Walter Gretzky, Father of Wayne Dies at Age 82

Wayne confirmed the passing of his father on Twitter, stating how his father was his true inspiration when getting involved with hockey, and calling Walter “the Great One," a title often associated with Wayne. Walter would often be seen at games, practices, and any other form of hockey he could be at, to support his son. As such, when mentioning the name, Wayne Gretzky, it is hard to not also think of his father Walter Gretzky.

Walter Gretzky was a down-to-earth man

Walter was a very down-to-earth man, helping in minor hockey in his hometown of Brantford, Ontario, where he would make an impression on these young kids, teaching them his method of hard work paying off. Working with the minor hockey league in Brantford helped him to recover after suffering a stroke at age 53 where he was not expected to survive. After miraculously surviving, he became more outgoing, quit smoking, and took up many activities.

Walter will forever be remembered through the impact he made on this world, having worked tirelessly with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, being named to the Order of Canada in 2007, writing an autobiography entitled “Walter Gretzky: On Family, Hockey and Healing" as well as collaborating on multiple other books about his son, carrying the Olympic Torch, and the many lives he touched during his time on this earth.

While the hockey world mourns, our condolences go out to Walter"s family, his five children, and 13 grandchildren, as well as those who were close to him. He will be missed dearly and remembered eternally by those who loved him.

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