Boaters raise $11,000 in fight against cancer

Provided photos – There were nearly 100 boaters at the Eagle Creek Marina over the weekend for the inaugural Harris-Lance Flotilla, an event that raised more than $11,000 for Boaters Against Cancer.

KENDALL – Two beloved members of the boating community at Eagle Creek Marina died from cancer this year. Many of their friends, still grieving from their loss, organized the inaugural Harris-Lance Flotilla, an event that raised more than $11,000 for the newly formed Boaters Against Cancer. The funds will go to families of boaters battling the dreaded disease.

Dave Bentley was friends with both Scott Harris and Phil Lance, the two long-time boaters who fought cancer.

“They were two of my best friends,” Bentley, owner of Bentley Brothers in Albion and Brockport, said today. “They were two great guys.”

Bentley was part of the effort from the boating community to put together the three-day Boaters Against Cancer event last weekend at Eagle Creek Marina. The event featured concerts, food trucks and was going to include a flotilla, but that was cancelled due to rough waters.

“It will be an annual event,” Bentley said today.

Scott Harris fought bravely against male breast cancer for almost four years. He was a boater for his entire life. He grew up boating with his parents at Oak Orchard Yacht Club.

Harris owned several boats over the course of his life and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. He is survived by his wife Karen; children Nick, Cory and McKenzi; and grandson Tanner.

Phil Lance, “Canada Phil,” battled colon cancer for about two years. He began boating as a youth while fishing with family. He held many boating certifications and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. His boating adventures took him all around Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and throughout the province of Ontario.

He is survived by his wife Jill, her children and grandchildren.

Boaters have fun by the lake during the Boaters Against Cancer event.

About 40 to 50 boaters who are regulars were part of last weekend’s memorial event for the two boaters. Another 30 boaters visited to join the effort.

“It turned out to be a very good first-time event,” said Dave Oschmann, manager of the marina.

For more information about Boaters Against Cancer, click here.