Remembering Lucas Murnaghan
I sat down at my desk to begin writing this blog when my mom called to me from the kitchen saying “Maddi! Come look outside, there will be a rainbow for sure!”. We both ran to the front porch to watch the rain. The sun was poking through the clouds and a double rainbow appeared. I kid you not, the last time I saw a rainbow like this one sitting perfectly in front of my house, was the day I last saw Lucas Murnaghan. We were completing our ISA SUP and Surf Safety Instructor course together in Toronto at Woodbine beach in August of 2020. I’ll never forget all of us huddled under the small tent taking shelter from the rain and thunder. As I shivered due to the cold rain rolling in, Lucas had nothing but positive energy that kept our spirits high as we waited for the storm to pass. Sure enough the sun came out, we completed the course and all went home happy. I remember my drive home from Toronto that night was spectacular. The warm summer rain was leaving Toronto but only continued to drift towards Niagara. As I drove home, the sun was at my back, and nothing but dark clouds and rainbows were ahead.
Running down the beach chasing our ISA SUP and Surf Certification - August 2020
Starting at the sky once again tonight on the front porch took me back to the last time I saw Lucas. The sky tonight also seemed to be a great depiction of my current mood. Black stormy clouds, with the warm sun shining through made me feel sad, angry, shocked, and happy all at the same time. I am sad that Lucas is gone. I am angry that he died of cancer, as I have now lost so many friends to this form of illness. I am shocked that Lucas even had cancer, for I had not known prior. And lastly, I am happy that Lucas is no longer suffering…
Lucas taking a photo of me with his famous underwater camera. Photo: Anthony Gallaccio - On Board 2017
I had first met Lucas in June of 2017 when I volunteered at the MEC Paddle Fest as a SUP Instructor for Surf the Greats. I was already good friends with his husband Antonio Lennert (owner of STG) through his sponsorship for On Board since 2015. Antonio offered for me to stay at their place that weekend in June, since I was travelling from Uxbridge, to Oakville, to Toronto, then back to Uxbridge all in one weekend. After a long day at the beach, Antonio and I had gone back to his apartment, we cleaned ourselves up and walked over to a restaurant called Tequlia to meet up with Lucas and Derek for dinner. Lucas had been taking underwater pictures of Derek earlier that day and was telling us all about it as we sat down and ate. I’ll never forget Lucas’s hospitable presence that evening, making me feel so welcomed as we told stories about surfing, paddling, photography and laughed the night away. As we stepped out of the restaurants front window to leave (it’s true, you can do that in Toronto in the summer time!) I had asked Lucas about how he met Antonio. That night as we walked down the middle of the street back to their condo, he had told me their love story and how they had met in California by chance fourteen years ago. I remember thinking to myself that night “that I hope one day I’ll find a love like theirs. One that demonstrates compassion, support, and chasing after each others dreams”. Lucas and Antonio are truly a shining example of that kind of love.
Antonio Lennert and Lucas Murnaghan
After that, I saw Lucas plenty of times through every STG event, every On Board event and just out and about in the surf community. Every time I saw him he was always smiling. Whenever I came to a STG event he always introduced me as “the paddling athlete who wins a lot of races!”. That introduction always made me laugh and blush at the same time. One memory that will always stay with me, was another time I had stayed over at Antonio and Lucas’s place in November of 2017. We had woken up at 5:30am on a Saturday morning to get ready for the Brain Freeze event with Jack.org. I walked down the stairs groggy as I pulled up a bar stool at their kitchen counter. Lucas had just finished brewing coffee. He looked at me and said “Maddi want to see the coolest mug in the world?”. I responded “yes of course I do!”. He then pulled out a coffee mug that had a picture of a school bus on it driving down a road surrounded by trees. Inside of the school bus was a bunch of wild animals. I said “wow, okay that’s a neat nature mug!”. “Oh just wait for it Maddi” said Lucas. He then poured the fresh coffee into the mug, and as the warm coffee hit the sides of the mug, the colours of the mug had changed. The outline of the trees had turned bright green, and the wild animals inside the bus became clearer. He was so happy with the mug changing colours, we both just couldn’t stop laughing.
Lucas taking pictures at On Board 2017. Photo: Anthony Gallaccio
I think the mug story stands out in my mind so much because that was truly just the person that Lucas was. Always smiling at the small precious moments in life that count for something bigger than ourselves. I don’t think that I ever remember a time when Lucas was not smiling. As I continue to grow, I only want to try my best to live a life like Lucas did. To live a life surrounded by loved ones, while encouraging others to chase their dreams and to never be afraid to stand up for love. Lucas’s life is one that will never be forgotten and I am honoured to have known him and all of his kindness. I am honoured to have been able to call him a dear friend, and I will truly never forget him. Life is short, but Lucas lived it fully, and I only hope to do the same. Rest in Peace Lucas, because you deserve every ounce of it you beautiful soul!
with lots of love - Maddi xoxo
If you would like to watch his TEDTalk you can do so here. I highly recommend it!!
Love you and miss you Lucas!!