Joshua Yasay: His Memory Lives On

Joshua Yasay: His Memory Lives On

Mass shooting victim Filipino-Canadian

Contributed by Schubert Restituto

JULY 16, 2016-York University, Toronto, Ontario

Joshua would have been happy with the outcome.

Joshua Yasay was one of two people who lost their lives at the “infamous” Danzig Street Community BBQ on July 16, 2012 in “the worst mass shooting in Toronto’s history”. Two people lost their lives and twenty three were injured in this random and senseless act of violence.

Joshua graduated from York University with an honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology. He also devoted his spare time in community work, most especially in coaching basketball for at-risk youth in the Malvern community. Due to his accomplishments, York University established “The Joshua Yasay Award in Criminology and Community Service” in 2013. A scholarship is to be awarded to a high achieving fourth year Criminology student who has made a positive impact on his or her community similar to Joshua.

A charity basketball tournament is held at York University in his memory. Now in its fourth year, the basketball classic was held July 16th at the Tait McKenzie Centre from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. As in previous years, fourteen teams from York, Toronto Police, Toronto Fire and other groups, about a hundred players all in all, participated.

(PHOTOS PROVIDED)