(Submitted Photo/ Deni Waithman)

By Ronald Quaroni

Sentimental Memorabilia

Personalized Raider jersey stolen

Nov 18, 2019 | 1:01 PM

A Saskatoon woman is devastated after the theft of a personalized Raider jersey over the weekend.

Deni Waithman told paNOW her grandfather, who was a passionate Raiders fan recently passed away in a farming accident last July.

“He went to every single Raider game. From when they first started in the SJHL, right until the end. His last game was Game 7 [of the WHL Championship.]”

Before Lorne Baily of Birch Hills died, Waithman planned on getting him a personalized jersey as a gift. Unfortunately she never got to give it to him.

“So I had my jersey made in memory of him. It was my connection to him,” she explained.

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This season, Waithman has been travelling to Prince Albert for home games to sit in her grandfather’s seats with her uncle.

Long-time Raider fan Lorne Baily (centre) with granddaughter Deni Waithman (left) at the Art Hauser Centre. (submitted photo/ Deni Waithman)

Sadly, over the weekend, Waithman left the jersey in her van in Saskatoon and someone stole it. Because of its personalized nature and direct ties to another city’s WHL team, she feels the jersey would hold little value to the thief.

Although the monetary cost is not upsetting, the piece’s connection to her grandfather makes the theft tough.

“I know I could get another one made. It’s just not quite the same,” Waithman said.

She is holding out hope that the jersey finds its way back to her and she can once again put it on and wear it in fond remembrance at the Art Hauser.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni