament to show people the impact he had on the local and greater tennis community."
The public is invited to bring a lawn chair and watch some incredible tennis along with bidding on items donated by local businesses in a silent auction.
The first matches are scheduled for 5 p.m. July 18.
Bourassa, 29, was shot and killed during a struggle with London police in an alley off Richmond Street in October 28, 2021.
Police said they were investigating a downtown London break-in when Bourassa was killed. They have since acknowledged the break-in never occurred.
Police were cleared of any wrongdoing by the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in 2022.
They said the London police officer was protecting the life of their partner at the time.
In 2023, it was announced the Bourassa family was seeking $3.9-million in damages from London Police Services Board, former police Chief Steve Williams, current police chief Thai Troung and two unidentified London police officers.
For more information about the Love-All Foundation visit https://www.love-all.ca/ and for additional tournament updates follow @justinbourassamemorial on Instagram and Facebook.