Hockey Tourney Raises Thousands For Injured West Roxbury Teen

Neighbors, friends, athletes, coaches and classmates got together for a men’s street hockey tournament at Fallon Field in Roslindale on Saturday to raise $3,500 for West Roxbury's Mark Delamere.

Delamere, a 15 year-old freshman at Boston Latin, was seriously injured in a horrendous Arboway crash in September that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

Joe Donahue,  the tournament organizer said each team raised $550 for the Delamere fund which will go towards funding the West Roxbury teen’s medical needs. 

Donahue said the fundraiser was a huge success but he wasn’t surprised by the large amount raised by the Parkway Community..

“That’s what the parkway community is all about: stepping up when a fellow neighbor is in need,” he said.

Donahue officiated and even played in the tournament, which was won by Orbit Roofing.

Rob McLaughlin, who was Mark's Little League coach on the PLL Tigers, was one of the team captains in Saturday’s tournament.  In memory of his former slugger, McLaughlin named his team the Tigers and dressed in orange shirts.

“I know for our team it felt fantastic to be able to get together and raise some money for the Delamere family,” McLaughlin said. “There were many on our team that were excited to get together to play full scale competitive street hockey, something we probably haven't done since we were teenagers. Combine that with the great weather and overall good-nature feeling that everyone involved had and you can't help but feel like you were doing a great thing as part of this community.”

Although, it was a men’s tournament, many mothers and wives assisted in the community celebration.

Deirdre Parlon was an organizer a team her husband played for, which was sponsored by her company, Black Oak Staffing Solutions - B.O.S.S. 

Parlon’s team was originally made up of mostly Boston Police Officers.  But when many of the cops were called to work the Red Sox World Series parade, many players from other teams showed kindness,   and jumped in to play in their place. 

“I believe everyone felt the ‘Mark Strong’ vibe and without a doubt applied the same level of strength Mark is daily toward his recovery, to play hard and play with optimism on the court for him,” Parlon said.

“I believe the entire day was a huge success and we were happy to contribute to this fundraiser. The camaraderie and family spirit was spectacular.”

Donahue applauded each of the teams for playing quality competitive street hockey without getting overly aggressive.

After the event, the teams presented the donation of about $3,500 to Mark’s aunt, Karen Hickman at a reception at the West Roxbury pub. 

“She was overwhelmed and appreciative of all the ladies and gentleman who gave up their day,” Donahue said.

The Delamere family continues to raise funds for Mark.  A larger fundraiser  will be held for the West Roxbury teen on Saturday, November 16 at 7 p.m. at the Demetris Function Facility in Foxboro. Tickets are $40 in advance and can be purchased at Kellehers Bar & Grille in Roslindale.  Tickets are $50 at the door.