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Florida Panthers build beer memorial for dedicated fan that died of cancer

Ron Schmidt was 52 when he succumbed to a prolonged battle with brain cancer on Feb. 16. A dedicated husband and father of three, he was a hockey fan whose son Randy played goalie for the Florida JR. Panthers.

Before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals between the Florida Panthers and the New Jersey Devils, Schmidt's daughter Casey tweeted out the image above: a note and a beer at BankAtlantic Center, presented in a tribute to her late father.

Her message, thanking the Panthers: "This brought tears to my eyes."

For more on Ron Schmidt and how his life inspired his son and his hockey teammates, watch his Fox Sports Florida video about the JR Panthers (click the image or here to watch the video):

To learn more about the Schmidt family, and about "I Give A Schmidt", which was created to cover medical and other costs for the family, visit here.

s/t Hockey Broad.