In Memory of Aaron Cornwell
June 15, 1981 - April 25, 1999
At approximately 9:00 pm on Sunday 25 April, 1999 Aaron Cornwell died in a motor vehicle accident. Aaron was a passenger in a car being driven by his closest friend Kevin Jorden. While enroute to play basketball at a local high-school, the car they were in was hit broad-side at an intersection. Both Aaron and his friend Kevin died. The loss is felt deepest by his father Mike and his mother Diana.
With the permission of Perry Elderbroom, and Mike Cornwell we have posted this letter written by Perry to Aaron's parents. We are sure that Perry's impression of Aaron was shared by many who came to know him. His departure is a loss we all feel and share. Our hearts go out to Mike and Diana.
Dear Mike and Diana, I wish to convey my deepest sympathy over the loss of Aaron. I am finding it very hard to express in words how I am feeling, but I feel compelled to write you and tell you just how much I enjoyed working with Aaron over these years, that he was not only a student to me, he was so much more. I mostly thought of him as my friend in San Clemente, California. Ever since I first met Aaron years ago in Aliso Viejo, he always impressed me. I can't tell you why I noticed him back then, but there was something very special even then. I still recall the first time you called me after that camp Mike, and when you said "this is Mike Cornwell you probably don't remember me" you didn't think I would remember you, but I did. I even knew Aaron by name back then. I see a lot of students through the years, some have qualities that make them very special. Aaron was one of those students to me. Maybe it was the intensity in which he hung on every word I said absorbing everything around him or that I could see the strong work ethics he had. I remember being impressed by how quickly he was able to retain and understand everything. As I got to know Aaron a little better, he impressed me even more. Not only was he self driven and motivated but he knew everything he wanted to do and how he planned to get there. I could also see how much he had improved when he came to Parksville. I had very little doubt that once he was totally committed to his hockey he could reach great heights. I remember us trying to all get together while you were there in Parksville. I still have my picture of me and Aaron winning his medals in Campbell River. I think maybe that's when he and maybe you started to see some of the real potential in his hockey. I saw that and so much more, long before then. He was very mature for his age and related so well. I wanted to teach him to help others and be an instructor with me. While he can't be on the ice to teach with us, he will be with us and I will never forget Aaron. He will always be in my heart, and from this day on his name will be present on my Jersey. We have put the picture he gave me on my web site to let some of our fellow goalies and friends know of our loss. Perry |
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