OXFORD – The bonds of friendship remain strong even after death. Just ask Nathaniel Emerson, Tim O’Brien and Matt Mayhew. The three Oxford graduates are proving the strength of their commitment to their former classmate and longtime friend John Lobdell by helping to safeguard the future of those who were most important to him.

Lobdell passed away on September 17, 2008 at the age of 35 after a prolonged battle with colon cancer. He left behind a loving wife, Emma, and two young sons, Brody and Mason.

“John was always adamant that his boys would never have to worry about their education,” Emerson said.

While the couple had established both retirement accounts for themselves and college funds for the boys, now 8 and 5, they were forced to drain those accounts to pay for costly treatments after Lobdell’s diagnosis in 2007, he explained.

Knowing how important it was to their friend to see his children go to college, the three men have organized a benefit golf tournament on Saturday, July 25 at the Canasawacta Country Club to raise money for The Brody/Mason Fund.