A Bridgeport veteran who died a year ago after a 13-year battle with prostate cancer was remembered through a swimming fundraiser ahead of Memorial Day.

The spirit of Jon Barnard was very much alive at Velo-CT in Norwalk Sunday, where Hartford Healthcare's Swim Across the Sound held the fundraiser in his memory.

"My dad was so proud to be a Navy veteran, and I was so proud to work with Hartford Healthcare's Swim Across the Sound to raise money for cancer patients in his memory," Anne Moreno told News 12.

The charity event drew swimmers from across the area and generated money, which the nonprofit will use to help cancer patients. The money will help with everything, from transportation to wigs to cash assistance.

"My father received help through this amazing organization and it's wonderful to know that today's event will help other cancer patients like him," Moreno said.

Swim Across the Sound is generally associated with the charity's big annual event where people swim across Long Island Sound to help cancer patients.

The nonprofit, however, held this smaller fundraiser to honor a proud veteran on Memorial Day.

"It was wonderful and I'm so happy," Moreno said.

To donate to Swim Across The Sound, follow this link.