The province of Saskatchewan has approved an application to designate an area of SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon as a cemetery.
The designation removes the final obstacle in having the ashes of Gordie and Colleen Howe interred at the statue honouring Mr. Hockey.
READ MORE: Family wants Gordie and Colleen Howe interred in Saskatoon
The idea was proposed by Howe’s family earlier this month.
It is expected a private ceremony will be held on Sept. 25, a day that is being planned to honour the life and legacy of Howe.
Other events being planned for “Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day” include renaming the Circle Drive South Bridge and a pre-game ceremony that afternoon at SaskTel Centre before the Saskatoon Blades take on the Swift Current Broncos.
READ MORE: Honouring Gordie Howe with ‘Thank You, Mr. Hockey Day’
Gordie Howe was 88 when he died on June 10. His wife passed away on March 6, 2009 at the age of 76.
Howe was born in Floral, Sask., but his family moved to Saskatoon nine days later.
He left Saskatoon at the age of 16 to head to the United States to start a record-setting hockey career.
Howe is survived by his three sons, Marty, Mark and Murray, his daughter Kathleen and nine grandchildren.
READ MORE: Saskatoon city council votes to rename Circle Drive South Bridge after Gordie Howe
Marty Howe said some of his father’s ashes will be spread in Michigan’s Bear Lake, where a similar service was held for Colleen after her death in 2009.
“His favourite spots are going to have my mom and dad, and Saskatoon was one of them,” Howe said.
With files from The Associated Press
Comments