Hockey great Gordie Howe’s funeral to be open to public

The idol of Wayne Gretzky and many others, Gordie Howe’s legacy also includes something truly badass: the Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Gordie Howe, a legendary figure in Detroit sports and widely acclaimed as one of the greatest hockey players in history, died Friday at 88.

Howe shattered records, dropped gloves and threw elbows while helping the Red Wings win those four championships. “He loved to be around people and to make them laugh”.

Murray Howe said Gordie Howe will be cremated, as was his wife, Colleen, who passed away in 2009. He is survived by his four children, Marty, Mark, Cathy and Murray, and nine grandchildren. She has met Howe many times and says she will always remember him as being very kind… “It’s a sad day”. “If you love it, you can overcome any handicap or the soreness or all the aches and pains, and continue to play for a long, long time.”.

Those who wish to pay their respects but cannot attend the visitation can join the thousands who have already shared their Mr. Hockey stories on the Red Wings’ “Gordie Howe Tributes” fan page on Facebook. Though Howe, who was suffering from declining health over the past few years, finally succumbed, his legacy and records all remain.

In 2014, Howe suffered a significant stroke while visiting his daughter in Lubbock, Texas. He also had a couple mini strokes after the stem cell treatment.

“Gordie’s greatness travels far beyond mere statistics”, National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “He was an incredible ambassador for the sport”, he said.

FILE – In this November 14, 2011, file photo, Hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe poses beside the Stanley Cup at the Hall of Fame in Toronto. She helped him live his dream of playing professional hockey with sons Mark and Marty in the World Hockey Association.