Posted on 12/19/2005 9:12:56 PM PST by Christian4Bush
Please forgive if this is in the wrong place...
Bob Miller, longtime voice of the hockey Los Angeles Kings, just announced on Fox Sports Net that Wayne Gretzky's mother, Phyllis, has passed away.
Gretzky, the highest scoring player in NHL history, and coach of the Pacific Division Phoenix Coyotes, had taken an indefinite leave of absence just days ago, to attend to his mother. Assistant Rick Tocchet, himself a former hockey player and King, was to assume the reins until Gretzky's return.
The Kings have extended their organization's thoughts, prayers and condolences to the Gretzky family.
I'm sure there will be more information on AP and at NHL.com. Again, apologies if this post is in the wrong place.
Thoughts and prayers sent to the family.
RIP...but breaking news? Jeez. Slow news day.
Sad, yes, but sometimes it is a blessing to go quickly than to linger in pain for a long time.
Condolences.
Thoughts and Prayers to Wayne and his family
It is doubly sad when this happens around Christmas time.
I'm glad he got to be with her.
peyton, the man is a public figure, and he has just lost his mother. plus, since it was just announced, it was "breaking". your compassion is overwhelming.
For those others who are interested, here is the AP story:
Phyllis Gretzky, mother of Wayne Gretzky, dies
December 19, 2005
TORONTO (AP) -- Phyllis Gretzky, the mother of hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, died Monday night, the Phoenix Coyotes said. She was 64.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer late in 2004 and died two nights after her son took an indefinite leave of absence as coach of the Coyotes to return home to Ontario to be with her.
"Throughout my career, she was in the background but she was the glue," Wayne Gretzky said at the time of his mother's diagnosis. "She's always been the toughest in the family."
The 43-year-old Gretzky, the NHL's career leading scorer, left the Coyotes on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
He also is the executive director of Canada's Olympic hockey team, which is expected to announce its roster for the Turin Games on Wednesday.
It is not known when or if he will return to those jobs.
The down-to-earth mother of five was perhaps the least known of the Gretzky family as she tried to maintain privacy for her children amid the spotlight of Wayne's celebrity status.
Wayne Gretzky's phenomenal success created much curiosity about the family. His father was comfortable in the public eye, while his mother preferred to keep a low profile. She sought to maintain a normal lifestyle, and the community around her respected that.
Phyllis Hockin was born and raised in Paris, Ontario, of British ancestry. She was a descendant of Isaac Brock, a general with British forces during the War of 1812.
She met her future husband when she was 15, and the couple was married three years later in 1960. Wayne was her first-born child, and he learned how to play hockey on a backyard rink. She would drive her children to early-morning hockey practices. Her husband, Walter, would go to games after work in the evenings.
She is survived by her husband, all five children and 12 grandchildren.
Breaking news??
I had the pleasure of meeting Wayne once, briefly, back in the '80's. A gentleman and a great Canadian and a legendary sportsman. And a genuinely nice guy, the sort of fellow you'd like to have as a next door neighbor. If you didn't know he was the Greatest Ice Hockey Player who ever lived, he'd never tell you, and you'd never guess.
Condolences from my family, Wayne. I am sorry for your loss. Prayers going up.
I agree. It must be incredibly hard for families to celebrate a holiday when a loved one died on or near the holiday.
God Bless
"The Great One" always gave thanks for his folks. They were always supportive. He must be heart broken.
Thoughts and Prayers.
We are proud here in Phoenix to have
Coach Gretzsky here.
We weep with him in the loss of his
mother and pray God will comfort
him and his family.
I've only heard good stories about him. As far as I know, he's never let the titles, incredible stats, media hype etc. go to his head. He remains an absolute class act.
My condolences, Wayne. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Read #9. Then go away. It was "breaking" when I posted it.
I'm with you....I don't understand some people.
If you don't care, then GTF off the thread. Apparently there are those who do care.
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