ROCCS Helping Jason and Dominic Andras Honor Denise's Legacy

The Rowing Organization of Citrus County Students notes that the skies over Lake Henderson are offering a more poignant variety of hues since the passing of one of our own community “ROCCStars” -

Our forever teammate, cheerleader and friend, Denise Andras - beautiful wife of Jason, devoted mother of Dominic - has entered her Heavenly Rest on May 7, 2025, having defeated the cancer that tried and failed to break her smile.

Inverness, FL, to the Andras Family, is a “small town, done right”, a place Denise thought of as “home, heaven on earth, her adventure base, her happy place with her family” - will forever feel the outward ripples of how Denise embraced the community by blessing everyone she met with unending waves of kindness, generosity, sweetness, joy, and an instant feeling of belonging - because of how she welcomed everyone into her circle and wanted people to feel included and loved.

Denise’s presence will be so, so missed - as she was a refreshing spring of energy and positivity - a place where one could find complete happiness and be comfortable enough to “let your hair down” - time with Denise was like being on vacation!

Denise was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and traveled hand in hand with Jason and Dom through that valley valiantly, with tremendous strength and unwavering positivity.

Over time, as more focus was needed to help Denise walk the path daily with grace and fortitude, Jason faced the well known struggle between providing needed love and care for Denise and Dom - which takes and deserves attention and time - and the need to be the family’s financial provider. We all know the toll that can take.

The Andras Family has been such a positive presence with us in our team events right here at Lake Henderson and all around Central Florida, serving delicious meals at our regattas, hauling boats and kids and snacks from race to race, greeting all the teams and families with encouragement and cheerful camaraderie, and offering a smile and “way to go!” even when feeling the pressure of what cancer was taking from them.

And so, the goal of this GoFundMe is to give back to Jason a return of his and Denise’s community investment of love in the practical way it is needed - monetary support to help pay off medical bills and therapy costs, as a way to ensure that Dominic does not miss out on any further opportunities to be the wonderful awesome kid his parents raised him to be. This will help to alleviate any additional stress on the guys now, so they can do what’s needed to process their most significant loss.

Here’s to Sweet Denise, one of the Brightest Stars in all of ROCCS history, a friend to all - Shine Bright ✨