TRUMBULL, CT — Michael Slama, 74, and his wife, Nancy, made the trek from their home in the Boston area to attend the 17th annual Joshua Bent Memorial Golf Tournament at Tashua Knolls Golf Course Monday. The event has special meaning for Slama, who benefitted from its namesake when he had a life-saving heart transplant 18 years ago.
An organ and tissue donor, Joshua Bent, 27, who grew up in Monroe, lost his life in a fatal car crash in Massachusetts on Memorial Day weekend in 2007. In all, nine people benefited from receiving his lungs, kidneys, heart, liver, corneas, pancreas, intestines and skin.
“I’m doing okay. I’m doing well — and I wouldn’t be here today without Josh,” said Slama, wearing a bucket hat, while sitting in a shaded area on the sunny afternoon. “This is my 15th tournament. I’m thankful every day.”
Frank and Johanne Bent of Monroe, Joshua’s parents, started the golf tournament to keep their son’s memory alive.
All proceeds benefit high school graduates pursuing careers in architecture. The fund also provides financial aid for students in need at the Wentworth Institute of Technology — Joshua’s Alma mater.
Over the years, the Joshua Bent Memorial Golf Tournament has raised close to $500,000, while benefitting around 30 students from Masuk, Fairfield Warde, Fairfield Ludlowe, Joel Barlow, Stratford and Trumbull high schools.
Frank Bent said the Wentworth Institute of Technology, which is based in Boston, “has been a magnificent partner.”
The Bents also work closely with Donate Life Connecticut, a nonprofit promoting organ and tissue donations. Frank Bent said the organization donates bags and other golf accoutrements to the tournament, while encouraging people to signup to be organ and tissue donors.
As a result, Bent estimates 10 to 15 people signed up over the years.
He expressed his gratitude to all of the tournament’s local sponsors, including Union Savings Bank, whose manager of the Monroe branch, Ray Giovanni, serves as the event’s treasurer.
“He’s the best,” Bent said. “We’re just pleased so many people helped us all along. We can’t thank them enough — and they’re from everywhere.”
On Monday, 60 golfers participated in the tournament. The Bents’ son, Matt, made the trip from Boston to attend, with his wife Nicole, and children, Atticus, 15, and Lyle, 12.
Of his late son, Joshua, Frank Bent said, “he would be pleased at the number of people we helped academically and medically. It was his personality to help people.”
By sharing his story, Slama said he hopes to inspire more people to become organ and tissue donors.
He glanced over at Nancy, who sat beside him. “I wouldn’t have been able to make it without my wife Nancy’s love and support,” Slama said. “I was 57 when I got the heart transplant. Here I am in 2025. I can’t believe it.”
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