The family of Gordie and Colleen Howe want the cremated remains of their parents to be interred at the base of a statue located in Saskatoon that honours Mr. Hockey.
“When Gordie and Colleen Howe’s family approached us with this idea, we thought it was a fitting tribute to someone who had always remembered his roots,” said Catherine Gryba, the city’s general manager of corporate performance.
“It’s only appropriate that we do what we can to remember this great athlete, Saskatonian and Canadian.”
READ MORE: Honouring Gordie Howe with ‘Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day’
In order to make this possible, the city needs to apply to the Saskatchewan government to have the statue located at SaskTel Centre and an adjacent area declared a cemetery.
“We’ve been speaking with the Howe family and will take the appropriate steps to safeguard and respect Gordie and Colleen’s ashes,” Gryba said.
“They will be encased in a special concrete vessel with a commemorative plaque on top to protect them.”
READ MORE: Gordie Howe’s life in Saskatoon: The early years of Mr. Hockey
Gordie Howe was born in Floral, Sask., but his family moved to Saskatoon nine days later.
He lived in the city for 16 years before heading to the United States on a record-setting career.
Howe died on June 10 at the age of 88. His wife Colleen passed away on March 6, 2009 at the age of 76.
SaskTel Centre has offered to pay up to $6,000 to cover costs, with the Saskatoon Blades covering any amount over that.
READ MORE: Saskatoon city council votes to rename Circle Drive South Bridge after Gordie Howe
Numerous facilities in Saskatoon have been named after Howe, the most recent being the renaming of the Circle Drive South Bridge to Gordie Howe Bridge shortly after his death.
A special day is being planned by the Blades for Sept. 25. to honour Gordie Howe.
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